In this chapter the basic thermodynamic and electrochemical principles behind
fuel cell operation and technology are described. The basic electrochemistry principles
determining the operation of the fuel cell, the kinetics of redox reactions
during the fuel cell operation, the mass and energy transport in a fuel cell, etc., are
described briefly to give an understanding of practical fuel cell systems. The ideal
and practical operation of fuel cells and their efficiency are also described. This
will provide the framework to understand the electrochemical and thermodynamic
basics of the operation of fuel cells and how fuel cell performance can be influenced
by the operating conditions. The influence of thermodynamic variables like
pressure, temperature, and gas concentration, etc., on fuel cell performance has to
be analyzed and understood to predict how fuel cells interact with the systems
where it is applied. Understanding the impact of these variables allows system
analysis studies of a specific fuel cell application.