WHAT IS HYDROGEN FUEL AND CAN IT BE A
FUEL FOR THE FUTURE OF
TRANSPORTATION
By: Ryan Tadlock
HOW IS HYDROGEN FUEL CREATED
•
“A fuel cell is a device that uses hydrogen and oxygen to create electricity by an
electrochemical process.” (Energy.gov,2014)
• “This reaction produces electricity, water, and heat.”
•
There are many different types of fuel cells but the PEM fuel cell is the one used in
vehicles.
PEM FUEL CELL SYSTEM
(PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE OR POLYMER ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE)
“PEM fuel cells are powered by pure hydrogen or reformate.” (Honda Case study,2011)
PEM fuel cells are used to power vehicles.
Honda Case Study: The Future of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars, Dec2011, p1-20, 20p Diagram; found on p6
WHERE IS HYDROGEN FUEL
CELL TECHNOLOGY USED
•
“Fuel cell technology is extensively developed in the European Union, Japan, and the
U.S.” (Honda Case study,2011)
•
“Fuel cells are used to generate electricity and hot water on board space crafts.”(Honda
Case study, 2011)
•
In fact, “Fuel cells have already been used in the Apollo space program.” (Honda
Case study,2011)
•
“Fuel cells are unique in terms of the variety of their potential applications; they can
provide energy for systems as large as a utility power station and as small as a laptop
computer.” (Energy.gov,2014)
•
“Fuel cell technology has only recently began developing for the consumer market.”
(Honda Case Study, 2011)
• The reason for the development is due to a demand for highly efficient and clean
sources of energy.
BENEFITS OF HYDROGEN FUEL FOR
TRANSPORTATION
•
“No moving parts” (Honda Case Study,2011).
•
“Works quietly and without vibration” (Honda Case Study,2011).
•
“High reliability” (Honda Case Study,2011).
•
“Minimal greenhouse gas emissions” ("Fuel Cell Vehicles,“2014).
•
“Reduces oil dependence” ("Fuel Cell Vehicles,“2014).
•
“Less air pollutants” ("Fuel Cell Vehicles,“2014).
CHALLENGES OF HYDROGEN FUEL FOR
TRANSPORTATION
•
Lack of infrastructure.
• Getting Hydrogen to Consumers (“Fuel Cell Vehicles,”2014)
• “Hydrogen fuel is more expensive than crude oil because there is no infrastructure in
place yet” (Honda Case Study,2011)
•
Vehicle Cost ("Fuel Cell Vehicles,“2014).
•
Onboard hydrogen storage ("Fuel Cell Vehicles,“2014).
•
Public Acceptance (Energy.gov,2014)
HOW FUEL CELL SYSTEMS WORK ON VEHICLES
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fuelcell.shtml
HYDROGEN FUEL CELL VEHICLE
PROJECTED TRANSPORTATION FUEL CELL
SYSTEM COST
Source: http://energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/accomplishments-and-progress.
“DOE has reduced the cost of automotive fuel cells from $106/kW in 2006 to $55/kW in 2013 and is
targeting a cost of $30/kW.” (Energy.gov,2014)
“$30/kw is almost the same as the cost of producing power in a combustion engine but the by
product of fuel cells is water.” ("Fuel Cells Still Face Barriers to Widespread Adoption,"2014. )
CONCLUSION
•
I would say that based on the research that without a proper infrastructure this type of fuel
is not going to work yet.
•
However, when the infrastructure is built and there are a lot of stations available to fuel at,
I could see this become the future of transportation.
•
The main reasons I feel it could be the future of transportation
•
it has the ability to be refueled just as fast as gasoline power cars.
• It has very low emissions and is much better for the environment.
• Reduces the needs of oil.
• The negatives are not about the hydrogen fuel itself but the infrastructure.
• The fuel itself does not seem to have many negatives, other than onboard
vehicle storage but once that is improved. Hydrogen fuel seems perfect to be an
energy for the future of transportation.
CITATIONS
•
Honda Case Study: The Future of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars. S.l.: Datamonitor Plc, 2011. Internet resource.
•
Wipke, Keith B, Sam Sprik, and Jennifer Kurtz. Controlled Hydrogen Fleet and Infrastructure Analysis. Golden, Colo.:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2008. Internet resource.
•
Melendez, Margo. Transitioning to a Hydrogen Future: Learning from the Alternative Fuels Experience. Golden, Colo:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2006. Internet resource.
•
"Fuel Cell Vehicles." Fuel Cell Vehicles. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 July 2014. <http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fuelcell.shtml>.
•
"Energy.gov." Accomplishments and Progress. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Aug. 2014.
•
"Fuel Cells Still Face Barriers to Widespread Adoption." Engineering News -. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Aug. 2014.