Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trends in the Use of

Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Trends in the Use of Fuel

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

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 2020. The United States has dedicated more than one billion dollars to fuel cell research and development so far.

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

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

Photo courtesy of NASA Space Shuttle fuel cell

Applications for Fuel Cells Transportation vehicles Photo courtesy of Daimler. Chrysler NECAR 5

Applications. Distributed for Fuel Cells power stations Photo courtesy of Ballard Power Systems 250 k. W distributed cogeneration power plant

Applications for Fuel Cells Home power Photo courtesy of Plug Power 7 k. W home cogeneration power plant

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

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

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 2 H+ + 2 e- (oxidation) Cathode: 1/2 O 2 + 2 e- + 2 H+ H 2 O (l) (reduction) Overall Reaction: H 2 + 1/2 02 H 2 O (l) ΔH = - 285. 8 k. J/mole

A Simple PEM Fuel Cell Hydrogen + Oxygen Electricity + Water

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

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

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

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

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

Heliocentris: Science education through fuel cells 20

Hydrogen Storage 56 l 14 l 9. 9 l Compressed gas (200 bar) Liquid hydrogen Liters to store 1 kg hydrogen Mg. H 2 metal hydride

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

Renewable Energy Sources 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

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

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

Presentation courtesy of Heliocentris