ABSTRACT
There are a number of well-developed technologies such as aluminum manufacturing, chlorine and caustic production, electrodeposition, the use of electrochemical sensor, and so on, which are governed by electrochemical processes. These technologies and their electrochemical science and engineering background are described in a number of published books [1-3] and are not covered in this book. Most recently, electrochemical energy conversion and storage technologies have obtained a particular attention [4]. This is due to, for example, a pressing need to develop electric, hybrid, and fuel cell vehicles and by this way to reduce the greenhouse gas emission, to slow down global warming, to improve energy security, and to develop a more sustainable society. Another example is developing a large-scale electric storage ( batteries) [5] for a variety of electric grid applications. The main objective of this chapter is to demonstrate how electrochemical thermodynamics and kinetics can be used for analyzing an electrochemical energy conversion system. Fuel cells and corresponding electrolytic cells are used as examples. The materials previously covered in this book are used to analyze the performance (current density-potentialdependence) of the electrochemical systems and their ef†ciency. The heat balance of the electrochemical cells is also brie«y discussed.
