Eckert, 4:00
R02
HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS: ENDING THE DEPENDENCE ON FOSSIL FUELS
Jonathan Antonich (jja39@pitt.edu)
INTRODUCTION: “HYDROGEN FUEL
CELLS”: WORKING TO END THE SEARCH
FOR CLEAN FUEL
Since the beginning of the Second Industrial Revolution
in the 1860s, the nonrenewable resources, such as gasoline
and coal, have been used for the operation of automobiles
and machinery. As time has progressed, much controversy
has risen with the use of coal and gasoline for running
machines. One of the most prominent issues that came along
with the use of coal and gasoline for fuel is that many people
believe it is contributing to environmental problems such as
the thickening of the ozone layer and the reduction of air
quality throughout the world. Environmental Engineers have
often worked towards finding a cleaner source of fuel to
operate motor vehicles to counteract this problem. Although
the production of electrical powered cars has been
popularized over the past few years, they still rely on fossil
fuels once the electrical charge runs out. One more
promising method of eliminating the need for fossil fuels is
the use of Hydrogen fuel cells. Simplistically, Hydrogen fuel
cells are mechanisms that convert Hydrogen and Oxygen
into water while producing electricity that the car uses as
energy [1]. According to Rebecca Cheung, What makes this
a remarkable source of energy is that, “no harmful emissions
are released when hydrogen is burned; only water and
energy are produced” [2].
Although it may seem that the solution for the war
against the use of fossil fuels for energy has been conquered,
many issues remain that hinder the practical use of
Hydrogen fuel cells. The most detrimental issue that stops
the progress of developing Hydrogen fuel cells is that, in
recent years government funding towards the research and
development of Hydrogen fuel cells has been diminished [3].
Without proper funding, Hydrogen fuel cells will never be
able to be produced at an affordable cost in which they can
become common place among most cars in The United
States.
Additionally, another issue that presents itself as a
problem for the development of Hydrogen fuel cells is that
there may be a breach in the National Society of
Professional Engineer’s code of ethics, when it comes to the
use of Hydrogen fuel cells. All engineers are legally
obligated to obey codes of ethics such as the NSPE code of
ethics when they participate in things such as developing
new technologies or conduct research where the research
may interfere with the wellbeing of a living organism or the
environment. The significance in this rises in that, if all of
the canons in these codes of ethics are not met, then
University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering 1
Oct. 9, 2012
development of these new technologies is not allowed to
happen.
Throughout the process of typing a paper such as this,
there are many valuable resources that someone, such as a
freshman engineer, can acquire. These resources are vital to
any engineer hoping to gain a career in the field of
engineering in which their paper is written about. From the
gaining of knowledge about a specific engineering
discipline, to learning about new technologies that are being
developed and the issues surrounding them, there are many
valuable attributes to be gained by a freshman engineer by
typing a paper on a current engineering issue.
WHAT SPECIFICALLY ARE HYDROGEN
FUEL CELLS, AND WHY SHOULD AN
ENGINEER CARE ABOUT THEIR
DEVELOPMENT?
How Hydrogen Fuel Cells Operate
Hydrogen fuel cells are a specific model of a polymer
exchanging membrane fuel cell, which is a system that takes
a simple chemical reaction and converts the energy given off
by the reaction into electricity. The way this technology
works is that first, Hydrogen and Oxygen ions need to be
obtained. [1] There are many different ways of doing so, but
the primary way in which many companies do this is
through water electrolysis. Water electrolysis is the process
in which an electric current is ran through water. As long as
the water is not deionized or highly distilled, the Hydrogen
and Oxygen atoms of H2O will be ionized. The ionization of
these ions means that they are separated from one another
[1]. From here, the different Hydrogen and Oxygen ions can
be gathered and stored.
Once stored, the Hydrogen and Oxygen ions are placed
into the Hydrogen fuel cell. This fuel cell is also known as a
polymer exchange fuel cell, which converts the energy given
off by a chemical reaction into electricity. This electricity is
what actually powers the motor to run.
To produce this electricity, several actions need to take
place inside the fuel cell. First, the stored Hydrogen and
Oxygen ions are released into a proton exchange membrane
[1]. After the ions are released, the reaction is initiated by a
catalyst (usually heat). This starts the reaction between the
Hydrogen and Oxygen ions. Once this reaction has started,
the Hydrogen and Oxygen ions go through the anode of the
fuel cell. As the ions travel through the anode the synthesis
reaction of H+ + O2- → H2O takes place. While this reaction
is taking place, electricity is being produced and is being run
Jonathan Antonich
“When George W. Bush took office, he pushed a hydrogenpowered FreedomCAR” [5].
Although President Bush worked to increase upon
funding for Hydrogen fuel cells, this process has taken a
reverse in recent years.
through the circuit that is wired to the motor. The only
byproduct of this reaction is water [2].
Multiple amounts of these fuel cells are needed to create
enough electricity to actually run the automobile. This is
achieved by a process known as stacking [1]. Stacking is the
process in which multiple Hydrogen fuel cells are wired
together through multiple circuits so that they can effectively
run an automobile. Once several of the fuel cells are stacked,
they are able to generate enough electrical power to operate
a vehicle.
Energy/
Energy
Departmen
Efficiency
t/
and
Office
Renewabl
e Energy
The Importance of Hydrogen Fuel Cells to Engineers
Several aspects of engineering are utilized throughout the
process of constructing and utilizing the power produced by
Hydrogen fuel cells. First, mechanical engineers are needed
to manufacture the cells and make sure they are able to
operate correctly. Additionally, chemical engineers’ talents
must be utilized to produce the catalysts necessary to make
the chemical reaction among the Hydrogen and Oxygen
atoms proceed. Furthermore, electrical and computer
engineers are needed to wire the system so that the current
can effectively run the electrical energy into the motor of the
car [4].
Since many types of engineers are needed to efficiently
produce Hydrogen fuel cells, there are several reasons why
engineers should care if the federal funding towards
producing these cells is cut. First, if all of the federal funding
towards the production of these cells is cut, than the
production and development of new Hydrogen fuel cells will
be halted. This will cause most of the jobs that engineers
have towards the production of Hydrogen Fuel cells to be
lost. Also, since there will be no federal funding, research
towards Hydrogen fuel cells will be diminished and this
valuable source of energy will be rendered useless. As
Hydrogen fuel cells are the closest form of practical
renewable energy that can effectively run an automobile;
this will also stop the progress towards eliminating the need
for fossil fuels, which has been troubling environmental
engineers for decades. In addition, the breaking of several
ethical codes may also stop the manufacturing of Hydrogen
fuel cells.
Energy
/
Fossil
Energy
(Coal)a
Energy
/
Energy
Nuclea /
Total
r
Science
Energy
6,201
0.0b
FY04
144,881
4,879
FY05
166,722
16,518 8,682
FY06
153,451
21,036 24,057 32,500 231,044
FY07
189,511
21,513 18,855 36,388 266,267
FY08
206,241
14,891 9,668
36,483 267,283
FY09
195,865
20,151 7,340
38,284 261,640
FY10
170,297
13,970 5,000
38,053 227,320
FY11
95,847
11,394 2,800
34,611 144,652
FY12
101,087
0
˜34,611
0
155,961
29,183 221,155
˜135,69
8
FY13
77,850
0
0
TBD
TBD
Request
Figure 1, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Budget ($ in thousands)
[6]
From the chart presented above, the amount of funding
towards renewable energy peaked in 2008; and it has slowly
declined since, reaching an all-time low for the request of
the fiscal year of 2013. This trend also shows no indication
of changing, and is heading towards having the funding
toward renewable energy research and development
completely eliminated.
ETHICAL ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH
THE MANUFACTURING AND USE OF
HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS
A MORE DETAILED LOOK AT THE
DECREASE IN FUNDING FOR HYDROGEN
FUEL CELLS
When it comes to producing and using Hydrogen fuel
cells, many issues exist in the field of ethics that my halt the
ability to produce these fuel cells. As stated before, all
engineers need to follow certain codes of ethics when it
comes to producing new technologies such as Hydrogen fuel
cells. Codes of ethics that are included for the production of
Hydrogen Fuel Cells include, but are not limited to, The
National Society of Professional Engineers code of ethics
and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers code of
ethics.
Along with all brand new technologies that are produced,
come a set of issues that attempt to hinder their
development. This also holds true with Hydrogen fuel cells.
Since the first prototypes of Hydrogen fuel cells were
introduced to the American public, a debate over whether
the federal government should aid these machines has
ensued. According to Chicago Tribune writer Greg Burns,
2
Jonathan Antonich
The National Society of Professional Engineers code of
ethics is the legally binding code of ethics that needs to be
followed by all engineers regardless of what engineering
discipline they are practicing. The six fundamental canons of
this code of ethics that layout the groundwork for this code
of ethics is: to “hold paramount the safety, health, and
welfare of the public, perform services only in areas of their
competence, issue public statements only in an objective and
truthful manner, act for each employer or client as faithful
agents or trustees, avoid deceptive acts, and to conduct
themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so
as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the
profession” [7]. All of these canons must be accounted for
by all engineers while demonstrating their practice.
Throughout this code of ethics though, there are certain rules
that may be violated by violated by the development of
Hydrogen fuel cells. A specific rule of practice in this code
of ethics that has the possibility of being breached is, Section
2.1; that states that “Engineers shall hold paramount the
safety, health, and welfare of the public” [7]. This rule is
breached in the fact that many skeptics of Hydrogen fuel
cells believe that, “Escaped hydrogen could build up,
depleting the ozone layer near the North and South poles and
triggering an increase in global warming” [8]. If the use of
Hydrogen fuel cells contributed to the depletion of the ozone
layer, this breaks the rule in section 2.1, because the
environment is being harmed with the use of this new
technology. Another example of how this code of ethics may
be broken is that Section 3.2 states, “Engineers shall at all
times strive to serve the public interest” [7]. This specific
rule may be broken due to the decrease in the interest of
Hydrogen fuel cells. If the development of Hydrogen Fuel
Cells is no longer wanted by the general public, then
producing them would be unethical according to the NSPE.
Another code of ethics that may be infringed upon with
the use of Hydrogen fuel cells is the American Institute of
Chemical Engineers code of ethics. This code of ethics
provides the guidelines that all Chemical Engineers in the
United States must follow with their area of expertise [9]. A
specific example of this code of ethics being broken is that
this code of ethics states that Chemical Engineers must
demonstrate their practice by, “Using their knowledge and
skill for the enhancement of human welfare” [9]. Due to the
environmental issues presented with the use of Hydrogen
fuel cells, such as the ability of escaped Hydrogen to deplete
the ozone layer, the production of Hydrogen fuel cells may
cause more harm than good for the environment. This has
not yet been proven, but if it does this specific rule in this
code of ethics has been breached.
Although there are some grey areas in the code of ethics
for Engineers that may be broken by the manufacturing and
practice of Hydrogen fuel cells, these issues can be fixed
rather easily. These ethical issues are also not so severe that
they cannot be fixed. With proper care in the use of
Hydrogen fuel cells and a strengthening of public interest,
the production and use of Hydrogen fuel cells can abide to
all of the divisions in the NSPE and AIChE code of ethics.
THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE OF THIS
ASSIGNMENT
Throughout typing this paper on the development of
Hydrogen fuel cells and issues surrounding it, I have learned
several things about this specific technology and engineering
as a whole, which I would not have otherwise known. In
example, I have learned about multiple codes of ethics in
which all engineers in have to abide by, to develop new
technologies such as Hydrogen fuel cells. Also, I have
learned the specific process in producing Hydrogen fuel
cells, and how many different disciplines have of
engineering have to contribute for a Hydrogen fuel cell to be
efficiently manufactured.
Since I personally have learned a large deal of
information that applies to my field of engineering, I believe
that having to construct a paper like this is a very useful tool
for freshman engineers. According to Dr. Janet de Wilde
who is the head of STEM, an engineering curriculum
development company, an engineering curriculum should
“provide information and resources relating to pedagogic
research as it relates to engineering and materials, and
directly engage with pedagogical research activities” [10]. In
my belief, a research paper such as this proves to be a
valuable asset that teaches students about new research and
other important aspects of engineering. I believe that other
universities should develop an assignment similar to this
one, so that their students can also be given an opportunity
to learn this valuable information, just as I was presented
with this opportunity.
CONCLUSION: WHY HYDROGEN FUEL
CELLS DESERVE TO BE
MANFUCATURED AND USED
Hydrogen fuel cells prove to be an important and
versatile resource to helping eliminate the reliance on fossil
fuels for the operation of automobiles. By using a reaction
amongst Hydrogen and Oxygen ions to convert electricity
into pure energy, with only water as a byproduct, Hydrogen
fuel cells eliminate the release of harmful chemicals due to
the running of automobiles. This new technology is a large
step in the right direction to having a clean fuel source to run
cars and other automobiles.
Although Hydrogen fuel cells are readily able to be
developed at a mass quantity, several issues exist that hinder
their production. First, as an attempt to decrease government
spending, the federal government is slowly diminishing the
funding that is being allocated towards research for
renewable energy sources such as Hydrogen fuel cells. Also,
a large amount of people believe that several aspects of
manufacturing Hydrogen fuel cells interrupt with the ethical
3
Jonathan Antonich
boundaries that are set in engineering. For example, if
Hydrogen were to leak from these cells, then this could
contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer and aid global
warming. Likewise, over the past several years the public
interest in Hydrogen fuel cells has dropped. In accordance to
the AIChe code of ethics, research should only be conducted
on topics that interest the public as a whole.
Finally, this paper has provided me with several new bits
of information about engineering that I had not previously
known. I have gained knowledge about the specific aspects
of engineering used in making Hydrogen fuel cells, along
with the ethical issues an engineer may encounter when
conducting research and developing new technologies. I
believe that all freshman engineers in the country should
have to type a research paper such as this, so they too can
acquire important information on topics such as this.
Throughout the construction of this paper, several people
have helped me along the way. I would first like to than my
Engineering Analysis instructor, Chad Eckert, for helping
me choose the topic for which I typed my paper. Also, I
would like to thank Jake Fosatti for helping me decide what
relevant information from my research I should include in
my paper.
REFERENCES
[1] (2012). “Fuel Cell Vehicles” Energy U.S. Department of
Energy,
(Website).
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fuelcell.shtml
[2]R. Cheung. (April 21, 2012). “Better Hydrogen Storage
Process Unveiled. ”Science News: Magazine of the Society
for Science & The Public. (Online Article).
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/339230/title/Be
tter_hydrogen_storage_process_unveiled
[3] S. Levine. (May 17, 2012). “Giving Hydrogen Fuel-Cell
Cars Another Chance.” Slate Magazine. (Online Article).
http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2012/
05/hydrogen_fuel_cell_vehicles_and_the_obama_administra
tion_.html
[4] Purdue University (2010, June 18). “New process is
promising for hydrogen fuel cell cars.” ScienceDaily.
(Online
Article).
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100616102902.html
[5] G. Burns. (June 03, 2010). “Hydrogen fuel cells give
way to electric cars” Chicago Tribune. (Online Article).
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/burns-on-business/
[6] (2012). “Budget.” U.S. Department of Energy. (Online
Chart). http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/budget.html
[7] (2012, October 28) “NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineer”
NSPE.
(website).
http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/CodeofEthics/index.html
[8] (2011) “The Future of Fuel” PBS. (online article).
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/hydrogen/interactive.h
tml
[9] (2012, October) “Code of Ethics” American Institute of
Chemical
Engineers
(website).
http://www.aiche.org/about/code-ethics
[10] (2010) “Engineering” The Higher Education Academy.
(Article).
http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/disciplines/engineering
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
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