1. Alternative fuel technology
MAT 1153
Alternative fuel technology
Chapter 5 - Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Vehicle
MOHD FAIRUS JAMID

2. Hydrogen Fuel Cells: The power of tomorrow

3. What is a Fuel Cell?
Is an electrochemical reactions device that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, with water and heat as its by- product.
Unlike a battery, chemicals are not stored in the fuel cell; they must be replenished
Using a fuel and an oxidant
Possible fuel sources: hydrogen, alcohols, hydrocarbons, gasoline
Possible oxidants: oxygen, chlorine, chlorine dioxide

4. what is a fuel cell?

5. Structural characteristics of PEMFC membranes
what is a fuel cell?
Structural characteristics of PEMFC membranes

6. what is a fuel cell?
Anode (-) and Cathode (+) on each side of the fuel cell, divided by an electrolyte
Hydrogen gas is channeled through anode side; oxygen passes through cathode
Platinum catalyst oxidizes hydrogen atoms into H+ and electrons
Electrons pass along external circuit; conduct electricity before entering cathode
Electrolyte allows H+ to pass into the cathode
In cathode, catalyst combines H+ , O2- and electrons, forming H2O and heat

7. what is a fuel cell? Anode: 2H2 => 4H+ + 4e-
Cathode: O2 + 4H+ + 4e- => 2H2O
Net Reaction: 2H2 + O2 => 2H2O
Exact opposite of electrolysis

8. what is a fuel cell?

9. what is a fuel cell?

10. Fuel cell stack components
what is a fuel cell?
Fuel cell stack components

11. Construction of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle

12. Construction of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle

13. Construction of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle

14. Construction of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle
The P2000, zero-emission vehicle that utilizes a direct hydrogen polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

15. The complete fuel-cell stack system

16. How does a fuel cell work?
A Fuel Cell consists of two catalyst coated electrodes surrounding an electrolyte
One electrode is an anode and the other is a cathode
The process begins when Hydrogen molecules enter the anode
The catalyst coating separates hydrogen’s negatively charged electrons from the positively charged protons
The electrolyte allows the protons to pass through to the cathode, but not the electrons
Instead the electrons are directed through an external circuit which creates electrical current
While the electrons pass through the external circuit, oxygen molecules pass through the cathode
There the oxygen and the protons combine with the electrons after they have passed through the external circuit
When the oxygen and the protons combine with the electrons it produces water and heat
Individual fuel cells can then be placed in a series to form a fuel cell stack
The stack can be used in a system to power a vehicle or to provide stationary power to a building

17. Fuel Cell vs. Battery

18. Fuel Cell vs. ICE

19. Glossary of Terms used in describing Fuel Cell Technology

20. Glossary of Terms used in describing Fuel Cell Technology

21. Types of Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
Alkaline Fuel Cells
Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells
Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Regenerative Fuel Cells

22. Types of Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Electrolyte
Operating Conditions
Alkaline FC (AFC)
Aq. KOH
Operates at room temp. to 80 0C
Apollo fuel cell
Proton Exchange
Membrane FC (PEMFC)
Sulfonated Polymers
Operates best at C
Hydrogen fuel
Originally developed by GE for space
Phosphoric Acid FC (PAFC)
H3PO4
Operates best at ~200 0C
Stationary energy storage device
Molten Carbonate FC (MCFC)
(Na, K, Li)2CO3
Operates best at 550 0C
Nickel catalysts, ceramic separator membrane
Hydrocarbon fuels reformed in situ
Solid Oxide FC (SOFC)
YSZ
Operates at 900 0C
Conducting ceramic oxide electrodes
Direct Methanol Fuel Cell
(DMFC)
Methanol Fuel
For portable electronic devices

23. Types of Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM)
This is the leading cell type for passenger car application
Uses a polymer membrane as the electrolyte
Operates at a relatively low temperature, about 175 degrees
Has a high power density, can vary its output quickly and is suited for applications where quick startup is required making it popular for automobiles
Sensitive to fuel impurities.

24. Types of Hydrogen Fuel Cells

25. Present-Day Applications

26. Present-Day Applications

27. Experience - refueling

28. Hydrogen Source

29. Importance of Hydrogen Source
Hydrogen is a secondary energy resource, meaning it must be made from another fuel
Hydrogen can be produced from a wide variety of energy resources including:
Fossil fuels, such as natural gas and coal
Nuclear energy
Renewable resources, such as solar,water, wind and biomass

30. hydrogen production
The biggest challenge regarding hydrogen production is the cost
Reducing the cost of hydrogen production so as to compete in the transportation sector with conventional fuels on a per-mile basis is a significant hurdle to Fuel Cell’s success in the commercial marketplace
There are three general categories of Hydrogen production
Thermal Processes
Electrolyte Processes
Photolytic Processes
Natural Gas Reforming
Gasification
Renewable Liquid Reforming

31. hydrogen production Natural Gas Reforming Steam Methane Reforming
Hydrogen is produced from methane in natural gas using high-temperature steam
Methane reacts with the steam in presence of a catalyst to produce hydrogen
This process accounts for about 95% of the hydrogen used today in the U.S.
Partial oxidation
Produces hydrogen by burning methane in air
Gasification
Process in which coal or biomass is converted into gaseous components by applying heat under pressure and in the presence of steam
A subsequent series of chemical reactions produces a synthesis gas which reacts with steam to produce more hydrogen that can be separated

32. hydrogen production Renewable Liquid Reforming
Biomass is processed to make renewable liquid fuels, such as ethanol or bio-oil, that are then reacted with high-temperature steam to produce hydrogen
This process is very similar to reforming natural gas
Electrolytic Processes
Electrolytic processes use an electric current to split water into hydrogen and oxygen
The electricity required can be generated by using renewable energy technologies such as wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric power
Photolytic Processes
Uses light energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen
These processes are in the very early stages of research but offer the possibility of hydrogen production which is cost effective and has a low environmental impact

33. hydrogen production

34. hydrogen storage
Developing safe, reliable, compact and cost-effective hydrogen storage is one of the biggest challenges to widespread use of fuel cell technology
Hydrogen has physical characteristics that make it difficult to store large quantities without taking up a great deal of space
Hydrogen will need to be stored onboard vehicles, at hydrogen production sites, refueling stations and stationary power sites
Hydrogen has a very high energy content by weight (3x more than gasoline) and a very low energy content by volume (4x less than gasoline)
If the hydrogen is compressed and stored at room temperature under moderate pressure, too large a fuel tank would be required
Researchers are trying to find light-weight, safe, composite materials that can help reduce the weight and volume of compressed gas storage systems
Energy, Economics, and the Environment. Cases and Materials Second Edition. Chapter 15 Energy in Transportation p. 1200

35. hydrogen storage
Liquid hydrogen could be kept in a smaller tank than gaseous hydrogen, but liquefying hydrogen is complicated and not energy efficient
Liquid hydrogen is also extremely sensitive to heat and expands significantly when warmed by even a few degrees, thus the tank insulation required affects the weight and volume that can be stored
If the hydrogen is compressed and cryogenically frozen it will take up a very small amount of space requiring a smaller tank, but it must be kept supercold- around -120 to degrees Celsius
Energy, Economics, and the Environment. Cases and Materials Second Edition. Chapter 15 Energy in Transportation p. 1200

36. Disadvantages Fuel cells require specific humidity, pressure, etc.
Catalysts are pricey and sensitive to poisoning
Difficult to produce hydrogen
Difficult to store optimum amounts of Hydrogen
If fuels other than hydrogen are used, some greenhouse gasses are emitted
Very few cars currently running on hydrogen

37. Advantages Environmental Benefits - Reduce air pollution.
Create less than one ounce of pollution per 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity produced
Conventional combustion generating systems produce 25 pounds of pollutants for the same electricity
The only byproducts of these Fuel Cell vehicles are water and heat
Battery replacement/alternative
Fuel Cell replacements for batteries would offer much longer operating life in a packaged of lighter or equal weight
Additionally, Fuel Cell replacements would have an environmental advantage over batteries, since certain kinds of batteries require special disposal treatment
It is a clean, quiet and highly efficient process- two to three times more efficient than fuel burning.

38. conclusion Hydrogen fuel cells are efficient, and clean
Also expensive, and require specific humidity, temperature, pressure
With more technological advancements, could be used in mass production for various applications
Not an instant fix for the energy crisis, but definitely a major component
Promising technology
Most viable for niche market use in the near future
Widespread marketplace acceptance and use is still many years away

39. THANK YOU