ASME Met Section News February 2011 Page 1

ASME Met Section NewsFebruary 2011

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1 5th Annual Energy & Resources Conference

5 ASME’s Fuel Cell Conference

8 Election of Metropolitan Section Executive

Committee Members

14 MET SECTION UPCOMING MEETINGS

16 Metropolitan Section Membership

5th Annual Energy & ResourcesConference

ByGerard Hillenbrand, P.E.

ASME’s Metropolitan Section was a co-sponsor of thisconference, which was held at Con Edison Headquarters,14th street and Irving Place in Manhattan, on Thursday,December 9th, 2010. One of the key organizers of this all-day meeting was Met Section Program’s Chairman, EdwardEcock, P.E., and a key engineer in Con Edison’s researchand development department. At the conclusion of thisconference, Mr. Ecock received a special award for hisefforts in support of these annual meetings, which wereoriginally developed by activists from The AmericanChemical Society and The American Institute of ChemicalEngineers.

Section 1 of this conference featured speakers from the SolarEnergy Institute who first summarized the current energyusage situation where 37.4% of fuel consumption is inpetroleum, 24.6% in natural gas and 20.9% in coal. Industry

uses 28% of the available fuel, transportation consumes27%, residences use 21% and other commercial enterprisesconsume 18%. The United States leads the world in fuelconsumption, primarily in the number of operating vehiclesper capita, and a concurrent increase in demand for fuelsthroughout the world. Our country imports 98% of the oilused for fuel and this results in a huge trade deficit totaling$900 million per year. The environmental problems withcurrent fuel consumption are well known and include globalwarming, frequent oil spills, and increasing water scarcityresulting from the hydraulic fracturing techniques employedin shale oil processing. Geopolitical problems are alsomultiplying with restrictive OPEC production quotas,increasing energy demands in the developing world, and theevolution of secessionist groups in various nations. Thesolutions to these problems are also well known and includethe development of advanced processes, equipment, andmaterials as well as expanded education programs directedat engineers, politicians, energy experts and the generalpublic.

Electric power generation methods that do not involvepolluting gases include water resources, winds and tides, andthe developing solar industry. Despite the volatility of theserenewable energy sources due to climate variations, theirfuture is most promising. Although fossil fuels are verycompetitive sources of energy, new market incentives andmechanisms are able to increase the use of renewableenergy. Investment partnerships between the FederalGovernment, 15 State Governments and local utilities havesucceeded in making solar energy generation morecompetitive. Also, several international venture capitalfunds have contributed to this investment. Recent advancesin solar generation and efficiency include the developmentof photovoltaic cells and sun wave crystals, advanced polecell installations, electronic interconnections with the latesttwo-way smart grids. Remediation of operations in harshenvironments where temperatures may vary from -40degrees Celsius to 85 degrees Celsius, where militarycomplexities require efficient maintenance and storagefacilities. Solar energy generation is very good at periods of

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peak demand and for recharging electric vehicles.Projections indicate that 200,000 homes will utilize solarpower in the next 3 ½ years.

Concurrently, California leads the nation in solar powerinstallation but our nation lags behind Europe in the latestdevelopments. The goal of the American Solar Industry isto generate 200 megawatts of energy in the future.

Next, a speaker from the Energy Storage Associationdiscussed the need for an additional 60 to 80 gigawatts instorage capacity in 20 years. The United States today hasone-quarter of the world’s storage capacity with 22,000megawatts primarily with hydro pumping. The average loadin American operating electrical grids is 51% of peak load,and this statistic emphasizes the important role storagecapacity has in our energy future. To meet futurerequirements, our country must expand its annual R. & D.appropriations, where energy now receives $5.0 billionwhile defense receives $77.5 billion, health and medicinereceives $32.1 billion and NASA gets $11 billion. In therecent stimulus funding, the energy industry received $30billion out of total $880 billion expenditure. By 2012 thereare expected to be twelve manufacturers selling electricvehicles and by 2015 there will be three million plug-in carson American roads. To meet this increase in energy needs,Japan is developing additional storage totaling 250megawatts using sodium sulfide batteries with 15 yearoperating lives. In the United States there are similardemonstration projects, as well as wind farms and hydrogenstorage, in California, Puerto Rico, Ohio, West Virginia,Indiana, New Mexico, Minnesota, and Texas totaling 75megawatts. Also, storage installations for back-up powerare under construction south of the border in Mexico. Windfarms are 50% more expensive than battery storagefacilities. The efficiency of hydrogen generated storagevaries from 70 to 90%, while battery storage is moreuniform at 85% efficiency with only 2% reduction formaintenance needs. At this time, France leads the world inbattery storage and our Federal Government favors thismethod for future development despite difficulties due tolocal community land use issues, switching problems andlocal controls. In 2009 the Federal Department of Energyrequested a 540-megawatt increase in storage capacity tomeet future needs.

After an enjoyable mid-morning break, the conferenceresumed with a highly technical and detailed discussion ofalternate methods of propulsion for vehicles. Two methodscurrently receive the most extensive R. & D. efforts - fuelcells and hydrogen. The simple fuel cell is well known toengineers, consisting of an anode and a cathode submerged

in an ion-conducting electrolyte. Major developmentefforts, liberally funded by government and privateinvestments, concentrate on increasing the efficiency ofelectrical generation from the non-polluting fuel cells, whichmay be classified into two types - low and high temperatureunits. Under the current state of development fuel cell costis very high; they require special fuels and materials, andcomplex controls and grid connections are required.Research on electrolytes include various alkalines such as85% KOH solutions at 200 degrees F., phosphoric acidH3PO4 100% at 150 degrees C., molten potassium carbonateat 600 degrees Celsius. In addition research into the use ofpolymers such as hydrogen sulfate H2SO4 at 1,000 degreesF., and even solid, stabilized zirconium operating at 650 to1,000 degrees C., as well as sulfuric acid H2SO4 at varyingconcentrations with special additives, some of which areconfidential and proprietary.

Similarly, complex electrode design and developmentreceives high priority. For example, multi-layer electrodeswith alternate hydrophilic and hydrophobic layers continueto be developed, as well as porous gas diffusion types whichare uniquely successful contributing to high 3-phase currentgeneration. Various anode materials include platinum,porous nickel, alloys of nickel, yttrium sulfur, andzirconium, and other combinations of these metals includingthose into which external hydrogen is introduced for addedefficiency. Cathode materials are also undergoing extensivedevelopment. Among the most advanced are porousplatinum alloys, lithium-nickel-oxide alloys, and lanthanum-manganese oxides. Gas generation at cathodes made ofthese exotic materials can be quite extensive and contributeto some operational difficulties when diffusion is required.

Fuel cells were originally developed for space and defenseneeds. The Apollo space vehicle first employed fuel cells in1965 to generate oxygen and water supply and power forplasma gasification of waste. Subsequent space probes andshuttles employ advanced designs of these cells. Also in1965 the U. S. Army developed a 5 Kw fuel cell to provideelectrical energy supply under isolated battlefield conditions.Fuel cells are capable of powering commercial vehicles asmany demonstration projects prove. However, there arelimits on the vehicle range and durability and presentresearch concentrates on improving these characteristics. Atthe recent Vancouver Olympics all buses were fuel cellpowered, but achieved only 45% efficiency, no better thandiesel powered vehicles. The stacking and interconnectionof fuel cells has resulted in impressive power generationperformance since 1997 in California where a San Diegounit generated 210 Kw and a Santa Clara installation

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produced 2Mw. Similar outputs have been produced inGermany. A 200Kw-stacked fuel cell operates continuallyin Central Park, New York. Fuel cell generated power isparticularly effective when topping out energy production atwind and solar installations, when coupled to gas turbineunits, and used for power back up in local community unitsat 2 to 4 Kw outputs.

The next speaker spoke about the status of hydrogen-powered vehicles, which provide high operating efficiencywith almost zero polluting emissions. Once again, thevarious government agencies have heavily invested inhydrogen power. For example, the U.S. Department ofDefense has spent $4.7 billion developing 17,000 vehicles ofvarious types. Twenty one states, including mostprominently Minnesota since 1990, also have contributedsubstantially to these developments. Hydrogen generation isalso employed in other research programs such as armamentand missile systems, aerospace and supersonic propulsionsystems, and prototype development of rocket-fueled aircraftand rockets.

Also, substantial hydrogen generation is also required forcarbon capture systems, coal gasification equipment, wasteenergy systems, and fuel reformation techniques.

Hydrogen systems require high operating pressure with2800 psia employed for daily use and research applications,and pressures as high as 8500 psia required for space flights.Hydrogen systems for vehicles have limited range anddurability, high maintenance requirements, some safetyconcerns and high costs as well as storage difficulties.Despite these limitations, hydrogen as fuel offers unlimitedsupply availability with no resulting pollution, contrastedwith the imported petroleum products, biomass fuels,gasified coal, ethanol and methanol, which all producepoisonous oxides of nitrogen and sulfur. Storage tanks forhydrogen must be designed for 5,000 psia minimum internalpressures, although some European applications are rated at10,000 psia. Cryogenic cooling is used to store liquidhydrogen as well as metal hydride compounds andcompressed natural gases additives. These materials requireexpensive operating controls and some tanks receiveexternal safety wraps of advanced carbon compositematerials. Hydrogen tanks are subjected to several safetytests including impacts, external fires, direct gunfire,vibrations, crush and drops, all of which combine to limittank size.

The U.S. Department of Energy has participated inhydrogen-powered vehicle development and hassuccessfully promoted relatively small light vehicles that

compete directly with diesel-electric buses, hybrid vehiclesand all-electric units. Material-handling trucks employed infactories, warehouses, airports and shipping containermarine applications have achieved consistent operatingspeed of 15 mph on grades up to 8%, all hydrogen powered.Also, golf cart-sized vehicles are in increasingly commoncommercial use.

After a delicious luncheon break, the delegates reconvenedto hear the conference keynote address, which emphasizedthe critical skills that engineers bring to solving the world’senergy crisis. Although political gridlock currently preventslong-range programs to alleviate global warming, engineers,scientists and politicians have to cooperate and creativelyutilize the latest developments in telecommunications,avionics, digital electronics, and computers to solve theproblems posed by the effects of expanding greenhousegasses. Worldwide energy demand is growing exponentiallyand an 80% reduction in carbon-based fuel usage isnecessary by 2050 when fossil fuel availability is expectedto end. Solutions to these problems mandate that engineersuse their talents for innovation, increase in operationalefficiency, and emphasizing traditional economic principlesin the design of electrical generation plants, all buildings(both new and existing) and transport facilities. More workmust be done to develop alternate fuels and economies mustbe made in conventional fuel consumption. Power plantsnow produce 40% of the unsafe emissions, and permanentsolution points toward increased use of nuclear power,currently providing 20% of our nation’s electricity. Recentincreases in plant safety, development of gas-cooledreactors, and efficiency increases of up to 30% since 1990should help overcome public concerns. Buildings alsoproduce 40% of these objectionable emissions and just byimproving insulation and sealing, these loses can be reducedby at least 30% by 2020. Just by reducing vehicle weightsby using new materials, carbon emissions can bedramatically reduced. More consistent levels of researchand development funding are required rather than theexisting emergency cyclical funding now so prominent inexpanding use of renewable sources such as wind, tides,photovoltaic solar cells, and biomass systems. In all theseefforts, engineers must stress environmental and safetyissues, as well as sustainability procedures, to achieve thecarbon-free world that we all require.

The next speaker, a scientist from the U.S. GeologicalSurvey in Washington D.C., reported on the occurrence,supply, demand, and uses of the very critical platinum-groupof metals which are so critical in producing such products ascatalysts and electrodes for fuel cells, electronic equipment,

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ceramics, medicine, coatings, and glass-making. Theserelatively rare metals are also used an additives in bothgasoline and diesel engines, and they are uniformlyexpensive. These metals evolved over millions of years ofvolcanic eruptions through the earth’s surface crust. Thefiery-hot molten magma emerged in two basic metal forms:metal sulfites of nickel, cobalt, and copper; and metalchromite inclusions of platinum, palladium, rhodium,ruthenium, osmium, and lawrencium. The sulfite metals arerelatively more common and are found in Canada, Russia,and the United States (Minnesota), whereas the chromitesare very rare and found in South Africa, Russia, Zimbabwe,and the U.S., primarily in Montana. The chromite metalsoccur in 6 to 10 parts per million in ore and must be refinedto at least 94.5% purity for industrial purposes. Forexample, worldwide platinum production in 7 millionounces per year, 85% of which originates in South Africa.Similarly, Russia leads the world in palladium production ofone million ounces per year used primarily for catalysts andelectronics. Rhodium production is maximum in SouthAfrica and used in catalysts, jewelry and chemical and glassmanufacturing. Ruthenium production totals 1.14 millionounces per year and is a vital component in catalyticconverters used to limit pollution from vehicles. Anothervaluable metal chromite is Iridium, production of which is119,000 ounces per year. Worldwide production of thechromite metals peaked in 2007 and has fallen due to therecession. Typical commodity prices per ounce of thesematerials are $2000 for platinum, $1000 for palladium,$9500 for rhodium - all more valuable than gold. Researchto reduce these costs is concentrated on smelter efficiencyincreases and leaching ores with high concentrations andpressures of various corrosive acids. Because of the scarcityof these materials more than 50% of annual productionresults from recycled materials. Their scarcity and expensemake protecting sources a vital American national securityinterest.

After a refreshing mid-afternoon break, the conference heardrepresentatives from private and corporate venture capitalorganizations, investment banks and state and federalgovernments discuss funding sources for the expandingenergy industry. Investments from private sources total $1.8billion per year concentrating on lithium-ion batterydevelopment for fuel cells, photovoltaic improvement insolar panels, semi-conductor developments in electronics,and thermo-electric heat exchangers to recover the 25 to35% of vehicle and utility exhaust lost to the atmosphere.The need for lost-cost new developments is emphasized bythe fact that currently the lithium-ion batteries add $15,000to vehicle costs. Energy is not the only field receiving

substantial investments. Other areas include housing andconstruction, health, medicine and nutrition, mobilecommunications and nano technology. Each of the investorscarefully described its procedures for analyzing grantproposals, awarding funds, and recouping returns oninvestments which vary from four to ten years. Investorstend to concentrate on domestic and Canadian opportunitiesbecause volatile foreign exchange rates limit returns,whereas state and national governments offer addedincentives such as tax credits on investments, R. & D.programs, and real property assessments.

The participants all agreed that more consistency is requiredin long range energy policy developments, particularlyamong the various states which can profit by adoptingpolicies promoted by California and the Northeast. Theyalso agreed that additional investment is required in alternateforms of energy, infrastructure improvements, efficiencyenhancement, resource management, energy transmissionlines, geo-thermal energy, renewable forms of energy,pipeline expansion, and hybrid vehicles. More specifically,more advancement of wind power investments where only13 states finance programs, with Oregon, Texas, and Indianaleading in this regard. Developments should emphasizehigher wind towers, increased rotor diameters, and moreaerodynamically efficient blade design. Similar progress isalso required in solar power, oil and natural gas facilities,shale oil technology and hydraulic energy storage. The solarindustry, for example, needs more silicon solar cellmanufacturing facilities and advance techniques forrenewable solar panels. The guiding principles necessaryfor all these needs is a progressive increase in operatingefficiencies at reasonable costs and only the scientific andengineering communities can be relied upon to provide theseessential characteristics.

ASME’s Met Section is grateful for the opportunity to co-sponsor this conference and looks forward to morevigorously cooperating in the vital field of energydevelopments in the future. Great conference! Thanks to allfor their contributions.

ASME Met Section News February 2011 Page 5

ASME’s Fuel Cell Conference

ByGerard Hillenbrand, P.E.

ASME’s Fifth International Fuel Cell Conference was heldJune 18 to 20th, 2007 at the Marriott Hotel in downtownBrooklyn across the street from Polytechnic University.This conference was attended by hundreds of scientists,engineers, technologists and industry representatives fromall over the world, as well as personnel from the U. S.Federal Government and various state agencies. ASME’sMet section also sent several delegates and these delegateswere enthusiastically involved in all the conference’s majoractivities. The major sponsors of this conference includedthe New York State Energy Research and DevelopmentAuthority (NYSERDA), the Connecticut Clean EnergyFund, the New York State Power Authority, Keyspan,Polytechnic University, The University of Connecticut andthe National Fuel Cell Research Center at the University ofCalifornia in Irvine, CA.

The conference’s agenda consisted of 38 individual sessions,which may be categorized into four major categories:

• Low temperature fuel cells, which emphasize thetechnology of portable transport systems includinghydrogen production, biological materials, nano-technology, fuel storage, liquid electrolysis, andmanufacturing advances.

• High temperature fuel cells which cover such topics aselectrode design, high performance electrolytes, high-temperature fuel and seals as well as stacking modeling.

• Fuel cell economics covering low and high temperaturesystems, electric power production and non-stationaryand hybrid systems.

• Fuel cell environmental and regulatory issues includingsignificant case studies, various business strategies formanufacturers and suppliers and guidelines for fuel cellentrepreneurs.

ASME also published a book of abstracts of the manytechnical papers presented at this conference along with alist of the poster displays exhibited in the foyers of theconference center.

Fuel cells have an enormous potential as efficient, reliable,environmentally friendly, and potentially inexpensive sourceof electricity. In their modern form, they were developedfor practical usage in the NASA space program. Such fuelscells provided the electrical power for the Gemini, Apolloand space shuttle vehicles. Subsequent scientific andengineering advances by fuel cell developers have providedthe opportunity to apply these devices to earth-bound,civilian applications.

The simple fuel cell is an electrochemical device thatconverts ordinary fuel and air into an electrical current. Thiscell is capable of continuously producing electricity as longas the fuel and air are supplied without interruption.Internally the fuel cell consists of a negative electrode(anode) and a positive electrode (cathode) separated by anion-conducting electrolyte containing catalysts to enhanceefficiency. Air and fuel are introduced at the anode resultingin the production of hydrogen ions, which then pass throughthe electrolyte to the cathode where they combine withoxygen ions to produce water. The electrons, which cannotpass through the electrolyte, are collected at the anode andconducted via an external circuit to the cathode. Theelectron flow in the external circuit is patted to providedirect current electricity. This simple cell providesrelatively small amounts of electrical power, so several ofthese simple cells are assembled into a stack to achievehigher voltage levels. This assembled stack has no movingparts, is noiseless, and only produces heat and water as by-products.

Actually, modern fuel cell systems are much morecomplicated that the simple cell described above. First ofall, the input fuel, most commonly natural gas, isreprocessed in a reformer unit into a concentrated hydrogenmixture, which is then fed to the fuel cell anode. Theresulting direct current is directed to an inverter unit, whichconverts the DC into useful alternating current and then tothe power grid. Also required are a number of auxiliarysystems providing temperature control, heat recovery, watertreatment, air processing, ventilation, nitrogen purge, ACpower distribution and instrumentation and controls toregulate all these factors. The modern fuel cells themselvesare categorized according to the type of electrolyteemployed:

- Low Temperature Cells (100-450o F):- Alkaline Cells (AFC)- Polymer or Proton Exchange Membrane Cells

(PEMFC)- Phosphoric Acid Cells

- High Temperature Cells (1100-1800o F):

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- Molten Carbonate Cells (MCFC)- Solid Oxide Cells (SOFC)

Low temperature fuel cells require more exotic catalysts intheir electrolytes, sometimes employing precious metals,and also require much purer hydrogen fuel. However, thelow temperature cells can generate electricity at higherefficiency than the high temperature cells. Generallysummarizing, fuel cells have about twice the electricalgenerating efficiency of fossil fuel plants, but can costbetween two to fives times as much to install and operate,depending upon the type of electrolyte.

Driven by these parameters, this conference’s technicalsessions and technical papers almost universallyconcentrated on reporting developments and experimentsdesigned to improve the electrical generating efficiency, andto reduce the cost, of fuel cells. Enhanced by government,industrial and university research funding, thesedevelopments showed a steady progress toward increasedefficiency and lower costs. Examples of such developmentsinclude experiments to determine the optimum operatingtemperature and pressure inside the fuel cell; experiments todetermine the optimum density of the liquid electrolytes aswell as testing for the most hydrophilic electrode materials;tests to determine the most effective membraneconfigurations and materials including nano-porosityelements; the results of adding microbacterial materials toelectrolysis as well as the addition of industrial chemicalssuch as methane (CH4), methanol (CH3OH), ethanol(C2H7No) cellulose (C6H10O5) glucose (C6H12O6) andvarious enzymes; the effects of using electrodes composedof expensive and rare materials such as gold, platinum,rubidium, vanadium, as well as nickel copper, aluminum-nickel, gold-nickel alloys; the results of employing suchexotic catalysts as sodium-borohydride (NaBH4), hydrogenperoxide (H2O2), cobalt-boride (Co3B), sodium hydroxide(NaOH), lithium silicate (Li4SiO4), nickel-aluminum oxide(NiAl2O3), cerium dioxide (CeO2), and various cerium-zirconium mixtures; even the effects of varying waterdroplet sizes generated at the cathode; and finally, the abilityof fuel cells to perform in hazardous conditions such asextreme cold (less than 0 degrees F.) and hyper-humidity(greater than 90%).

Despite these economic and technical limitations, theinstallation of fuel cell power generating units continues toexpand. Spurred on by substantial funding fromgovernment agencies, industry innovators, universities andresearch institutions, 8500 megawatts of fuel cell generatedelectrical energy have been installed worldwide, with 746megawatts generated at 2000 sites in the United States. InNY State, NYSERDA has invested $136 million to developgeneration of 122 megawatts at present with 315 megawattsto be in operation by 2009. 100 projects have beencompleted or are under construction among which are 8operating fuel cell units at four wastewater treatment plantsas well as functioning units at several area hotels and resorts.

Similarly the NY State Power Authority has installed 13major fuel cell generating units since 1997 and these unitsprovide 23% of electrical power consumed statewide. Theseunits, installed at state university dormitories, hospitals,police precincts, and aquariums, have attained operatinglives as high as 60,000 hours - equivalent to 6 2/3 years ofcontinuous operation before shutdown for overhaul. In thecommercial sphere, the Keyspan organization first begandeveloping fuel cell power in 1968 and has invested morethan $1.9 billion since then throughout its market areaconsisting of the Northeastern US. Keyspan has frequentlycooperated with government agencies to provide plug-inpower and distribution to trucking centers, telecom centralfacilities, hospitals, military arsenals, and schools. Othercommercial organizations are equally aggressive inpromoting fuel cell developments and installations.

Of all these installations, about 75% use hydrogen as theprimary fuel with the remaining 25% employing variousforms of biofuels and other complex chemicals. These unitsgenerate about 60% of the electrical power for in-house use,with the remaining 40% being fed back into the local grid.One big advantage of these fuel cell units is the substantialsavings they provide in current distribution costs due to therelatively short transmission lines involved. Still today, fuelcells are not competitive with fossil fuel plants whengenerating electricity. One industry initiative worth notingis the creation of the clean energy fund in Connecticut wherelow cost loans are available to engineers and scientists. Sofar this fund has invested in 412 kilowatts worth ofdemonstration projects.

Among the topics that attracted great interest at thisconference was the use of fuel cell power to propel vehicles.This usage is even more demanding of fuel cell design thanstationary applications. The fuel cell itself must beconstructed of ultra-light weight materials and must providehigh speed and acceleration, ease of driving control, lowcosts, and durability of components. All fuel cell vehiclesuse hydrogen for power because no greenhouse gases arecreated or emitted, only a stream of water and water vapor.The hydrogen may be supplied in one of four forms:

- As a compressed gas at 5,000 psi minimumpressure

- As a liquid chilled to minus 423 degrees F.- As a solid in metal hydride particles- Generated in an onboard reforming unit from

methanol or gasoline or natural gas

Because of these complexities, equal power generating unitsof hydrogen and gasoline result in hydrogen costing two tothree times as expensive as gasoline, depending upon whichform of hydrogen is employed.

All major vehicle manufacturers are heavily engaged inhydrogen powered and fuel cell propelled cars and trucksbecause of impending government regulations covering fuel

ASME Met Section News February 2011 Page 7

economy and emissions standards. Their research anddevelopment has so far produced a number of workablevehicles having the following formats:

- About 70% of operating vehicles employcompressed hydrogen energizing an onboardfuel cell to generate electricity driving anelectric motor.

- About 10% of these vehicles use the hydrogengas as burned fuel directly in a special internalcombustion engine.

- About 10% of the vehicles use liquid hydrogenas burned fuel directly in an IC engine.

- About 10% of the vehicles derive hydrogenfrom metal hydride particles and then burn thehydrogen directly in an IC engine.

In the 2008 model year most manufacturers will offer fleetsof about 100 cars, vans and small buses powered byhydrogen for lease to interested commercial organizationssuch as utilities and government agencies. However, thelack of hydrogen distribution systems, their inherently highcost, and even a latent fear of the safety of hydrogen itselflimit practical widespread usage of these vehicles. In thevarious formats these vehicles will be able to travel 150 to350 miles on a tank full of fuel. Given the rate of currentdevelopment, expert’s estimate that it will take until 2020before affordable hydrogen cars, trucks and buses will bewidely available to the general public.

Meanwhile, mechanical engineers and other technicalinnovators are also investigating other sources of renewableand environmentally advantageous clean energy such asnuclear and solar technologies. The Met Section will reporton these developments immediately after ASME organizesand conducts informative conferences like the excellent onejust held in Brooklyn.

ASME Met Section News February 2011 Page 8

Election of Metropolitan Section Executive Committee Members

The following candidates are proposed for the executive committee of the ASMEMetropolitan Section for the period of 2010-2012

Name Company VoteYour Vote Yes NoDr. Esmet Kamil Pratt InstituteMiguel Torres-Castillo New York City Transit

Please forward this ballot to: aealonzo@yahoo.com

The following are the bio-data of the candidates:

Dr. Esmet Kamil

Graduated from Oklahoma City State University 1963 with a PhD, Structural Engineer.

He has been Chair of the Metropolitan section from 1994 to 1996. He is Professor at Pratt Institute since 1970; and also facultyadvisor 1970-73-90. Dr. Kamil is a member of region II and, Member of ASME international committee, Chairman of MechanicalEngineer at Pratt Institute.

ASME Met section activities include: past and present member on the Metropolitan Section Executive Committee as a Chair andVice –chair and latest Vice - Chair since 2005

Miguel Torres-Castillo.Graduated from National Polytechnic in Quito Ecuador in 1974 with a B.E.M.E, and post degrees in Project Management from theBradford University in England and the Central University of Ecuador.

Previously he has been the Manager of the National development Bank/ BID in Ecuador for the industrial development andAuditor of the National Petroleum Company in Ecuador and private consultant for the Crown Agents and the Douchland Bank. Atthe moment he is employed by New York City Transit from 1992 until present. Currently is the Senior Quality Assurance Auditor

ASME activities include past and present member on the Metropolitan Section Executive Committee as a Minority Chair and ViceChair and latest Chair since 2005.

ASME Met Section News February 2011 Page 9

ASME Met Section News February 2011 Page 10

If you are an incoming or prospective executive committee officer(unit leader) or a unit leader who may have never attended aLeadership Training Conference (LTC) or ASME training seminar,then make plans to attend the 2011 LTC, March 3-6 in Dallas,Texas.

The LTC is designed to provide ASME unit leaders and keycommittee personnel with an opportunity to learn crucialskills and network with other units important to the successfuloperation of the Society. The LTC program will include:

- An overall view of the Society’s organization andactivities and resources

- Leadership skills training to help you succeed in leadingyour ASME unit

- The ASME Idea Mart – a mini expo featuringcommunities, units and sectors from across the Society

- Parallel tracks for first timers called ASME 101, and theAdvanced Leadership Forum for more seasoned leaders.

- Valuable networking opportunities with other leaders andASME staff

- A forum for sharing ideas and best practices

- Leadership skills.... including a pre-conference workshopon Thursday - "The Leaders' Voice," with Ron Crossland,sponsored by the VOLT Academy.

Section, Division and Institute leaders have been asked to identifycandidates from their respective units to attend. We encourageincoming leaders from across the society to self-fund delegatessince the wide range and number of workshops is best suited for adelegate team from a unit.

For registration and conference details visit the Web site athttp://events.asme.org/LTC11/home.cfm

ASME Turbo Expo in Vancouver

Plan now to join more than 3,000 turbomachinerycolleagues from around the world at ASME TURBOEXPO, ASME’s premier turbine technical conference andexposition, set for June 6-10, 2011, in Vancouver,Canada, at the Vancouver Convention & ExhibitionCentre.

Turbo Expo has a well-earned reputation for bringingtogether the best and brightest experts from around theworld to share the latest in gas turbine technology,research and development, and application. To address theworld's increasing energy demands, IGTI's leadership isbroadening the scope of the ASME Turbo Expo technicalprogram to include related technical topics in SteamTurbines, Wind Turbines, Fans & Blowers and SolarBrayton & Rankine Cycle.

Professionals at every level should attend Turbo Expo,including students and young professionals. “I was avolunteer for Turbo Expo in Glasgow, Scotland. It was afantastic experience. I got to see professionals from allaround the world. I learned a lot as a session assistant byinteracting with gas turbine professionals,” said Xuna Li,University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.

“I was also able to attend sessions that I was interested in,such as those about wind turbines. I still keep in contactwith some of the professionals I networked with at theconference. I also had a chance to view the exhibitions ofsome companies when I was not on duty. It was a greatopportunity to see what the working world is like and tomeet many new people,” she added.

Don’t miss it. Register online today at:www.turboexpo.org

EWB-USA International Student ConferenceMarch 24-27, 2011

http://www.ewb-usa.org/conference/2011

Inspirational Engineering:Empowering Global Communities through Transformative Leadership

Join us in Louisville, KY, USA!Sign up now for your discounted ASME/EWB-USA joint membership!

http://www.asme.org/Membership/Members_Can_SAVE_20_EWBUSA.cfm

ASME Met Section News February 2011 Page 11

ASME’s strategic partner Engineers Without Borders-USA is currently seeking professional engineers to serve asmentors for the organization’s more than 250 student chapters in the United States.

If you’re interested in sharing your technical skills with the engineers of tomorrow — and making a real differencein the lives of people in developing countries throughout the world — visit www.ewb-mentors.org/EWBMentor tolearn more about how to become an EWB-USA professional mentor.

Last January, ASME and EWB-USA entered into an enhanced strategic partnership to leverage each organization’sstrengths to benefit future joint initiatives and objectives. Now an EWB-USA Principal Partner, ASME began itscollaboration with EWB-USA in 2003 when ASME served on the EWB-USA board of directors as the first societypartner to provide dedicated resources to support EWB-USA’s mission. Today, both organizations share similarstrategic interests, including the development of the engineering workforce, making an impact on global needs andcontributing to renewable energy initiatives.

As a result of this partnership, ASME members are now entitled to a 20 percent discount on membership dues whenthey join EWB-USA. ASME members can may now join EWB-USA as a Professional Member for $80 ($20 off theregular cost), or as Supporting Member for $60 (a $15 savings). For additional information on enrolling in EWB-USA, visit www.asme.org/membership/Members_Can_SAVE_20_EWBUSA.cfm.

For more information on Engineers Without Borders-USA, visit www.ewb-usa.org. To find out more about ASME’spartnership with EWB-USA, visit www.asme.org/Communities/Students/Undergrad/Engineers_Borders_2.cfm.

Engineers Week 2011 Reach. Respect. Recognize.

Engineers Week celebrates 60 years of being a global leader in cultivating and celebrating theengineering profession. Be part of the celebration! www.eweek.org. Free artwork for download:http://eweek.org/NewsStory.aspx?ContentID=224 Order your supplies:https://shop.eweek.org/site/store/

ASME Met Section News February 2011 Page 12

2010 ASME Boiler Pressure Vessel Code Now Available

The 2010 edition of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, including updatesand revisions to meet changes industry practices, is available for purchase.

The code establishes rules of safety relating to the design, construction, operation,testing, and maintenance of boilers, transport tanks, nuclear power plantcomponents, and other pressure systems.

SwRI Training Week: Feb. 21-25, 2011Southwest Research InstituteSan Antonio, TX

Register for courses on gas turbines and centrifugalcompressors, the root cause failure analysis of gasturbines, compressor performance testing and dynamics,machinery performance testing and troubleshooting.

When you register for more than one course being heldduring Training Week, you will receive 10% off the totalfee.Register today at:http://files.asme.org/IGTI/Education/25570.doc

Register today for the Introduction to Compressor AeroDesign and Performance Webinar, March 23, 2011,

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST

Course Overview:

The focus of this presentation will be aerodynamicfundamentals of how compressors work, how they aredesigned, how their performance is evaluated, and howthey operate in the field. This introductory webinar istargeted to engineers with an interest in gas turbineengines and their operation.

Each registered attendee will receive one ProfessionalDevelopment Hour (PDH) and an electronic certificateof completion.

Instructor Profile:

Patricia Cargill holds a BSME from Iowa StateUniversity. She has thirty years experience in fan &compressor aerodynamics, at Garrett and at GEAviation. Cargill is currently the manager of the Fan &Compressor Aero Design group at GE Aviation inEvendale, Ohio.

Global Marathon For, By and About Women in Engineering and TechnologyMarch 7-12, 2011

Join free webinars and chat sessions, including the opportunity for participants to dialoguewith the speakers, on topics including innovation, finding fun in technology, career choices,

precollege outreach, leadership skills, and more… For more information on how to participateor host an activity contact: stenosm@asme.org

ASME Met Section News February 2011 Page 13

IGTI Scholarships Available Now!

The ASME International Gas Turbine Institute awards one$4,000 scholarship every year based on superior academicperformance and demonstrated interest in the gas turbine,propulsion, or turbomachinery industries to an undergraduate orgraduate student. Applicants must be ASME Student Membersin good standing at the time of application.

Applications for each academic year are accepted online eachyear only from Jan. 15 through March 1, after which ouronline application is closed. PLEASE READ the detailedINSTRUCTIONS for the application form here.

If you are not a member and would like to join, see our StudentOnline Member Application.

Congratulations to our Past Winners!

2010 Winner: Stephen Clark, Duke University2009 Winner: Tejas Chafekar, Birla Institute of Technology &Science, Pilani, India 2008 Winner: Gregory Bond, Baylor University

Free For ASME Members: e-Greeting Cards!

Thank a co-worker … Say “hi” to your boss…Reach outto a former or current teacher…Tell a loved one youappreciate their support … Surprise a colleague you’velost touch with…

ASME is celebrating Engineers Week, Feb. 20-26, 2011with a unique and fun activity, especially for ourMembers. e-Greeting cards are a great way to send acreative message to friends, co-workers and loved onesto brighten their day.

e-Greeting cards are FREE and easy to send! Therecipient doesn’t have to be an ASME Member, andyou can send as many as you like. Click ongo.asme.org/ecards and send an e-Greeting to acolleague or friend today!

ASME Met Section News February 2011 Page 14

MET SECTION UPCOMING MEETINGS

Schedules of upcoming meeting are as follows.

Executive Committee Meeting Schedule

January 13, 2011 5:30pm Con Edison Building

February 10, 2011 5:30pm Con Edison Building

March 10, 2011 5:30pm Con Edison Building

April 14, 2011 5:30pm Con Edison Building

May 12, 2011 5:30pm Con Edison Building

June 9, 2011 5:30pm Con Edison Building

The Technical Dinner Meeting dates for the coming year is:

December 9, 2010 8:00am Energy Conference Con Edison Building

December 16, 2010 5:30pm TBD Ukrainian Restaurant

February 15, 2011 5:30pm Engineers Week Polytechnic Institute

March 17, 2011 6:15pm ASME Presidents Night Con Edison Building

April 21, 2011 5:30pm TBD Con Edison Building

May 19, 2011 5:30pm Energy Efficient Steam System Design Con Edison Building

June 16, 2011 5:30pm Steam Coffin: ….Steamship Savannah… Con Edison Building

ASME Met Section News February 2011 Page 15

Alonzo, Anthony E (718) 492-5584321 - 51 StreetBrooklyn, N.Y. 11220 AEAlonzo@yahoo.com

Berri, Sidi, Ph.D.Professor, NYC Technical College, Mech Tech300 Jay StreetBrooklyn, NY 11201 sberri@nyctc.cuny.edu

Das, Satyaprakash, Ph.D. (718) 390-7972Professor, College of Staten Island, Applied Sci2800 Victory BlvdStaten Island, NY 10314

prakash@postbox.csi.cuny.edu

Edward G. Ecock, P.E. (212) 460-4830Consolidated Edison Company of New York 4Irving Place Room 2615-S ecocke@coned.comNY, NY 10003

Haines, Daniel W., P.E. (718) 862-7279Professor, Manhattan College, Mech EngRiverdale, NY 10471 dhaines@manhattan.edu

Hansen, Paul (973) 601-0510x235Enercon Services, Inc.400 Valley Road, Suite 301Mnt Arlington, NJ 07856 hansenp@asme.org

Hauser, Peter (203)375-900088 Ryders LaneStratford, Ct 06614

Heller, Marian (212)-591-7079ASME InternationalThree Park AveNYC, NY 10116 marian@marianheller.net

Hillenbrand, Gerard R., P.E (718) 343-456581-23 259th StreetGlen Oaks, NY 11004

Hladek, James (718) 982-2994Professor, College of Staten Island, Mech Tech2800 Victory Blvd.Staten Island, NY 10314

Hong, Shane Y., Ph.D. (212) 854-2957Professor, Columbia University, Mech Eng 500 W 120th St, 234 Mudd Bldg.New York, NY 10027 sh295@columbia.edu

Jannone, Joseph, Ph.D., P.E. (516) 773-5473Professor, US Merchant Marine Academy300 Steamboat RoadKings Point, NY 11024 jannonej@usmma.edu

Jiji, Latif M., P.E. (212) 650-5228Professor, City College of NY, Mech Eng Dept140th St & Convent AveNYC, NY 10031 jiji@me.ccny.cuny.edu

Kamil, Esmet M., Ph.D., P.E. (718) 399-4328Professor, Pratt InstituteHiggins Hall N 201F200 Willoughby Ave. ekamil@pratt.eduBrooklyn, NY 11205 kamile@asme.org

Kinach, Wasyl, P.E. (212) 669-2203NYC Office of the ComptrollerBureau of Engineering1 Centre Street, Room 650New York, NY 10007 kinachw@asme.org

Kumar, Sunil, Ph.D. (718) 260-3810Professor, Polytechnic, Mech and Indust Eng6 Metrotech CenterBrooklyn, NY 11201 skumar@poly.edu

Lai, W. Michael, Ph.D (212) 854-4236Professor, Columbia University500 West 120th Street, 220 S.W. MuddNew York, NY 10027 wml1@columbia.edu

Madia, Joseph, P.E. (718) 579-1241Consolidated Edison Co of NY,1560 Bruckner Blvd.Bronx, Ny 10473 madia@coned.com

Modi, Vijay, Ph.D (212) 854-2956Professor, Columbia University, Chair-ME Dept500 West 120th Street, 220 S.W. MuddNew York, NY 10027 modi@columbia.edu

Melone, Michael J., Jr. (845) 228 94076001 Applewood CircleCarmel, NY 10512mikejr1@suscom.net

Nourbakhsh, SaidProfessor, Polytechnic, Mech & Indust Eng6 Metrotech Center333 Jay StreetBrooklyn, NY 11201 snourbak@poly.edu

Omholt, Thore, Ph.D. (718) 409-7413Professor, SUNY/Maritime College, MarineEng, Fort Schuyler6 Pennyfield AveBronx, NY 10465thoreomholt@compuserve.com

Oussani, James Jr (718)-768-3380The Staplex Company777 5th AveBrooklyn, NY 11232 jim@staplex.com

Prasad, M., Ph.D. (201) 216-5591Professor, Stevens Institute of Tech, MECastle Point on HudsonHoboken, NJ 07030kpochira@stevens-tech.edu

Pritchard, Philip, Ph.D. (718) 862-7443Professor, Manhattan College, ME DeptRiverdale, NY 10471ppritcha@manhattan.edu

Wei, Stan 212-353-4299Professor, Cooper Union, Chair-ME Dept51 Astor PlaceNew York, NY 10003 wei@cooper.edu

Torres-Castillo, Miguel (646) 252-3837New York City Transit AuthorityPO Box 70Lahaska, PA 18931 Mitorre@NYCT.com

Weinberg, Erwin (718) 544-249169-10 Yellowstone Bld, Apt 611Forest Hills, NY 11375eweinberg1@nyc.rr.com

Zaza, Ahmed244 5th Avenue, #D225New York, NY 10001-7604Ph.: 212-561-0800

ASME Metropolitan Section Organizational Chart

ASME Met Section News February 2011 Page 16

Metropolitan Section Membership

Advisory Board *** Executive Committee***E. Kamil M. Torres (10) ChairW. Kinach G. Hillenbrand (08) TreasurerP. Hauser A. Alonzo (08) SecretaryNominating Committee Esmet Kamil (10) Vice-ChairE. Ecock M. MeloneA. Alonzo E. Kamil E. Ecock (08)

M. Melone (08)Ahmed Zaza (09)

Standing Committees

Member Development Industry Relations

A. Alonzo Chair M. Melone Co-Chair P. Hansen Chair

P. Hansen Co-Chair

Membership Interest Inter-Societal Relations

A. Alonzo Chair W. Kinach Vice Chair

P. Hansen G. Hillenbrand Chair

Met Section Online Management Chapter

P. Hansen W. Kinach Vice Chair

G. Hillenbrand Chair

Professional Development andActivities

Meetings and Program

E. Kamil Chair E. Ecock Chair

G. Hillenbrand G. Hillenbrand Vice Chair

W. Kinach

ASME Metropolitan Section Organizational Chart

ASME Met Section News February 2011 Page 17

Standing Committees

Professional Practice and Ethics Bylaws and Operations

G. Hillenbrand Chair E. Kamil Chair

W. Kinach

Public Information Finance

P. Hansen Chair G. Hillenbrand

Government Relations and Public Affairs

M. Torres Chair E. Kamil E. Ecock

W. Kinach M. Melone

History and Heritage Honors and Awards

A. Alonzo Chair

College RelationsE. Kamil – Chairs

t Representative School Faculty AdvisorE. Ecock City College of NY L. JijiJ. Madia Columbia University N. Samaan

W. Kinach Cooper Union M. BaglioneM. Melone Manhattan College G. WalkerJ. Oussani Polytechnic G. Vradis

A.Zaza SUNY/Maritime J. LevertP. Hansen College of Staten Island J. HiadekM. Torres NYC Technical College S. Berri