A museum needs an emergency electricity supply for equipment that controls the temperature and humidity in its archive.
The emergency supply must operate the equipment continuously for at least 18 hours.
The museum is considering a hydrogen fuel cell system and a rechargeable battery system.
| Feature | Hydrogen fuel cell system | Rechargeable battery system |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum operating time at the required power | 32 hours | 21 hours |
| Time to return to full capacity after operating for 18 hours | 36 hours, including delivery of hydrogen | 8 hours using the museum's electricity supply |
| Source of energy | Hydrogen produced using fossil fuels | Electricity generated without burning fossil fuels |
| Additional equipment required | High-pressure hydrogen tank and safe pipework | Battery charger connected to the existing mains supply |
| Estimated total cost over 15 years, including installation | £79 000 | £87 000 |
Evaluate which system would be more suitable for the museum's emergency electricity supply.
Use the information in the table and your knowledge of chemistry.
90 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Chemistry 5.2 Chemical cells and fuel cells, covering 5.2.1 Cells and batteries, 5.2.2a Fuel cells, and 5.2.2b Half equations for hydrogen fuel cells. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.