Fuel Cell OverviewFuel Cell Overview

ProjectProject lead the way lead the way OhioOhio Hocking CollegeHocking College

Fuel Cell Training SeminarFuel Cell Training SeminarJuly 23 – 27, 2007July 23 – 27, 2007

Fuel Cell OriginsFuel Cell Origins

William Grove of England in 1839 William Grove of England in 1839 developed the first fuel celldeveloped the first fuel cell– He combined gases to produce electricity and He combined gases to produce electricity and

waterwater– Grove called it a Grove called it a “gas battery”“gas battery”

William Grove and his “Gas Battery”William Grove and his “Gas Battery”

William Grove's drawing of an experimentalWilliam Grove's drawing of an experimental"gas battery" from an 1843 letter "gas battery" from an 1843 letter

Image from Image from Proceedings of the Royal SocietyProceedings of the Royal Society

Fuel Cells and EnergyFuel Cells and Energy

A fuel cell is an A fuel cell is an electrochemicalelectrochemical device that converts energy device that converts energy produced from a chemical produced from a chemical reaction into electrical energyreaction into electrical energy–This chemical reaction This chemical reaction is not a is not a

combustion processcombustion process

Fuel Cells and EnergyFuel Cells and Energy

More specifically it is a conversion device More specifically it is a conversion device that converts hydrogen and oxygen into that converts hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, heat, and water. electricity, heat, and water.

Chemical Energy Chemical Energy Electrical Energy Electrical Energy

How does the Fuel Cell operate? (battery comparison)How does the Fuel Cell operate? (battery comparison)similar in converting chemical energy to electrical energy but similar in converting chemical energy to electrical energy but

different in thatdifferent in that

H2 in

A battery’s reactantsare self-contained

A fuel cell’s reactants are supplied externally

H2 out

Air in

Air out

- +

- +

Fuel cells produce direct current, or D/C, electricity. Alternating current, or A/C, is the electrical standard for most uses such as home or building power.

Another device called a power inverter is used to change the electricity from D/C to A/C.

Converting DC to AC

Why The Interest After ~ 160 Years?Why The Interest After ~ 160 Years?

US cannot produce enough oil to meet demand, and it US cannot produce enough oil to meet demand, and it consumes much of itconsumes much of it

–Produces only 9% of global supply, Produces only 9% of global supply, –Has only 3% of global reserve,Has only 3% of global reserve,–Consumes 26% of world’s oil (20 million barrels / day)Consumes 26% of world’s oil (20 million barrels / day)

US daily supply increased from 36% (1975), to 55% US daily supply increased from 36% (1975), to 55% (2001), and expected to increase to 62% by 2020(2001), and expected to increase to 62% by 2020

Demand for energy is increasing (estimated to grow by Demand for energy is increasing (estimated to grow by 54% worldwide) due to a changing world economy 54% worldwide) due to a changing world economy (China).(China).

Demand for gasoline is reflected at the pumpDemand for gasoline is reflected at the pump

Intro to Fuel CellIntro to Fuel Cell

Why The Interest After ~ 160 Years?Why The Interest After ~ 160 Years?

The growing dependence on oil puts us at The growing dependence on oil puts us at serious riskserious risk

Shipment interruption of oil for prolonged Shipment interruption of oil for prolonged time could disrupt the nation economy (transport time could disrupt the nation economy (transport product, drive to work, fly to meetings, heat and product, drive to work, fly to meetings, heat and light homes and businesses)light homes and businesses)

We need alternative energy sources for We need alternative energy sources for homeland security and fuel cells are one of these homeland security and fuel cells are one of these sourcessources

Intro to Fuel CellIntro to Fuel Cell

More Reasons WhyMore Reasons Why

Air pollution and the environmentAir pollution and the environment

– Burned gasoline produces poisonous carbon Burned gasoline produces poisonous carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and unburned monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and unburned hydrocarbons that cause smog (ozone) and contribute hydrocarbons that cause smog (ozone) and contribute to climate change and increase in the planet’s to climate change and increase in the planet’s temperaturetemperature

– One burned gallon of gas releases around 6.5 One burned gallon of gas releases around 6.5 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (when pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (when the entire fuel cycle, including production, the entire fuel cycle, including production, transportation, storage, and use are considered)transportation, storage, and use are considered)

COCO2 2 From Burning GasolineFrom Burning Gasoline

If perfect combustion was produced in a car’s engine, If perfect combustion was produced in a car’s engine, we would obtain the following:we would obtain the following:

Gasoline + OxygenGasoline + Oxygen CO CO22 + H + H22O + HeatO + Heat

In a fuel cell that only uses hydrogen the reaction is: In a fuel cell that only uses hydrogen the reaction is:

Hydrogen + Oxygen Hydrogen + Oxygen H H22O + HeatO + Heat

COCO2 2 From Burning GasolineFrom Burning Gasoline

If we burned 20 gallons of gas in a car and If we burned 20 gallons of gas in a car and convert our chemical reaction to poundsconvert our chemical reaction to pounds

2C2C88HH1818 + 25O + 25O2 2 16CO16CO22 + 18H + 18H22OO

122 lbs + 427 lbs122 lbs + 427 lbs 375lbs + 174 375lbs + 174

lbslbs

Fuel cell applications (3 main Fuel cell applications (3 main categories)categories)

Transportation (cars, buses, recreation Transportation (cars, buses, recreation vehicles)vehicles)

Mobile, small size (laptops, cellular phones, Mobile, small size (laptops, cellular phones, hearing aids, heart pacemakers)hearing aids, heart pacemakers)

Stationary, power generation: generators for Stationary, power generation: generators for homes (can also heat the house and the water homes (can also heat the house and the water tank), back-up power for hospitals and tank), back-up power for hospitals and factories, power plantsfactories, power plants

Fuel Cells For TransportationFuel Cells For Transportation

In transportation applications the In transportation applications the inverter to AC in not neededinverter to AC in not needed

When hydrogen is available the When hydrogen is available the reformer is not neededreformer is not needed

Fuel cell applicationsFuel cell applications

Cell phones that don’t quit in mid conversation Cell phones that don’t quit in mid conversation because the batteries have diedbecause the batteries have died

Laptop computers that run all day without power Laptop computers that run all day without power cordscords

Efficient automobiles that emit virtually no Efficient automobiles that emit virtually no nitrogen oxide or hydrocarbon pollutantsnitrogen oxide or hydrocarbon pollutants

Fuel cell applicationsFuel cell applications

Tiny self-powered gas sensors built on integrated Tiny self-powered gas sensors built on integrated circuitscircuits

Home electrical systems that keep working even if Home electrical systems that keep working even if the power grid failsthe power grid fails

Sensors, electronic weapons, and communication Sensors, electronic weapons, and communication gear for soldiers in the fieldgear for soldiers in the field

Replacement for Li ion batteries in portable Replacement for Li ion batteries in portable electronic deviceselectronic devices

Intro to Fuel CellIntro to Fuel Cell What are the types of fuel cell applications?What are the types of fuel cell applications?

Similarities Between Fuel Cells Similarities Between Fuel Cells and Batteriesand Batteries

A fuel cell is very similar to a battery in that A fuel cell is very similar to a battery in that a battery also converts chemical energy to a battery also converts chemical energy to electrical energyelectrical energy

The electricity produced is DCThe electricity produced is DC

Both use an electrolyte to conduct Both use an electrolyte to conduct ionsions

Fuel Cells and Batteries Fuel Cells and Batteries DifferencesDifferences

A battery is an energy storage device that has a A battery is an energy storage device that has a fixed amount of chemical energyfixed amount of chemical energy

A fuel cell will keep producing electricity as long A fuel cell will keep producing electricity as long as fuel is suppliedas fuel is supplied

Fuel cell reactions do not degrade over timeFuel cell reactions do not degrade over time

Fuels In a Fuel CellFuels In a Fuel Cell

Most fuel cells commonly use hydrogen Most fuel cells commonly use hydrogen and oxygen and oxygen

Because hydrogen is not readily Because hydrogen is not readily availably, fuel cell systems often include availably, fuel cell systems often include another system called a another system called a fuel reformerfuel reformer or or fuel processor that extracts hydrogen fuel processor that extracts hydrogen from hydrocarbons such as natural gas.from hydrocarbons such as natural gas.

Efficiencies of Energy SystemsEfficiencies of Energy Systems

SystemSystem Energy InEnergy In Energy OutEnergy Out Efficiency %Efficiency %

Incandescent lampIncandescent lamp ElectricalElectrical LightLight 55

Fluorescent lampFluorescent lamp ElectricalElectrical LightLight 2020

Solar cellSolar cell LightLight ElectricalElectrical 2525

Automobile engineAutomobile engine ChemicalChemical MechanicalMechanical 2525

Nuclear PowerNuclear Power NuclearNuclear ElectricalElectrical 3030

Steam turbineSteam turbine HeatHeat MechanicalMechanical 4747

Fuel cellFuel cell ChemicalChemical ElectricalElectrical 6060

Dry Cell batteryDry Cell battery ChemicalChemical ElectricalElectrical 9090

Electric generatorElectric generator MechanicalMechanical ElectricalElectrical 9999

FUEL CELL TYPES FUEL CELL TYPES

PEMFC (proton exchange PEMFC (proton exchange membrane)membrane)

DMFC (direct methanol)DMFC (direct methanol) SOCF (solid oxide)SOCF (solid oxide)

AFC (alkaline)AFC (alkaline) PAFC (phosphoric acid)PAFC (phosphoric acid)

MCFC (Molten Carbonate)MCFC (Molten Carbonate)

Source: US DOE, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Factors Promoting Fuel Cell Factors Promoting Fuel Cell Applications in CarsApplications in Cars

If just 10% of cars used fuel cells, US oil imports could be If just 10% of cars used fuel cells, US oil imports could be reduced by over 100 million barrels per year, andmore reduced by over 100 million barrels per year, andmore than 1 million tons of air pollutantsthan 1 million tons of air pollutants

Fuel cell vehicles are 70-90% cleaner than gasoline Fuel cell vehicles are 70-90% cleaner than gasoline vehicles and produce 70% fewer carbon dioxide emissionsvehicles and produce 70% fewer carbon dioxide emissions

When fuel is pure hydrogen, fuel cell can provide When fuel is pure hydrogen, fuel cell can provide pollution-free energy (water and heat, in addition to pollution-free energy (water and heat, in addition to electricity)electricity)

Driving 10,000 miles per year in a car releases Driving 10,000 miles per year in a car releases approximately 8,000 pounds of COapproximately 8,000 pounds of CO22

Intro to Fuel CellIntro to Fuel Cell

Why Fuel Cell? (properties)Why Fuel Cell? (properties)

If just 10% of cars used fuel cells, US oil imports If just 10% of cars used fuel cells, US oil imports could be reduced by over 100 million barrels per year, could be reduced by over 100 million barrels per year, and more than 1 million tons of air pollutantsand more than 1 million tons of air pollutants

Fuel cell vehicles are 70-90% cleaner than gasoline Fuel cell vehicles are 70-90% cleaner than gasoline vehicles and produce 70% fewer carbon dioxide vehicles and produce 70% fewer carbon dioxide emissionsemissions

When fuel is pure hydrogen, fuel cell can provide When fuel is pure hydrogen, fuel cell can provide pollution-free energy (water and heat, in addition to pollution-free energy (water and heat, in addition to electricity)electricity)

Driving 10,000 miles per year in a car releases Driving 10,000 miles per year in a car releases approximately 8,000 pounds of COapproximately 8,000 pounds of CO22

Factors Influencing Fuel CellsFactors Influencing Fuel Cells

““Carbon Neutral” A growing movement primarily in Carbon Neutral” A growing movement primarily in western countries promoting a lifestyle that on balance western countries promoting a lifestyle that on balance does not add carbon to the environmentdoes not add carbon to the environment

Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations -assigning Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations -assigning mandatory emission limitations for the reduction of mandatory emission limitations for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to the signatory nationsgreenhouse gas emissions to the signatory nations

President Bush’s “Twenty in Ten” Plan President Bush’s “Twenty in Ten” Plan mandatory mandatory standards to raise production of renewable fuels to standards to raise production of renewable fuels to 35 35 billion gallons per year by 2017billion gallons per year by 2017

SummarySummary

A fuel cell is a battery that produces DC current and A fuel cell is a battery that produces DC current and voltagevoltageMost fuel cells use hydrogen which burns cleaner Most fuel cells use hydrogen which burns cleaner compared to hydrocarbon fuelscompared to hydrocarbon fuelsA fuel cell will keep producing electricity as long as fuel is A fuel cell will keep producing electricity as long as fuel is suppliedsuppliedThe energy efficiency of fuel cells is high when The energy efficiency of fuel cells is high when compared to many other energy systemscompared to many other energy systemsThere is great interest in fuel cells for automotive and There is great interest in fuel cells for automotive and electronic applicationselectronic applicationsThere will be employment for technicians particularly in There will be employment for technicians particularly in Ohio’s fuel cell industry.Ohio’s fuel cell industry.

ResourcesResources

““Intro to PEM Fuel Cells” PowerPoint Intro to PEM Fuel Cells” PowerPoint Presentation by Katrina M. Fritz of Case Presentation by Katrina M. Fritz of Case Western Reserve University, July 2005 Western Reserve University, July 2005 Workshop at Stark State UniversityWorkshop at Stark State University