Trends in the Use of Fuel

Transcription

1 Hydrogen Fuel Cell

2 Trends in the Use of Fuel Wood Coal Oil Natural Gas Hydrogen Percentage of hydrogen content in fuel

3 19 th century: steam engine 20 th century: internal combustion engine 21 st century: fuel cells

4 In 2003, President Bush announced a program called the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative (HFI) during his State of the Union Address. The Hydrogen Fuel Initiative (HFI) aims to develop hydrogen, fuel cell and infrastructure technologies to make fuel-cell vehicles practical and cost-effective by The United States has dedicated more than one billion dollars to fuel cell research and development so far.

5 The History of Fuel Cells Electrolyser Grove s Gas Battery (first fuel cell, 1839) (after Larminie and Dicks, 2000)

6 Photo courtesy of University of Cambridge Bacon s laboratory in 1955

7 Photo courtesy of NASA NASA Space Shuttle fuel cell

8 Applications for Fuel Cells Transportation vehicles Photo courtesy of DaimlerChrysler NECAR 5

9 Applications for Fuel Cells Distributed power stations Photo courtesy of Ballard Power Systems 250 kw distributed cogeneration power plant

10 Applications for Fuel Cells Home power Photo courtesy of Plug Power 7 kw home cogeneration power plant

11 Applications for Fuel Cells Portable power 50 W portable fuel cell with metal hydride storage

12 The Science of Fuel Cells Alkaline (AFC) Phosphoric Acid (PAFC) Polymer Polymer Electrolyte Electrolyte Membrane (PEMFC) (PEMFC) Types of Fuel Cells Molten Carbonate (MCFC) Direct Methanol (DMFC) (DMFC) Solid Oxide (SOFC) (SOFC)

13 Basically, a fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device. A fuel cell converts the chemicals hydrogen and oxygen into water, and in the process it produces electricity. Anode: H 2 2H + + 2e - (oxidation) Cathode: 1/2 O 2 + 2e - + 2H + H 2 O (l) (reduction) Overall Reaction: H 2 + 1/2 0 2 H 2 O (l) ΔH = kj/mole

14 A Simple PEM Fuel Cell Hydrogen + Oxygen Electricity + Water Water

15 Parts of a Fuel Cell Heliocentris: Science education through fuel cells 15

16 Anode The anode is the negative post of the fuel cell, has two major jobs: It conducts the electrons that are freed from the hydrogen molecules so that they can be used in an external circuit. It has channels etched into it that disperse the hydrogen gas equally over the surface of the catalyst. Heliocentris: Science education through fuel cells 16

17 Cathode The cathode, is the positive post of the fuel cell: The cathode has channels etched into it that distribute the oxygen to the surface of the catalyst. Heliocentris: Science education through fuel cells 17

18 Electrolyte / Proton Exchange Membrane The electrolyte is the proton exchange membrane. This specially treated material only conducts positively charged ions. The membrane blocks electrons. For a PEMFC (Proton exchange membrane fuel cell), the membrane must be hydrated in order to function and remain stable. Heliocentris: Science education through fuel cells 18

19 Catalyst The catalyst is a special material that facilitates the reaction of oxygen and hydrogen. It is usually made of platinum nanoparticles very thinly coated onto carbon paper or cloth. The catalyst is rough and porous so that the maximum surface area of the platinum can be exposed to the hydrogen or oxygen Heliocentris: Science education through fuel cells 19

20 Heliocentris: Science education through fuel cells 20

21 Hydrogen Storage 56 l 14 l 9.9 l Compressed gas (200 bar) Liquid hydrogen MgH 2 metal hydride Liters to store 1 kg hydrogen

22 Hydrogen: Energy Forever H 2 H 2 Fuel tank Reformer Hydrogen bottles H 2 H 2 Solar panel Electrolyser Hydrogen bottles H 2 H 2 Algae Hydrogen bottles

23 Renewable Energy Sources Oxygen Solar Cell H 2 Storage Electrolyzer Oxygen Fuel Cell Wind Water Water Micro hydro As long as the sun shines, the wind blows, or the rivers flow, there can be clean, safe, and sustainable electrical power, where and when required, with a solar hydrogen energy system

24 The Benefits of Fuel Cells Clean Modular Quiet Benefits of Fuel Cells Sustainable Safe Efficient

25 Our Fragile Planet. We have the responsibility to mind the planet so that the extraordinary natural beauty of the Earth is preserved for generations to come. Heliocentris: Science education through fuel cells 25 Photo courtesy of NASA

26 Presentation courtesy of Heliocentris