PRODUCTION OF H2 GAS USING SOLAR ENERGY

AND DEVELOPING AN EFFECTIVE METHOD

FOR ITS STORAGE

WHY THIS PROJECT? Fossil fuels are fast depleting. Alternative source of energy for driving vehicles is

required. H2 gas is the proposed fuel for the future. But the potential problem is its production and

storage. This project was undertaken with a view to cost

effective and efficient H2 gas production and storage.

PRODUCTION OF H2 GAS

Modified form of Hoffmann’s Voltameter was used for the electrolysis of water.

The rechargeable battery used was charged by using solar photovoltaic panel.

H2 and O2 gas were stored in rubber bladders.

USE OF SOLAR PANEL

Solar photovoltaic panel was used to charge the 12V rechargeable battery.

DEVELOPING AN EFFECTIVE METHOD FOR ITS STORAGE

Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) were deemed useful for storage of H2 gas, but eventually proved to be less efficient.

So, the study was started with other porous materials which were expected to exhibit the properties of absorption and occlusion.

A composite material was found to be suitable for the storage of H2 gas.

DESIGN OF APPARATUS A glass test tube with

sample holder was fabricated.

The test tube was connected to a Rotary oil pump for evacuation.

Battery charger was used to raise the

temperature of charge.

STUDY MATERIALS USED

Molecular Sieve Ion-exchange resin Alumina Activated Charcoal Composite materials of finely divided nickel

powder with each of the above materials.

TEST RESULTS WITH PURE MATERIALS

1. Activated Charcoal

~900 ~650

2. Molecular Sieve

~800 ~600

3. Ion-exchange Resin

~750 ~550

4. Alumina ~700 ~500

STUDY MATERIALS H2 GAS INTAKE AT ROOM TEMP. (IN ML)

H2 GAS LIBERATION AT 40O C (IN ML)

TEST RESULTS WITH COMPOSITE MATERIALS

COMPOSITE STUDY MATERIALS INCREMENT OF H2 GAS INTAKE AT ROOM TEMP. (IN ML)

1. Nickel-activated

charcoal

~100

2. Nickel-molecular sieve ~75

3. Nickel-ion exchange

resin

~60

4. Nickel-alumina ~40

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT The use of solar panel to charge the battery

contributes to the cause of pollution control.

The project aims towards finding an effective storage technique for H2 gas to use it as fuel for driving vehicles in the era of fossil fuel crisis.

Since cheap and easily available materials were used, it proved to be cost effective.

LIMITATIONS OF THE PROJECT

The measurements are not very accurate, so there are possibilities of error.

The solar panel could not be used very effectively due to space constraints.

The work is preliminary and needs further research.

Pressure and temperature variations for the storage of H2 gas were not taken into account.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES TAKEN

The stainless steel mesh with the sample, and the sample holder had to be wrapped in asbestos cloth.

The sample holder had to be carefully evacuated before the introduction of H2 gas.

FUTURE PLAN OF ACTION Pressure and temperature

regulation for the storage of H2 gas will be taken into account. A stainless steel cylinder has been specially designed for this purpose.

It has been revealed that egg shell is porous and may exhibit adsorptive properties. Work will be carried out with egg shells as study materials.

Plate: Specially designed stainless steel cylinder

Presented by : Sreyasi Nag Chowdhury B.Tech., 2nd year, Computer Science & Engineering, Bengal College of Engineering & Technology, Durgapur, West Bengal.

Under the supervision of :

Dr. S. K. Ghoshal Head of the Department, Department of IT, Bengal College of Engineering & Technology, Durgapur, West Bengal. Formerly, Researcher, IICS.

Thank you