Transcript Hydrogen: Fuel of the Future - The Global Change Program

Hydrogen: Fuel of the Future
James Paulson
Jack Stewart
April 11, 2006
A World Issue
• After fossil fuels, what will become the fuel
of the future?
• The solution is simple, but the
implementation may take some time.
Outline
• Fuel Cell Technology
• Fuel Cell History
• Future Development
• Q&A
Fuel Cell
• A hydrogen fuel cell works by converting the
chemical energy of hydrogen and oxygen into
direct current.
• Currently, many prototypes of fuel cells are being
tested. The most promising model is the polymer
electrolyte membrane (PEM).
• The fuel cell’s primary components are the
anode, cathode, electrolyte, and the catalyst.
Anode
• The anode is the negative side of the cell.
• It attracts the nucleus of the hydrogen
atoms.
Cathode
• The cathode is the positive side of the cell.
• It attracts the electrons.
Electrolyte
• The electrolyte is a thin sheet that
separates the anode and cathode.
• It also blocks the electrons from passing
through.
• This is sometimes referred to as the proton
exchange membrane.
Catalyst
• In general, a catalyst is a substance in
which a chemical reaction takes place.
• The fuel cell catalyst is coated with
platinum or ruthenium dust and set against
the electrolyte and hosts the reaction.
Fuel Cell History
• 1800 - British scientists
William Grove (1811-1896)
William Nicholson and Anthony
Carlisle demonstrate that
water could be divided into
hydrogen and oxygen, using
electricity.
• 1837 - William Grove
produces electricity in the
world’s first fuel cell.
• 1889 - Ludwig Mond and Carl
Langer develope a solid
electrolyte. This was the first
step in the development of the
plastic membrane in the
modern proton exchange
membrane (PEM) fuel cell.
1950’s
• 1950s - Fuel cells were
Ihrig’s 20-horsepower tractor
demonstrated in practical
applications.
• 1959 - Francis Bacon created
a welding machine powered by
a five kilowatt alkaline/nickel
fuel cell.
• 1959 - Harry Karl Ihrig, of the
Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing
Company builds the world’s
first fuel cell vehicle.
1960’s
• 1960s – Fuel cell innovations
Gemini Spacecraft
created speculation in the
media about the possibilities of
fuel cells and increased public
knowledge of the technology.
• 1962 - NASA begins the
Gemini program, using a new
General Electric fuel cell
system in Gemini’s crew
capsule. This fuel cell system
utilized a Teflon-based solid
plastic electrolyte.
• This was the second major
step toward the modern
proton exchange membrane.
1970’s
• 1970s – Environment degradation receives publicity.
• The EPA begins requiring auto companies to reduce
vehicle emissions.
• 1973 – Oil Crisis
• These events renew interest in fuel cell technology,
especially in technologies to be used on Earth.
• U.S. government increases research effort to
decrease costs, increase efficiency, develop materials
and find the best fuel source.
1980’s
• 1980s – Research effort
•
•
continues
Auto companies begin
testing fuel cell systems
in prototypes
Unable to overcome
problems with inefficiency
and high costs, they
remained impractical and
unpopular.
1990’s
• 1993 - Ballard Power Systems
Ballard’s Fuel Cell Bus
created a revolutionary fuel
cell bus. The bus showed that
fuel cells were a clean
alternative that could be useful
in the real world.
• Increased fuel cell research
• More vehicle companies began
investing in fuel cell
technologies and creating
prototype vehicles
• Companies began copying and
improving upon Ballard's
design.
1990’s cont.
• 1996 – Hydrogen Future Act
of 1996 creates research
program run by the Dept. of
Energy (DOE)
• Goal is to explore hydrogen as
a fuel and encourage private
sector development
• 1997 - Daimler Benz and
Toyota release prototype fuel
cell cars.
• 1998 - Iceland announces a
10-year plan to create a
hydrogen economy.
2000’s
• 2000’s – Proliferation of fuel
Toyota
Volkswagen
cell technology among auto
companies
• Improvements in Proton
Exchange Membrane (PEM)
tech. allow fuel cells to operate
at lower temperatures, with
higher power densities.
• Prototype vehicles introduced
• Fuel cell vehicles become more
available to consumers
Fuel Cell Conclusions
• No pollution caused by burning
fossil fuels-- water is the only
by-product
• Decreases dependence on
foreign countries for energy
• Stationary fuel cells
decentralize power grid
• More efficient than diesel and
gas engines
• Quieter than diesel and gas
engines
• Lower operating temperature
• Fueling fuel cells is
problematic because
transporting hydrogen is
difficult
• Reforming hydrocarbons to get
hydrogen creates pollution
• Expensive to produce
• Some fuel cells use very
expensive materials (e.g.
platinum).
The Future of Hydrogen
• Today, the prospect of fuel cells is being chased
•
•
•
very rapidly.
Automakers worldwide are all attempting to be
able to mass produce a vehicle that is powered
by hydrogen.
Some industry leaders are even attempting to
create a hydrogen hybrid vehicle.
Only time will tell where it all goes…