Hydrogen Fuel CellHydrogen Fuel Cell

By: Matthew BuzaBy: Matthew Buza

Time for a ChangeTime for a ChangeWhats wrong with what we Whats wrong with what we have now?have now?What are the alternatives?What are the alternatives?The benefits with The benefits with developing Hydrogen Fuel developing Hydrogen Fuel Cells, and what good will it Cells, and what good will it bring.bring.What exactly is a hydrogen What exactly is a hydrogen fuel cell. fuel cell. Breakdown of specific Breakdown of specific systems, the details behind systems, the details behind the magic.the magic.What are the commercial What are the commercial applications of these applications of these systems.systems.How they will work to help How they will work to help us in the future.us in the future.

When its your Time?When its your Time?

We have come to the realization that We have come to the realization that oil and petroleum energy sources have oil and petroleum energy sources have to go, including coal.to go, including coal.

Problem is that the infrastructure is set Problem is that the infrastructure is set for petroleum resources, and stubborn for petroleum resources, and stubborn to change.to change.

Third world nations are nowhere near Third world nations are nowhere near changing from the cheap and easy oil changing from the cheap and easy oil energy sources. Not in their interest.energy sources. Not in their interest.

Money and time will be needed to Money and time will be needed to change this, major effort must be taken change this, major effort must be taken by whole world.by whole world.

President Bush, call for alternative President Bush, call for alternative fuels and specifically fuel cells.fuels and specifically fuel cells.

Problems?Problems?

Main problem is the pollution of greenhouse Main problem is the pollution of greenhouse gases. Causing destruction to the o-zone. gases. Causing destruction to the o-zone.

Problems with greenhouse effects and global Problems with greenhouse effects and global warming. And rising sea levels.warming. And rising sea levels.

Human Health, with asthma, lung and repertory Human Health, with asthma, lung and repertory problems, possible connection with illness, and problems, possible connection with illness, and speculation of cancer.speculation of cancer.

What alternatives do we have?What alternatives do we have?

Nuclear Power: Most efficient, lots of Nuclear Power: Most efficient, lots of energy, with little waste. Problem: the energy, with little waste. Problem: the waste is very dangerous, public fear.waste is very dangerous, public fear.

Solar Power: Cheaper, good amounts Solar Power: Cheaper, good amounts of energy, long life, no waste. Problem: of energy, long life, no waste. Problem: Too big to be practical, too many for Too big to be practical, too many for large scale use.large scale use.

Wind-Turbine: Little to no danger with Wind-Turbine: Little to no danger with use, good amount of energy Problem: use, good amount of energy Problem: Too many to be effective, unsightly, Too many to be effective, unsightly, subject to weather.subject to weather.

Fuel Cells: Powerful, simple design, Fuel Cells: Powerful, simple design, transferable (size), lots of power, transferable (size), lots of power, waste is water, lots of development waste is water, lots of development with government and NASA. Problem: with government and NASA. Problem: save transfer of hydrogen.save transfer of hydrogen.

Why Fuel Cells?Why Fuel Cells?

Termed the “Micro chip of the energy industry”Termed the “Micro chip of the energy industry”

Reasonable to expect almost every power producing device in the world to be Reasonable to expect almost every power producing device in the world to be replaced by fuel cell devices in the next 50-80 years.replaced by fuel cell devices in the next 50-80 years.

Market potential is in the Market potential is in the TrillionsTrillions for such an endeavor. for such an endeavor.

Two important Advantages of fuel cells is that they produce no pollution emissions Two important Advantages of fuel cells is that they produce no pollution emissions or greenhouse gases, do not require supplies of foreign oil.or greenhouse gases, do not require supplies of foreign oil.

Needs Hydrogen and Oxygen, and emits water.Needs Hydrogen and Oxygen, and emits water.

Biologically Friendly, Slow down the pollution, and begin to change the destruction.Biologically Friendly, Slow down the pollution, and begin to change the destruction.

What is a Hydrogen Fuel Cell?What is a Hydrogen Fuel Cell?

A Fuel Cell is an Electrochemical device that produces electricity.A Fuel Cell is an Electrochemical device that produces electricity.

That’s Right it’s a BATTERY!!!That’s Right it’s a BATTERY!!!

Unlike a battery the reaction is sustained as long as the cell is being Unlike a battery the reaction is sustained as long as the cell is being supplied by fuel. supplied by fuel.

The reaction happens at relatively low temperatures, and no The reaction happens at relatively low temperatures, and no combustion takes place in the fuel cell. combustion takes place in the fuel cell.

In the Fuel cell the hydrogen is the primary fuel. When the hydrogen In the Fuel cell the hydrogen is the primary fuel. When the hydrogen is introduced a chemical reaction between hydrogen and air is introduced a chemical reaction between hydrogen and air produces electricity, pure water and some heat. produces electricity, pure water and some heat.

The electricity is driven through a motor which powers your device. The electricity is driven through a motor which powers your device. The electricity comes back to form the water with the H+ ions and The electricity comes back to form the water with the H+ ions and the oxygen.the oxygen.

Types of Fuel CellsTypes of Fuel Cells

Phosphoric AcidPhosphoric Acid: very popular in commercial use today: very popular in commercial use today

Motlen Carbonate (MCFC):Motlen Carbonate (MCFC): liquid solution of lithium, sodium, and/or liquid solution of lithium, sodium, and/or potassium carbonates. Promise is high efficiency, but high temps.potassium carbonates. Promise is high efficiency, but high temps.

Alkaline:Alkaline: Widely used in military and NASA. Every mission from Gemini to Widely used in military and NASA. Every mission from Gemini to now, has this type of fuel cell on it now, has this type of fuel cell on it for water/ electricity for water/ electricity

PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane):PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane): Operates at low temperatures, and has Operates at low temperatures, and has a very high power density. Can vary power output quickly to meet power a very high power density. Can vary power output quickly to meet power demandsdemands– good for light duty vehicles, buildings, and possibly rechargeable batteries.good for light duty vehicles, buildings, and possibly rechargeable batteries.– Membrane is a thin plastic sheet that allows the H+ ions to flow through.Membrane is a thin plastic sheet that allows the H+ ions to flow through.– Membrane is coated on both sides by dispersed metal alloy, (Platinum).Membrane is coated on both sides by dispersed metal alloy, (Platinum).– Electrolyte is a solid organic polymer, helps with corrosion, and management Electrolyte is a solid organic polymer, helps with corrosion, and management

problems.problems.

The Hydrogen Fuel CycleThe Hydrogen Fuel Cycle

Anode: H2(g) -> 2H+(aq) + 2e- Cathode: ½O2(g) + 2H+(aq) + 2e- -> H2O(l)

What can it be used for?What can it be used for?

The Fuel Cell produces electricity The Fuel Cell produces electricity directly from hydrogen fuel, it can be directly from hydrogen fuel, it can be used for anything that uses power in used for anything that uses power in the form of electricity, rotary power or the form of electricity, rotary power or heat. heat.

They can be made to be small enough They can be made to be small enough to power a cellular phone or large to power a cellular phone or large enough to power a town. The benefit is enough to power a town. The benefit is that the design of the system does not that the design of the system does not change.change.

Therefore the markets for fuel cells is Therefore the markets for fuel cells is virtually unlimited.virtually unlimited.

Challenges ahead.Challenges ahead.

The The cost cost to make the systems, the cost of development and adaptation. to make the systems, the cost of development and adaptation. The catalysts require expensive precious-metal catalysts, and others need The catalysts require expensive precious-metal catalysts, and others need to be resistant to very high temperatures.to be resistant to very high temperatures.

Durability and DependabilityDurability and Dependability, the high temperatures cells are prone to , the high temperatures cells are prone to breakdown, need efective water management systems to operate efficiently.breakdown, need efective water management systems to operate efficiently.

Fuel Issues:Fuel Issues:– ProductionProduction– DeliveryDelivery– StorageStorage– SafteySaftey

Public Acceptance, and consumer embrace of the products.Public Acceptance, and consumer embrace of the products.