Fuel CellsKendra Lena

FYSM Science and the ConsumerDr. Moyer

What are fuel cells?• Devices that generate electricity from chemical

reactions• The reactions take place between electrodes• Catalyst• Electrolyte• 5 Types• Alkali, Molten Carbonate (MCFC), Phosphoric Acid

(PAFC), Proton Exchanging Membrane (PEM), Solid Oxide (SOFC)

How do they work?

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_PEM.shtml

Background Information

http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/about-fuel-cells/history

Science and Technology

• Transportation Power• Cars, vans, trucks, busses, trains, trams,

ferries, small boats, small aircraft

• Portable Power• Military applications, small personal

electronics, large personal electronics

• Stationary Power• Replace power grids

Advantages

• Higher efficiency• Silently operate• Less pollution• Lessens dependency on foreign oil• Hydrogen is accessible• Military benefits

Advantages

• Longer operation time• Easy maintenance• No “memory effect” when getting fueled

Disadvantages

• Expensive• Difficulty transporting hydrogen• Large in size• Lack of current infrastructure

Economics

• Fuel Cell Cost Migration Path

• Currently more than $4,000 per kW

• Platinum currently $44.34 per gram

Government

• Hydrogen Fuel Initiative• 2003• President Bush• $1.2 Billion for research to develop clean,

hydrogen fueled automobiles• Less dependency on foreign oil• Attempt for large numbers of Americans to

use hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by 2020

Government• Hydrogen Fuel Initiative• "A simple chemical reaction between hydrogen and

oxygen generates energy, which can be used to power a car producing only water, not exhaust fumes. With a new national commitment, our scientists and engineers will overcome obstacles to taking these cars from laboratory to showroom so that the first car driven by a child born today could be powered by hydrogen, and pollution-free. Join me in this important innovation to make our air significantly cleaner, and our country much less dependent on foreign sources of energy.” - President Bush, State of the Union Address, January 28, 2003.

Social

• Less dependence on oil• Less pollution• Less dependence on foreign countries

• Fuel Cell Vehicles for future• Basis of future automobile constructional

design changes

Future• Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs)• Pure hydrogen (liquid or gas)• Fuel cell stack• PEMFC current most studied fuel cell type

• Problems• Complicated hydrogen storage (high costs, large volume)• No transportation oriented distribution options

• Advantages• High electric efficiency• Zero emissions using hydrogen• Mechanical simplicity (less noise, less maintenance)

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fuelcell.shtml

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fuelcell.shtml

Future

• Honda FCX Clarity• Emits only water vapor• Propelled by electricity• Generated by hydrogen fuel• http://automobiles.honda.com/fcx-clarity/

• BMW 7 Series Large Sedan• Currently in trials of a new 6.0 Liter V12 gasoline

hydrogen powered model of the 7 series

Future

ftp://ftp.jrc.es/pub/EURdoc/eur20681en.pdf

FAQs• How large would fuel cells be in homes?• 5kW, size of a washing machine

• When will we see common usage of FCVs?• Many manufacturers are set to commercially develop fuel

cell vehicles in 2015

• Who are the world leaders in fuel cell research?• The US, Japan, and Germany are ahead in worldwide fuel

cell infrastructure and development

• What type of infrastructure is necessary for FCVs?• California: 68 stations statewide needed for hydrogen

refueling

Works Cited• http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/annual_progress12_fuelcells.html• http://americanhistory.si.edu/fuelcells/intro.htm• http://www.engsoc.org/~bbarnes/temp/societal_impacts_fuel_cell.pdf• http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/fuel-cell-

profile/• http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_PEM.shtml• http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/about-fuel-cells/history• http://www.altenergy.org/renewables/fuel_cells.html• http://www.nfcrc.uci.edu/2/FUEL_CELL_INFORMATION/FCexplained/challenges.aspx• http://www.nfcrc.uci.edu/2/FUEL_CELL_INFORMATION/FCexplained/migpath.aspx• http://automobiles.honda.com/fcx-clarity/• http://www.green-technology.org/green_technology_magazine/index.php?cID=134• http://climate.nasa.gov/effects