Hydrogen Fuel Cell
By: Matthew Buza
Time for a Change
Whats wrong with what we
have now?
What are the alternatives?
The benefits with
developing Hydrogen Fuel
Cells, and what good will it
bring.
What exactly is a hydrogen
fuel cell.
Breakdown of specific
systems, the details behind
the magic.
What are the commercial
applications of these
systems.
How they will work to help
us in the future.
When its your Time?
We have come to the realization that
oil and petroleum energy sources have
to go, including coal.
Problem is that the infrastructure is set
for petroleum resources, and stubborn
to change.
Third world nations are nowhere near
changing from the cheap and easy oil
energy sources. Not in their interest.
Money and time will be needed to
change this, major effort must be
taken by whole world.
President Bush, call for alternative
fuels and specifically fuel cells.
Problems?
Main problem is the pollution of greenhouse
gases. Causing destruction to the o-zone.
Problems with greenhouse effects and global
warming. And rising sea levels.
Human Health, with asthma, lung and repertory
problems, possible connection with illness, and
speculation of cancer.
What alternatives do we have?
Nuclear Power: Most efficient, lots of
energy, with little waste. Problem: the
waste is very dangerous, public fear.
Solar Power: Cheaper, good amounts
of energy, long life, no waste. Problem:
Too big to be practical, too many for
large scale use.
Wind-Turbine: Little to no danger with
use, good amount of energy Problem:
Too many to be effective, unsightly,
subject to weather.
Fuel Cells: Powerful, simple design,
transferable (size), lots of power,
waste is water, lots of development
with government and NASA. Problem:
save transfer of hydrogen.
Why Fuel Cells?
Termed the “Micro chip of the energy industry”
Reasonable to expect almost every power producing device in the world to be
replaced by fuel cell devices in the next 50-80 years.
Market potential is in the Trillions for such an endeavor.
Two important Advantages of fuel cells is that they produce no pollution emissions
or greenhouse gases, do not require supplies of foreign oil.
Needs Hydrogen and Oxygen, and emits water.
Biologically Friendly, Slow down the pollution, and begin to change the destruction.
What is a Hydrogen Fuel Cell?
A Fuel Cell is an Electrochemical device that produces electricity.
That’s Right it’s a BATTERY!!!
Unlike a battery the reaction is sustained as long as the cell is being
supplied by fuel.
The reaction happens at relatively low temperatures, and no
combustion takes place in the fuel cell.
In the Fuel cell the hydrogen is the primary fuel. When the hydrogen
is introduced a chemical reaction between hydrogen and air
produces electricity, pure water and some heat.
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 oxygen.
Types of Fuel Cells
Phosphoric Acid: very popular in commercial use today
Motlen Carbonate (MCFC): liquid solution of lithium, sodium, and/or
potassium carbonates. Promise is high efficiency, but high temps.
Alkaline: Widely used in military and NASA. Every mission from Gemini to
now, has this type of fuel cell on it  for water/ electricity
PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane): Operates at low temperatures, and has
a very high power density. Can vary power output quickly to meet power
demands
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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 coated on both sides by dispersed metal alloy, (Platinum).
Electrolyte is a solid organic polymer, helps with corrosion, and management
problems.
The Hydrogen Fuel Cycle
Anode: H2(g) -> 2H+(aq) + 2eCathode: ½O2(g) + 2H+(aq) + 2e- -> H2O(l)
What can it be used for?
The Fuel Cell produces electricity
directly from hydrogen fuel, it can be
used for anything that uses power in
the form of electricity, rotary power or
heat.
They can be made to be small enough
to power a cellular phone or large
enough to power a town. The benefit is
that the design of the system does not
change.
Therefore the markets for fuel cells is
virtually unlimited.
Challenges ahead.
The cost to make the systems, the cost of development and adaptation.
The catalysts require expensive precious-metal catalysts, and others need
to be resistant to very high temperatures.
Durability and Dependability, the high temperatures cells are prone to
breakdown, need efective water management systems to operate efficiently.
Fuel Issues:
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Production
Delivery
Storage
Saftey
Public Acceptance, and consumer embrace of the products.