Fuel Cell Technologies

Ryan JernNovember 24, 2008

What is a fuel cell?

HistoryFirst fuel cell created by William R. Grove

1839 in Swansea, Wales

Called it “Gaseous Voltaic Battery”

Firsts tests his creation using two platinum electrodes halfway submerged in sulfuric acid

Each electrode had one tube connected to it, one tube filled with oxygen the other with hydrogen

Gaseous Voltaic Battery

Fuel Cell Introduced to

AmericaIn 2003 State of the Union Address President Bush introduced $1.2 billion Hydrogen Fuel Initiative

Since research and development put fourth to reduce green house gases

Just recently Fuel Cell Technology became a reality

Types of Fuel CellsType Use/Description

Polymer Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Popular in automotive vehicles due to its relatively low operating temperature

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Used for large scale stationary generators due to high operating temperatures; one of longest operating lives among fuel cells

Alkaline Fuel Cells Used by NASA although vulnerable to contamination therefore unlikely to be commercialized

Molten-Carbonate Fuel Cell

Best used for large stationary generators although less expensive than Solid oxide fuel cells due to less of need for exotic materials

Phosphoric-Acid Fuel Cell

Best used for small stationary generators; high operating temperatures and long warm up time make unusable for automobiles.

Direct-Methanol Fuel Cell

Low operating temperature could potentially be used in automobiles although required materials make it to expensive

Fuel Cells TodayNeed two elements

Hydrogen

Oxygen

Both pass through electrode

Meet at electrolyte and react

HEAT & WATER VAPOR

How does fuel cell technology effect

us?

Automakers

Realize the positive economic impact

Offering free lease opportunities

Chevrolet and Honda

Project Driveway

Chevy Equinox Commercial

Efficiency

Study done by Honda

Gasoline Hybrid Fuel Cell

Driving Energy

Efficiency %

20% 30% 60%

What’s holding back production?

DifficultiesThe cost to implement fuel cell technologies is to high in comparison to internal combustion powered vehicles

The availability of hydrogenOver 150,000 gas stations in the US

US Gas Stations

DifficultiesMay not be durable enough

Atmospheric pressure

Strain put on the fuel cellCity traffic; stop and go

RealisticHonda leasing first fuel cell vehicle

Honda FCX Clarity; $600 month

Some public vehicles are Hydrogen powered although will not be readily available for some time

Will fuel cell technology be the solution to our emissions problems?

Bibliography"About Fuel Cells." Honda 17 Nov 2008 <http://automobiles.honda.com/fcx-clarity/fuel-cell-comparison.aspx

"THE BEST EMISSIONS STRATEGY IS A ZERO-EMISSIONS STRATEGY.." Chevrolet 17 Nov 2008 http://www.chevrolet.com/fuelcell/

"Cleaner Fuel FAQ." Exploring Cleaner Fuels 17 Nov 2008 <http://www.exploringcleanerfuels.com/meeting-need/fuel-faqs/>.

 Dicks, Andrew. Fuel Cell Systems Explained. West Sussex: Wiley, 1999.

 Fuel Cell Basics, 17 Nov 2008 <http://americanhistory.si.edu/fuelcells/basics.htm#q2>.

 Hoogers, Gregor. Fuel Cell Technology Handbook. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2000.

Nice, Karim. "How Fuel Cells Work." Howstuffworks 17 Nov 2008 <http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-cell1.htm>.

 "NPN MarketFacts 2008 Highlights." NPN 17 Nov 2008 <http://www.npnweb.com/ME2/default.asp>.