Chemistry Issue Investigation 2

8/13/2019 Chemistry Issue Investigation 2

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CHEMISTRY ISSUE INVESTIGATION

DETAIL OUTLINE

Is hydrogen fuel cell a viable alternative to petrol powered car?

Introduction

Define Hydrogen Fuel cell

- Hydrogen Fuel cell - electrochemical energy conversion device - Converts hydrogen and oxygen into water -produces electricity - Hydrogen and oxygen constantly flow into the cell electricity flows out

Why hydrogen fuel cell is socially relevant

- scarcity of fuels

- prices -continuously rising- causing negative impact to the environment.

Thesis Statement

- Hydrogen fuel cells -highly efficient in both electrically and physically

Chemical Background of Hydrogen Fuel Cell

FIGURE 1. Schematic diagram of a hydrogen-PEM fuel cell. The proton exchange membrane (PEM) allows H + ions generated by H 2 oxidation at the anode to migrate to the cathode, where H 2O is formed


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- Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell is used in cars also referred asPolymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell.

- Hydrogen gas produced from burning of coal and fossil fuels, the process isknown as Gasification .

- Gasification mixing coal with oxygen, air or steam at approximately 870 oC withoutletting combustion occur (partial oxidation).

- End product of gasification hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide- Oxygen gas- produced from the process of electrolysis of H 2O.- Gas transferred into the site where electrochemical reaction occurs- Combining transfer ions and electrons at the cathode- Diffuse through the electrode- Liquid is produced at the surface of the electrolyte

- At the anode,H2 2H + + 2e -

- At the cathode,

2H + + O 2 + 2e - H2O

- Overall equation,

H2 + O 2 H2O

- Hydrogen gas diffuse into anode passes through thin platinum coating of catalyst- Ions of hydrogen molecules are separated.

- Electrons

pass through anode

travel towards cathode of fuel cell- Movement of electrons produces electricity.- Single fuel cell stacked together to form a larger functioning unit.

Point Of View

- Advantages of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Compared to Petrol Cars

o Hydrogen fuel cells are renewable whereas petrol cars are non-

renewable Hydrogen fuel cells-only obtain hydrogen and oxygen gas- renewablesource no combustion process

Petrol cars- burning of fossil fuels non-renewable

o Hydrogen fuel cells does not deplete non-renewable resources Alternative of extraction of hydrogen gas- electrolysis of water- end

product: electricity and water Petrol cars- involve the uses of non-renewable sources continuously

using may cause depletiono Hydrogen fuel cell does not produce any polluting gases


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Hydrogen fuel cell no emission of sulphur dioxide, which may lead toacid rain no emission of nitrogen oxides which produce smog or dustparticulates.

In a petrol car burning of fossil fuels- produce harmful wasteproducts- causes global warming, acid rain and greenhouse effect.

- Disadvantages of Hydrogen Fuel Cell

o Hydrogen fuel cell is costly Presence of pure reactants in the fuel cell Existence of precious metal- Platinum as a catalyst increase the cost

of a fuel cell.

o Limited storage capacity for hydrogen fuel

Heavier hydrogen fuel tank decrease the speed of the vehicle; Increase the inertia of the vehicle, decrease the effectiveness.

o Hydrogen fuel cell must be hydrated all the time Membrane of the fuel cell must be water saturated transfer of

hydrogen protons produces electricity Reduces effectiveness in low humidity, sub-zero temperature and

operates in high temperature.

- Alternative Point of View

o Hydrogen gas- extracted from gasification of coal or steam refining process.o At the end of the reaction emission of polluting gas, CO 2.o Defeat the purpose of using hydrogen fuel cell.

Figure 2. Graph comparing carbon dioxide emissions of cars, using different types of fuel sources.

1 Car with internal combustion engine2 Fuel cell car with hydrogen produced from coal generation3 Fuel cell car with gasoline reformer4 Fuel cell car with methanol reformer5 Fuel cell car using hydrogen from natural gas (distributed from urban retail outlets)6 Fuel cell car using hydrogen from natural gas (made at large refineries)


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Conclusion

- Hydrogen Fuel cell- delivered electrical without using non- renewable source- Should be encourage to protect the environment.

References

Bellis, 2000, Hydrogen Fuel Cells,

http://inventors.about.com/od/fstartinventions/a/Fuel_Cells_2.htm

Brown, Bursten, Lemay, Murphy & Woodward, 2012, Chemistry The Central Science, TwelfthEdition, ed. Adam Jaworski, Pearson Prentice Hall, United States of America, pp. 856-857.

Cook, 2001, An Introduction To Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technology , no.6, pp.26, accessed14 July 2013

http://fuelcellstore.com/products/heliocentris/intro.pdf

Dana1981, Teej, Stins, Jenifer, Neytie, 2008, Hydrogen Cars

http://www.greenoptions.com/a/hydrogen-cars

Davies, 2013, A Hydrogen-Powered Car Could Someday Be Sitting In Your Driveway

http://www.businessinsider.com/pro-con-future-of-hydrogen-fuel-cell-electric-vehicles-fcev-2013-4

Fuel cell hydrogen energy association, 2009, Hydrogen Production From Coal

http://www.fchea.org/core/import/PDFs/factsheets/Hydrogen%20Production%20From%20Coal_NEW.pdf

James Madison University, 2003, Alternative Fuel Data Center

http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/hydrogen_basics.html

Nice, Strickland, 2007, How Fuel Cells Work

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/alternative-fuels/fuel-cell4.htm
http://inventors.about.com/od/fstartinventions/a/Fuel_Cells_2.htmhttp://fuelcellstore.com/products/heliocentris/intro.pdfhttp://www.greenoptions.com/a/hydrogen-carshttp://www.businessinsider.com/pro-con-future-of-hydrogen-fuel-cell-electric-vehicles-fcev-2013-4http://www.fchea.org/core/import/PDFs/factsheets/Hydrogen%20Production%20From%20Coal_NEW.pdfhttp://www.fchea.org/core/import/PDFs/factsheets/Hydrogen%20Production%20From%20Coal_NEW.pdfhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/hydrogen_basics.htmlhttp://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/alternative-fuels/fuel-cell4.htmhttp://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/alternative-fuels/fuel-cell4.htmhttp://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/alternative-fuels/fuel-cell4.htmhttp://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/hydrogen_basics.htmlhttp://www.fchea.org/core/import/PDFs/factsheets/Hydrogen%20Production%20From%20Coal_NEW.pdfhttp://www.fchea.org/core/import/PDFs/factsheets/Hydrogen%20Production%20From%20Coal_NEW.pdfhttp://www.businessinsider.com/pro-con-future-of-hydrogen-fuel-cell-electric-vehicles-fcev-2013-4http://www.greenoptions.com/a/hydrogen-carshttp://fuelcellstore.com/products/heliocentris/intro.pdfhttp://inventors.about.com/od/fstartinventions/a/Fuel_Cells_2.htm


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Santany, 2007, How Does a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Work

http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4568949_hydrogen-fuel-cell-work.html

West, 2005, Is Hydrogen the Fuel of the Future?

http://environment.about.com/od/fossilfuels/a/fcv.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4568949_hydrogen-fuel-cell-work.htmlhttp://www.ehow.com/how-does_4568949_hydrogen-fuel-cell-work.htmlhttp://environment.about.com/od/fossilfuels/a/fcv.htmhttp://environment.about.com/od/fossilfuels/a/fcv.htmhttp://environment.about.com/od/fossilfuels/a/fcv.htmhttp://www.ehow.com/how-does_4568949_hydrogen-fuel-cell-work.html

Chemistry Issue Investigation 2

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