FUEL CELLS
Curriculum
DAY 1: Focus Points
Importance
Why is it important for people to be educated about fuel cells? They serve multiple different purposes for the environment. They cost less for production, they last longer, and they produce less pollution. Economically, they are the better choice to fueling the products we have created. By being aware of the affects on the environment, people are being educated about the better choice of fuel. It will create more sustainability for the world and will enable people to use resources more effectively. Fuel cells are 40% more efficient than batteries are. They use a hydrocarbon fuel and create more electricity than a standard battery. In addition, in high temperatures they are 85% more efficient than batteries while still reducing the amount of energy consumption (Segura, 2009).
What else can they be used for?
Fuel cells have had a direct impact on the automotive sector. They are most commonly found in aircrafts, ships, trains, buses, motorcycles, cars, forklifts, and trucks. Fuel cells are not just limited to means of transportation. Current research has studied its affects on mobile technological devices. Phones, laptops, and portable electronic devices have undergone recent testing to implement fuel cells into their systems. It can be shown that fuel cells will extend usage time for these devices. Fuel cells can allow these portable electronic devices to be used in places that an electrical grid might not have reached before during times, for example, when someone is vacationing and has limited access to usual resources. Motorola, Toshiba, Samsung, Panasonic, Sanyo and Sony have all investigated means of using fuel cells in portable electronics. By using methanol fuel cells they can power these telecommunication systems. Phones can run for twice as long on a fuel cell than on a regular battery life while only needing 10 minutes to recharge. Laptops have a similar time table enabling usage for up to five hours, a considerable increase from what is available on the market today (Segura, 2009).
In addition to these usages, scientists are looking for ways to create fuel cells that can power generators for hospitals, police stations, and banks. These are three extremely important places that cannot go without power. By creating fuel cells large enough to power these locations, they will be more reliable and order will be able to be maintained in times of disaster (Segura, 2009).
DAY 2: Applications
Fuel Cells in Vehicles
The auto industry is looking more and more into how to develop cars that run on less gas and use as little resources as possible. There are a handful of cars on the market now that do run on fuel cells rather than gasoline. A lot of testing is still being done and problems are still being worked out. Until these problems can be fixed and testing is complete, the market will still be dominated by gasoline run cars. Buses in the cities are being run on fuel cells. Almost all public transportation buses in these cities run on the fuel cells because they are quieter and produce less CO2. Forklifts were one of the first means of transportation to use fuel cells. It was found early how much money organizations could save because the fuel cells required no maintenance, therefore upkeep for the machinery was little to none. Motorcycles are the next type of transportation to be tested for fuel cell usages. Despite their small size, motorcycles are some of the most pollutant vehicles on the road. No testing has really been done on them yet to determine which fuel cell will work best for them but it needs to be developed soon because they produce as much pollution as a diesel engine. Following this, mining trains will be the next piece of machinery that is going to be investigated for fuel cells. So much pollution is already caused by this job but the less additional pollution that can be made, the better (Segura, 2009).
Fuel Cells in the Armed Forces
The United States Armed Forces have relied heavily on fuel cells for just about every aspect of their routines. Fuel cells reduce noise emissions from aircrafts and make it more difficult for the enemy to detect them on the radars due to their ability to operate at low temperatures. Being able to operate at such low temperatures allows them to fly at various points of the atmosphere without any particular risk. Some fuel cells are powered by water and this water production reduces many of the needs of long haul aircrafts. By operating on hydro fuel cells they are able to travel the distances needed without additional stops. Fuel cells are easier for soldiers to maintain as well. They are lighter and more durable than batteries and this enables them to be transported easier and is more reliable with their already dangerous jobs (Segura, 2009).
DAY 3: Different Types of Fuel Cells (Segura, 2009)
- Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell
o A Molten Carbonate Fuel cell is a mixture of Lithium Carbonate and potassium and requires carbon dioxide and oxygen as fuels
o Advantages
§ Allows spontaneous internal reforming fuel
§ Generates a lot of heat
§ Contains high speed reactions
§ Has high efficiency
§ No noble metal catalysts needed
o Disadvantages
§ In order to further research they need to use materials resistant to corrosion
§ Dimensional instability can cause distortion
§ High intolerance to sulphur which means it is more likely to deteriorate
§ Hard to handle because it is a liquid
§ It must be preheated before you can work with it
- Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
o Consists of solid oxide and zirconium
o Electrodes used are nickel or cobalt metals
o Advantages
§ Allows for spontaneous internal reforming fuel
§ Generates a lot of heat
§ Chemical reactions are very fast
§ Has high efficiency
§ Can work densities higher than molten carbonate fuel cells
§ A solid compound
§ No noble metal catalysts
o Disadvantages
§ For total market penetration it needs to develop materials that have sufficient conductivity
§ Moderate intolerance to sulphur
§ Not mature technology
- Alkaline Fuel Cells
o A mixture of potassium hydroxide
o Advantages
§ Works well in low temperatures
§ Starts quickly
§ Has high efficiency
§ Due to its small amount of catalysts it has lower costs
§ Doesn’t have corrosion problems
§ Simple to operate
§ Low weight and volume
o Disadvantages
§ Extremely intolerant to CO2
§ Some intolerance to CO
§ Limits oxidants and fuels because both must be pure oxygen
§ Due to its liquid form it is difficult to handle
§ Require evacuation of water treatment complex
§ Short lifetime
DAY 4: Different Types of Fuel Cells Continued(Segura, 2009)
- Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
o Used in rechargeable things
o Advantages
§ Operates at low temperatures therefore handling and assembling are not complex
§ Non corrosive
§ It is tolerant of CO2 therefore it can use atmospheric air as a fuel
§ Solid form makes it easy to handle
§ High voltage, high current, and high power density
§ Can work at low pressures
§ Good tolerance to different pressures of reactants
§ Compact and robust
§ Simple mechanical design
§ Uses stable building materials
o Disadvantages
§ Sensitive to impurities of hydrogen
§ Low tolerance to sulphur particles
§ Need humidification units instead of reactive gases
§ Use a catalyst and a membrane which is very expensive
- Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell
o Advantages
§ It can tolerate up to 30% CO2 and therefore can use atmospheric air as a fuel
§ When working at medium temperature, they can use the waste heat for cogeneration
§ It uses electrolytes with stable characteristics and therefore has low volatility
o Disadvantages
§ Maximum tolerance of 2% CO
§ Utilize liquid electrolytes therefore is hard to handle and has safety issues
§ Allows entry of water that can dilute the acids
§ Big and heavy
§ Cant auto reform fuel
§ Need to reach a certain temperature before starting to work
- Direct Methanol Fuel Cell
o Ones that would be used in portable electronics
o Advantages
§ Liquid fuel form
§ Size of deposits is less and can take advantage of existing infrastructure provision
§ Don’t need any reforming process
§ Proton exchange membrane
o Disadvantages
§ Low efficiency with respect to the hydrogen cells
§ Need large amounts of catalysts (noble metals) to get it going
DAY 5: How to Build a Hydrogen Fuel Cell (Chapter 3, 2009)
- How to build a hydrogen fuel cell
o Used in space crafts
o Materials
§ 1 foot of platinum coated nickel wire, or pure platinum wire (must be ordered)
§ Popsicle stick or similar small piece of wood or plastic
§ 9 volt battery clip
§ 9 volt battery
§ Transparent sticky tape
§ Glass of water
§ Volt meter
o Construction
§ Step 1: Cut platinum coated wire into 2 six inch long pieces and wind each piece into a coiled spring (these are the electrodes for the fuel)
§ Step 2: Cut the leads of the battery clip in half and strip the insulation off the cut ends.
§ Step 3: Twist the bare wires onto the ends of the platinum coated electrodes. (battery clip will be attached to the electrodes as well the two wires which will later attach to the volt meter)
§ Step 4: Securely tape electrodes to the popsicle stick.
§ Step 5: Securely tape the popsicle stick to the glass of water so the electrodes dangle in the water for nearly their entire length. NOTE: the twisted wire connections must stay out of the water so only the platinum coated electrodes are actually in the water.
§ Step 6: Connect the red wire to the positive terminal of the volt meter and the black to the negative (or common) terminal. Volt meter should read 0 volts at this point (an extremely small number might appear)
o How to make it work
§ To operate it you must cause bubbles of hydrogen to cling to one electrode and bubbles of oxygen to cling to the other. To do this:
· Step 1: Touch the 9 volt battery to the battery clip (you don’t need to clip it on because it will only need to touch for a second or two) when touched, electrolysis occurs and you can see the bubbles start to form
· Step 2: Remove the battery
§ End result: POWER
Works Cited
Chapter 3. (2009). Retrieved April 28, 2010, from Electrochemistry: http://sci-toys.com/scitoys/scitoys/echem/fuel_cell/fuel_cell.html
Segura, A. F. (2009). Fuel Cells: History and updating. A Walk Along Two Centuries. Elsevier , 2309-2322.
Importance
Why is it important for people to be educated about fuel cells? They serve multiple different purposes for the environment. They cost less for production, they last longer, and they produce less pollution. Economically, they are the better choice to fueling the products we have created. By being aware of the affects on the environment, people are being educated about the better choice of fuel. It will create more sustainability for the world and will enable people to use resources more effectively. Fuel cells are 40% more efficient than batteries are. They use a hydrocarbon fuel and create more electricity than a standard battery. In addition, in high temperatures they are 85% more efficient than batteries while still reducing the amount of energy consumption (Segura, 2009).
What else can they be used for?
Fuel cells have had a direct impact on the automotive sector. They are most commonly found in aircrafts, ships, trains, buses, motorcycles, cars, forklifts, and trucks. Fuel cells are not just limited to means of transportation. Current research has studied its affects on mobile technological devices. Phones, laptops, and portable electronic devices have undergone recent testing to implement fuel cells into their systems. It can be shown that fuel cells will extend usage time for these devices. Fuel cells can allow these portable electronic devices to be used in places that an electrical grid might not have reached before during times, for example, when someone is vacationing and has limited access to usual resources. Motorola, Toshiba, Samsung, Panasonic, Sanyo and Sony have all investigated means of using fuel cells in portable electronics. By using methanol fuel cells they can power these telecommunication systems. Phones can run for twice as long on a fuel cell than on a regular battery life while only needing 10 minutes to recharge. Laptops have a similar time table enabling usage for up to five hours, a considerable increase from what is available on the market today (Segura, 2009).
In addition to these usages, scientists are looking for ways to create fuel cells that can power generators for hospitals, police stations, and banks. These are three extremely important places that cannot go without power. By creating fuel cells large enough to power these locations, they will be more reliable and order will be able to be maintained in times of disaster (Segura, 2009).
DAY 2: Applications
Fuel Cells in Vehicles
The auto industry is looking more and more into how to develop cars that run on less gas and use as little resources as possible. There are a handful of cars on the market now that do run on fuel cells rather than gasoline. A lot of testing is still being done and problems are still being worked out. Until these problems can be fixed and testing is complete, the market will still be dominated by gasoline run cars. Buses in the cities are being run on fuel cells. Almost all public transportation buses in these cities run on the fuel cells because they are quieter and produce less CO2. Forklifts were one of the first means of transportation to use fuel cells. It was found early how much money organizations could save because the fuel cells required no maintenance, therefore upkeep for the machinery was little to none. Motorcycles are the next type of transportation to be tested for fuel cell usages. Despite their small size, motorcycles are some of the most pollutant vehicles on the road. No testing has really been done on them yet to determine which fuel cell will work best for them but it needs to be developed soon because they produce as much pollution as a diesel engine. Following this, mining trains will be the next piece of machinery that is going to be investigated for fuel cells. So much pollution is already caused by this job but the less additional pollution that can be made, the better (Segura, 2009).
Fuel Cells in the Armed Forces
The United States Armed Forces have relied heavily on fuel cells for just about every aspect of their routines. Fuel cells reduce noise emissions from aircrafts and make it more difficult for the enemy to detect them on the radars due to their ability to operate at low temperatures. Being able to operate at such low temperatures allows them to fly at various points of the atmosphere without any particular risk. Some fuel cells are powered by water and this water production reduces many of the needs of long haul aircrafts. By operating on hydro fuel cells they are able to travel the distances needed without additional stops. Fuel cells are easier for soldiers to maintain as well. They are lighter and more durable than batteries and this enables them to be transported easier and is more reliable with their already dangerous jobs (Segura, 2009).
DAY 3: Different Types of Fuel Cells (Segura, 2009)
- Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell
o A Molten Carbonate Fuel cell is a mixture of Lithium Carbonate and potassium and requires carbon dioxide and oxygen as fuels
o Advantages
§ Allows spontaneous internal reforming fuel
§ Generates a lot of heat
§ Contains high speed reactions
§ Has high efficiency
§ No noble metal catalysts needed
o Disadvantages
§ In order to further research they need to use materials resistant to corrosion
§ Dimensional instability can cause distortion
§ High intolerance to sulphur which means it is more likely to deteriorate
§ Hard to handle because it is a liquid
§ It must be preheated before you can work with it
- Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
o Consists of solid oxide and zirconium
o Electrodes used are nickel or cobalt metals
o Advantages
§ Allows for spontaneous internal reforming fuel
§ Generates a lot of heat
§ Chemical reactions are very fast
§ Has high efficiency
§ Can work densities higher than molten carbonate fuel cells
§ A solid compound
§ No noble metal catalysts
o Disadvantages
§ For total market penetration it needs to develop materials that have sufficient conductivity
§ Moderate intolerance to sulphur
§ Not mature technology
- Alkaline Fuel Cells
o A mixture of potassium hydroxide
o Advantages
§ Works well in low temperatures
§ Starts quickly
§ Has high efficiency
§ Due to its small amount of catalysts it has lower costs
§ Doesn’t have corrosion problems
§ Simple to operate
§ Low weight and volume
o Disadvantages
§ Extremely intolerant to CO2
§ Some intolerance to CO
§ Limits oxidants and fuels because both must be pure oxygen
§ Due to its liquid form it is difficult to handle
§ Require evacuation of water treatment complex
§ Short lifetime
DAY 4: Different Types of Fuel Cells Continued(Segura, 2009)
- Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
o Used in rechargeable things
o Advantages
§ Operates at low temperatures therefore handling and assembling are not complex
§ Non corrosive
§ It is tolerant of CO2 therefore it can use atmospheric air as a fuel
§ Solid form makes it easy to handle
§ High voltage, high current, and high power density
§ Can work at low pressures
§ Good tolerance to different pressures of reactants
§ Compact and robust
§ Simple mechanical design
§ Uses stable building materials
o Disadvantages
§ Sensitive to impurities of hydrogen
§ Low tolerance to sulphur particles
§ Need humidification units instead of reactive gases
§ Use a catalyst and a membrane which is very expensive
- Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell
o Advantages
§ It can tolerate up to 30% CO2 and therefore can use atmospheric air as a fuel
§ When working at medium temperature, they can use the waste heat for cogeneration
§ It uses electrolytes with stable characteristics and therefore has low volatility
o Disadvantages
§ Maximum tolerance of 2% CO
§ Utilize liquid electrolytes therefore is hard to handle and has safety issues
§ Allows entry of water that can dilute the acids
§ Big and heavy
§ Cant auto reform fuel
§ Need to reach a certain temperature before starting to work
- Direct Methanol Fuel Cell
o Ones that would be used in portable electronics
o Advantages
§ Liquid fuel form
§ Size of deposits is less and can take advantage of existing infrastructure provision
§ Don’t need any reforming process
§ Proton exchange membrane
o Disadvantages
§ Low efficiency with respect to the hydrogen cells
§ Need large amounts of catalysts (noble metals) to get it going
DAY 5: How to Build a Hydrogen Fuel Cell (Chapter 3, 2009)
- How to build a hydrogen fuel cell
o Used in space crafts
o Materials
§ 1 foot of platinum coated nickel wire, or pure platinum wire (must be ordered)
§ Popsicle stick or similar small piece of wood or plastic
§ 9 volt battery clip
§ 9 volt battery
§ Transparent sticky tape
§ Glass of water
§ Volt meter
o Construction
§ Step 1: Cut platinum coated wire into 2 six inch long pieces and wind each piece into a coiled spring (these are the electrodes for the fuel)
§ Step 2: Cut the leads of the battery clip in half and strip the insulation off the cut ends.
§ Step 3: Twist the bare wires onto the ends of the platinum coated electrodes. (battery clip will be attached to the electrodes as well the two wires which will later attach to the volt meter)
§ Step 4: Securely tape electrodes to the popsicle stick.
§ Step 5: Securely tape the popsicle stick to the glass of water so the electrodes dangle in the water for nearly their entire length. NOTE: the twisted wire connections must stay out of the water so only the platinum coated electrodes are actually in the water.
§ Step 6: Connect the red wire to the positive terminal of the volt meter and the black to the negative (or common) terminal. Volt meter should read 0 volts at this point (an extremely small number might appear)
o How to make it work
§ To operate it you must cause bubbles of hydrogen to cling to one electrode and bubbles of oxygen to cling to the other. To do this:
· Step 1: Touch the 9 volt battery to the battery clip (you don’t need to clip it on because it will only need to touch for a second or two) when touched, electrolysis occurs and you can see the bubbles start to form
· Step 2: Remove the battery
§ End result: POWER
Works Cited
Chapter 3. (2009). Retrieved April 28, 2010, from Electrochemistry: http://sci-toys.com/scitoys/scitoys/echem/fuel_cell/fuel_cell.html
Segura, A. F. (2009). Fuel Cells: History and updating. A Walk Along Two Centuries. Elsevier , 2309-2322.
