Introduction to Environmental Engineering

ME 485: Final Presentation

Spring 2015

Development of alternative energy sources Fuel Cells

Presented by

Siddhesh SawantRahul Goregaonkar

Need for Alternative Energy Source Ever increasing population

Extensive use of natural resources to meet energy needs

Unbalance in the environment

Global warming

World Scenario

Global satellite-derived map of PM2.5 averaged over 2001-2006. Credit: Dalhousie University, Aaron van Donkelaar

What is a Fuel Cell? Electrochemical device (a galvanic cell) which converts free

energy of a chemical reaction into electrical energy.

Components of a fuel cell• An anode: conducts electrons• A membrane: conducts protons• A cathode: conducts electrons• Bipolar plates (or Interconnects)

What is a Fuel Cell?

What is a Fuel Cell?

Source: J. Larminie and A. Dicks, Fuel Cell Systems Explained, John Wiley, UK, 2000.

History

Characteristics of Fuel Cell Systems High Efficiency and Reliability

Unique Operating Characteristics

Planning Flexibility

Unparalleled Low Emissions

Noise Emissions

Characteristics of Fuel Cell Systems

Types of Fuel Cells Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC)

Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC)

Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC)

Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFC)

Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFC)

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC)

Types of Fuel Cells Biological Fuel Cells

Zinc/Air Battery and Other Metal/Air Cells

Redox or Regenerative Fuel Cells

Applications of Fuel Cell Systems

Stationary Fuel Cell Plants

http://casfcc.org/STATIONARY_FC_MAP/

CSUN Fuel Cell Plant

Features Generates 8,333,000 kilowatt hours of electricity.

Combined heat and power efficiency of plant is 83%.

Reduces greenhouse gas emission by 69% compared to conventional power generation.

Represents a saving of $7 million over the next 15 years.

First institution in the world to have grid connected fuel cell plant with 1MW capacity.

Produces no NOx, CO, SOx or particulate emission.

Power Generation

Fuel Cell Vehicles

Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell Type: proton-exchange membrane, 114 kW

Motor Type: synchronous AC, 151 hp, 247 lb-ft, nickel-metal- hydride battery pack

11 pounds of hydrogen at 10,000 psi

100 cc per mile water generated

Toyota Mirai Structure

Internal structure of FCV Toyota Mirai and actual flow of hydrogen and air to react and generate electric power to run the vehicle.

http://www.toyota.com/mirai/fcv.html?srchid=sem|google|FCV|Model_FCV|Mirai_General_E|FCV+Copy+Refresh+4.22|

Performance Charts

U.S. Car Corporate Average Fuel Economy Annual CO2 per mile

http://www.toyota.com/usa/environmentreport2014/carbon.html

ConclusionHydrogen fuel cells are a promising alternative to current automobile fuels. They essentially combine the energy density and the convenience of liquid fuels with the clean and efficient operation of electric vehicles. Although certain aspects of the technology such as efficient on-board storage still require some improvement, there are no reasons why hydrogen couldn’t become an equally convenient and attractive transportation fuel as diesel or gasoline are today.

Thank you!