The zero emission vehicles are here !!

FUEL CELL CARS

M. Waseem Nawab (J.E.)Applied Chemistry Laboratories

A Very Relevant Topic !!• The topic of alternative fuel vehicles is

especially relevant as they protect our nature, they protect us !!

• As gas prices continue to rise , we’ll likely see this topic get more and more attention !!• Oil pollutes and there are limited supplies !!

ALTERNATE FUEL VEHICLES • Electric cars -currently out in the market but not very efficient• Solar cars -R&D in process , not very reliable !!• Hybrid cars -utilizes battery as well fuel , however still dependent on fuel

ALTERNATE FUEL VEHICLES • Fuel Cell Vehicles

– Zero Emission Vehicles; only water as exhaust

– Burns hydrogen, produces pure water exhaust

– Amazing R&D by HONDA, BMW etc.

• BMW has broken several speed records for hydrogen cars and is banking on cars that can run successfully on both gas and hydrogen, but Honda emphasizes on fuel cell only cars !!

What is a Fuel Cell?

·Fuel and air react when they come into contact through a porous membrane (electrolyte) which separates them.

·This reaction results in a transfer of electrons and ions across the electrolyte from the anode to the cathode.

If an external load is attached to this arrangement, a complete circuit is formed and a voltage is generated from the flow of electrical current.

The voltage generated by a single cell is typically rather small (< 1 volt), so many cells are connected in series to create a useful voltage.

Quite simply, a fuel cell is a device that converts chemical energy intoelectrical energy, water, and heat through electrochemical reactions.

What Really is a Fuel Cell ??“An old idea whose time has come”

Utilises hydrogen as a fuel to generate electricity No pollutant emitted , water is the only exhaust !!

Fuel cells are similar to batteries, but designed for continuous replenishment of energy via external fuel

Hydrogen FC’s 2 times as efficient as internal combustion

In simple terms , Hydrogen and oxygen in, water vapor and liquid water out ; that’s the basic working principle .

Fuel Cell Vs. Battery• Basic operating principles of both are very similar, but there are several• Intrinsic differences.

·Open system·Anode and cathode are gases in contact with a platinum catalyst.Reactants are externally supplied, no recharging required.

Closed system·Anode and cathode are metals.·Reactants are internally consumed, need periodic recharging.

Fuel Cell Stacks • In order to produce enough

voltage, cells are grouped into stacks

• A hydrogen fuel cell automobile would have at least 45 cells in a stack

• Hydrogen is stored and injected in either liquid or gas form

• Many cells, but only output is still liquid and vapor water

How does a fuel cell really work ??

Where will the hydrogen come from ??• Hydrogen is not readily available for consumer

use yet.• A fuel like natural gas is reformed into hydrogen

which will then go on to power a fuel cell. • Hydrogen can be produced by one of the

following methods :

• Thermochemical : A steam reforming process is currently used to produce hydrogen from such fuels as natural gas, coal, methanol, or even gasoline. To draw on renewable energy sources, the gasification or pyrolysis of biomass—organic material—can be used to generate a fuel gas.

• Electrochemical : The electrolysis of water produces hydrogen by passing an electrical current through it.

Where will the hydrogen come from ??• Photoelectrochemical : The photoelectrochemical (PEC)

process produces hydrogen in one step, splitting water by illuminating a water-immersed semiconductor with sunlight.

• Photobiological : Photobiological systems generally use the natural photosynthetic activity of bacteria and green algae to produce hydrogen.

<< solar powered water electrolyzing hydrogen station

Solar powered >>hydrogen generation plants

Renewable Hydrogen Station

Solar cells

WaterelectrolyzerCompressor

High pressuretanks

Converter

Dispenser

System diagramGrid

Honda R&D facility in Torrance, CA

Solar Array - Electrolysis of Water - H2

10,000 miles / year(from solar array H2 only)

Usage

Home Energy StationHome Refueling with Co-generation of Heat and Electricity

Heat

Electricity

Hydrogen

～～ ～ ～～

Natural gas Reform

Fuel cell

Inverter

CompressStorage tank

～

Purify

HES II in Albany, New York (Honda & Plug Power Development)

Natural Gas line

Hydrogen Fuel- Cell Cars

• Quieter operation than normal cars because of no moving parts in the fuel cell stack and electric motors at the wheels.

• Hydrogen cars run clean. • 500 cubic tons of carbon removed from atmosphere by

2040• New design possibilities

because of compact hydrogen fuel cell stack.

Detachable body~5 minute refueling time-20 to 95 deg. C Fuel Cell Operation100kW Motor PowerNavigation System – H2 stations

57 miles/kg EPA combined rating (label) Up to 210 mile range, EPA rated~5 minute refueling time-20 to 95 deg. C Fuel Cell Operation80kW (109 hp) Motor PowerNavigation System – H2 stations

Fuel-cell CarsFuel-cell Cars

4 Door Sedan, New FC Packaging (V-flow)•Low floor height•FC Stack hidden between seats

Clarity

• Compact• Efficient• Enhanced sub-

zero startup & operation

H2H2

WaterWater

AirAir

New stack architecture: vertical gas and water flow

WORKING PRINCIPLES OF FUEL-CELL CARS Hydrogen injected into

fuel stack

Electricity generated

Electric motor operated by the electricity generated

Wheels get the power through power train

Hydrogen tanks

Fuel Cell Stack

Electric motor

Power Train

WHEELs

WHEELs

WORKING PRINCIPLES OF FUEL-CELL CARS

WORKING PRINCIPLES OF FUEL-CELL CARS

Advantages Dependence on non-renewable fuel which are depleting

day by day is removed

Fuel cell vehicle is the most promising technology for use of sustainable energy sources.

Hydrogen is only type of energy that can provide a wholesale substitute for foreign oil within a decade.

Clean, twice as efficient as internal combustion, and plentiful

No emission vehicles- water is the only exhaust

Disadvantages The hydrogen is not so readily available

Hydrogen is difficult to store and distribute, so it would be much more convenient if fuel cells could use fuels that are more readily available.

Large Fuel cell stacks need to placed for better performance of the vehicles

If hydrogen is produced by a Reformer using fossil fuels etc. , there is some extent of environmental pollution.

Technology currently expensive ; Many design issues still in progress

CONCLUSION• We should aggressively pursue hydrogen fuel cell

vehicles• There are definite issues, but nothing compared to

the environmental issues associated with being wholly dependent on oil.

• We need to look beyond the sticker price , we need to play our part in the sustainable development and in protecting our environment .

• Newer Versions of fuel cell cars like the honda clarity are sporty, have speed and all other properties , which means you don’t have to sacrifice to play your part for the environment.

Questions ??Thank you !!