The Future of Power Fuel Cells

What are Fuel Cells? Electrochemical conversion device A fuel cell a battery that does not need recharging. Batteries produce electricity from electrochemical reactions inside the battery. But batteries have a limiting amount of reactants. Once reactants run out-battery dead. A fuel cell a battery that does not need recharging. Batteries produce electricity from electrochemical reactions inside the battery. But batteries have a limiting amount of reactants. Once reactants run out-battery dead. Batteries store energy. As long as hydrogen and oxygen is supplied, fuel cell can continually produce energy. Batteries store energy. As long as hydrogen and oxygen is supplied, fuel cell can continually produce energy.

Fuel cell diagram

Why Fuel cells? More Efficient More Efficient Requires less maintenance, doesn’t overheat, no moving partsRequires less maintenance, doesn’t overheat, no moving parts Emissions are less harmful Emissions are less harmful Fuel cell electricity plants create 1 ounce of pollution vs. internal combustion electricity plants create 25 pounds of pollutionFuel cell electricity plants create 1 ounce of pollution vs. internal combustion electricity plants create 25 pounds of pollution Near zero harmful gases such as Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, Nitrous Oxides, etc.Near zero harmful gases such as Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, Nitrous Oxides, etc. Energy ratings are higher than fossil fuels Energy ratings are higher than fossil fuels Energy flow in automobiles are greater than combustion cars Energy flow in automobiles are greater than combustion cars Can reach 0 mph to 60 mph in less than 4-6 secondsCan reach 0 mph to 60 mph in less than 4-6 seconds

Application of Fuel Cells Stationary Stationary Power PlantsPower Plants SpacecraftsSpacecrafts Military ApplicationsMilitary Applications BuildingsBuildings Remote LocationsRemote Locations Backup PowerBackup Power Vehicular Vehicular Electric/Hybrid CarsElectric/Hybrid Cars Military VehiclesMilitary Vehicles PlanesPlanes Public TransportationPublic Transportation

Hydrogen Power Step 1

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Hydrogen Power Part2 Pros Pros The only emission is waterThe only emission is water Hydrogen is easy to obtain from waterHydrogen is easy to obtain from water Theoretical efficiency: 75% to 87%Theoretical efficiency: 75% to 87% Trouble rarely occursTrouble rarely occurs Accidental combustion Accidental combustion Leakage (Solid metal tanks) Leakage (Solid metal tanks) Pros Pros The only emission is waterThe only emission is water Hydrogen is easy to obtain from waterHydrogen is easy to obtain from water Theoretical efficiency: 75% to 87%Theoretical efficiency: 75% to 87% Trouble rarely occursTrouble rarely occurs Accidental combustion Accidental combustion Leakage (Solid metal tanks) Leakage (Solid metal tanks)

Hydrogen Power Pt2 Cons Cons Realistic efficiency only reaches about 18% to 30%Realistic efficiency only reaches about 18% to 30% Hydrogen from water isn’t enough and must be obtained other ways which may result in increase of other harmful gasesHydrogen from water isn’t enough and must be obtained other ways which may result in increase of other harmful gases Hydrogen in the gas form is tough because of the energy density. In a liquid form, hydrogen operates more effectively but storing it requires high pressure and low temperatures thus making it more difficult.Hydrogen in the gas form is tough because of the energy density. In a liquid form, hydrogen operates more effectively but storing it requires high pressure and low temperatures thus making it more difficult. Sometimes much more expensive than fuel cars due to the complex machines that help store, moderate and move hydrogen through the carSometimes much more expensive than fuel cars due to the complex machines that help store, moderate and move hydrogen through the car Impurities tend to ruin the chemical catalyst rendering lower efficiency and life expectancyImpurities tend to ruin the chemical catalyst rendering lower efficiency and life expectancy Cons Cons Realistic efficiency only reaches about 18% to 30%Realistic efficiency only reaches about 18% to 30% Hydrogen from water isn’t enough and must be obtained other ways which may result in increase of other harmful gasesHydrogen from water isn’t enough and must be obtained other ways which may result in increase of other harmful gases Hydrogen in the gas form is tough because of the energy density. In a liquid form, hydrogen operates more effectively but storing it requires high pressure and low temperatures thus making it more difficult.Hydrogen in the gas form is tough because of the energy density. In a liquid form, hydrogen operates more effectively but storing it requires high pressure and low temperatures thus making it more difficult. Sometimes much more expensive than fuel cars due to the complex machines that help store, moderate and move hydrogen through the carSometimes much more expensive than fuel cars due to the complex machines that help store, moderate and move hydrogen through the car Impurities tend to ruin the chemical catalyst rendering lower efficiency and life expectancyImpurities tend to ruin the chemical catalyst rendering lower efficiency and life expectancy

“Hydrogen On Demand” Storage Millenium Cell is the leader in developing sodium borohydride-based energy sources. Using a proprietary catalyst, “Hydrogen on Demand” systems can support a range of applications from personal electronics to transportation. Millenium Cell is the leader in developing sodium borohydride-based energy sources. Using a proprietary catalyst, “Hydrogen on Demand” systems can support a range of applications from personal electronics to transportation. Sodium borohydride (NaBH4) is a compound with very high hydrogen content. When NaBH4 is in an aqueous solution and then passed over a catalyst, it produces a large amount of hydrogen, along with a benign can be recycled back into sodium borohydride. Sodium borohydride (NaBH4) is a compound with very high hydrogen content. When NaBH4 is in an aqueous solution and then passed over a catalyst, it produces a large amount of hydrogen, along with a benign can be recycled back into sodium borohydride. It is very costly however. Sodium borohydride, not currently a popular chemical reagent, is expensive to purchase, and it is unknown whether the price would decrease enough to be cost efficient if used in fuel cell hydrogen storage. It is very costly however. Sodium borohydride, not currently a popular chemical reagent, is expensive to purchase, and it is unknown whether the price would decrease enough to be cost efficient if used in fuel cell hydrogen storage.

Solar Fuel Cells Directly converts sunlight into electrical power Directly converts sunlight into electrical power Solar radiation reaches the earth’s upper atmosphere at a rate of 1366 watts per square meter Solar radiation reaches the earth’s upper atmosphere at a rate of 1366 watts per square meter As seen from above, the Sun is really powerful As seen from above, the Sun is really powerful The main reagent for producing electricity is silicon although other semi conductors are being tested currently The main reagent for producing electricity is silicon although other semi conductors are being tested currently

Solar- Pros/Cons Pros Pros A field of panels can supply a townA field of panels can supply a town Relatively cheap compared to other methodsRelatively cheap compared to other methods Absolutely no emissions except when manufacturing the cellsAbsolutely no emissions except when manufacturing the cells Energy ratio (energy used to energy produced) is about 5.6 timesEnergy ratio (energy used to energy produced) is about 5.6 times Cons Cons Realistic efficiency reaches peak at 28%, normally around 16% to 19%Realistic efficiency reaches peak at 28%, normally around 16% to 19% Lots of variables affect the performance of the cells:Lots of variables affect the performance of the cells: Heat Heat Shadows Shadows Photonic Power Photonic Power Crystal Defects Crystal Defects

Comparison

Comparison pt2

Future of fuel cells Already being used in smaller devices (cell phones, laptops, mp3 players) Already being used in smaller devices (cell phones, laptops, mp3 players) With close to zero emissions, definitely will be used With close to zero emissions, definitely will be used Currently too difficult to store and too expensive to produce Currently too difficult to store and too expensive to produce Development is going on to bring efficiency up to +90% Development is going on to bring efficiency up to +90%