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Updates 16022009
US chemical engineers create world's smallest working fuel cell.
The design of the tiny fuel cell that generates power without consuming
it brings the possibility of replacing batteries for portable equipment
in the near future. The size of the fuel cell allows it to operate even
during movement being controlled by surface tension and not gravity.
More
at:
Membrane electrode assembly
Micro fuel cells
Carbon
catalysts for fuel cells?
A team led by Liming
Dal, University of Dayton,
Ohio reveals that they might have solved the issue of iron hindering the
catalysis and possibility of an alternative to platinum. The doping of
nitrogen acting on a
bundle of carbon nanotubes acting as a catalyst inducing oxygen
reaction inside the fuel cell opens up a cheaper alternative
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Fuel cells are already getting recognized as an alternative to the
internal combustion engines though the general commercial application
could be as late as 2010 and to reach a level the IC engines enjoy as of
date somewhere around 2020. The technology meets the requirements of a
pollution-free, environmental-free alternative to generate power.
Fuel cells operate like batteries. There are no moving parts or noise
pollution. Fuel cells do not emit particulate matter and are the
cleanest and at present provide the best technology to produce
electricity.
Fuel cells do not require recharges like batteries as long as there is a
constant supply of fuel.
Fuel cell technology has come a long way since they supplied power to
NASA space programs in the 1960s. The technology has been evolving
rapidly over the years. It has now become a distinct possibility that
fuel cells could well become affordable to power individual homes and
present applications as well in the near future.
Where does platinum fit in?
Fuel cells produce electricity by combining hydrogen (fuel) and oxygen
over a catalyst. And platinum fits in ideally as the catalyst. The
consumption of platinum for automobile is undergoing rapid changes with
advances continuously being evolved.
The level of platinum per unit is already being pegged at 40 grams per
unit from the current level of 100 grams. When it is possible to come
out with mass production this could be further lowered to a level of 20
grams per unit. When an ultimate level at 9 grams per unit is talked
about, it indicates the amount of seriousness with which this issue is
approached and the importance attached to it.
The consumption of platinum in a fuel cell for automotive sector is
continuously researched to lower levels. At the same time the number of
countries that implement stringent emission regulations and the number
of vehicles that come under these regulations is on the increase.
The power requirement per vehicle is between 5.0 kilowatts and 15
kilowatts and fuel cells of 50 to 200 kilowatts are already under
commercial production. It is expected that small portable units under 3
kilowatts capacity could be in the market by 2005 which could trigger a
rise in consumption in portable appliances. The stationary and back up
as well as primary power sourcing from fuel cells is expected to play a
very major role even before the projected automobile market picking up
around a projected 2010.
TARGETS-LOOKING AHEAD
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Period
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Fuel Cell
(Cost per Kw USD)
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Diesel Generators
(Cost per Kw USD)
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Current Level
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4500 |
800 to 1500 |
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Could stabilize at
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1200 |
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Ultimate target
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400 |
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Compared to conventional batteries, the refueling is quicker in case of
fuel cells and the time between refueling is also longer. Fuel
cell-powered vehicles are also expected to provide fuel efficiency as
well as miles per gallon almost twice as at present. Major automotive
manufacturers are aiming at keeping the cost of the fuel cell powered
engine of the future pegged at the same cost of internal combustion
engines.
TYPES OF FUEL CELLS
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Parameter |
Alkaline Fuel cell |
Phosphoric acid Fuel cell |
Molten Carbonate Fuel cell |
Solid oxide Fuel Cell |
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel cell
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Process |
Requires pure hydrogen and oxygen |
Complex system design |
Uses fuel directly without a fuel processor |
Uses relatively impure fuel |
Uses solid polymer membrane as an electrolyte
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Operating temperature |
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2000C |
6500C |
400 to 10000C |
1000C
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Application suitability |
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Stationary power applications with existing installations |
More complex than phosphoric acid fuel cells due to the use of
higher temperature and use of molten electrolytes
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Suitable for large to very large stationary power applications |
Ideally suited for transport and small transport applications |
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Where used |
NASA
Apollo space programs |
JAPAN, USE AND EUROPE mid to large scale stationary power and
general applications |
US, JAPAN for constant power in large utility applications
(1.8 mw proto type tested)
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NASA
Gemini space program |
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Technology |
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Demo stage. very early stages of development |
Compact and produce electricity to the size 1 to 250 kw
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When introduced |
1960s |
1970s |
2002/03 |
Demo/evaluation stage |
Commercially available
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FUEL FOR FUEL CELLS
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Hydrogen |
Expected to be near time and long time fuel of choice. Storage
and transportation requirements already in place
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Hydro-carbon based fuels |
Fuel reformer is required to extract hydrogen
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Alternatives |
Multiple feeds in the intermediate stage
hydrogen/methanol*/clean petroleum derivatives/natural gas
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*Direct methanol fuel cell technology permits use of methanol as fuel
without requiring fuel processing.
Major automobile manufacturers like Ford, GM, DaimlerChrysler, Toyota,
Honda, Volkswagen and others are moving towards mass production of
vehicles powered by fuel cells and though a time frame of 2010 is
mentioned for everyday commercial availability for automobiles it could
be well achieved much earlier. Test runs are already on and the
milestones released through press confirm this possibility.
Fuel cells could be the power source of the 21st century and the
problems of storing
and transporting hydrogen are addressed seriously. The
technology is given its due importance that already some waste water
treatment plants are using fuel cells to convert the methane gas they
produce into electricity.
Some applications
where fuel cell can be used in the near future:
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Personal |
Transport |
Public installations |
Power back-ups and substitutes
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Power back-up Portable applications Consumer electronics
Personal computers
Utilities like lawn mowers etc
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Battery substitution applications Personal vehicle engine
substitutions |
Public utilities like traffic signals etc |
Power applications with existing installations |
INITIATIVES
Unites States Department of Energy has initiated measures for the
reduction of greenhouse gas and encourages the manufacturers with
incentives and guidance.
An alliance for solid state energy conservation has also been formed.
Other governments around the globe are seized of this vital issue and
have initiated measures for research and encouraging research.
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Country
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Agency |
Remarks |
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United States |
Unites States
Council for Automobile Research together with Ford, GM, DaimlerChrysler)
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Fund assistance for research and development |
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Canada |
National Fuel Research Facility
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Fund assistance for research and development
Funding Ballard Power Systems
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Germany, Italy |
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Fund assistance for research and development
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Japan |
Toyota, Suzuki, Sanyo |
Research and development
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Singapore |
Hydrogen refueling systems
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Korea |
Korean Government and Hyundai |
Procuring fuel cell stacks from Ballard systems for evaluation
and development
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China |
Research |
More than 20 units specially reserved
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United Kingdom |
Direct support for renewable energy technology (including fuel
cells) |
Target of reaching 10% from renewable technology from the
existing 5%
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Iceland |
Icelandic New Energy Ltd |
Aims to create world's first hydrogen economy
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DEVELOPMENTS
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2003
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2004
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2005
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2006
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2007
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Vehicles
30 fuel cell buses on test run in European cities |
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Planned for general public on a limited scale |
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BCC report foresees
1,000,000 vehicles in US using fuel cell |
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DaimlerChrysler plans 60
vehicles for test run powered by fuel cells |
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DuPont Fuel Cells and
DuPont Taiwan Ltd plan release of electric scooters in Taiwan |
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Honda FCX obtains EPA's
first certificate for fuel cell vehicle |
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Nippon Fuel cell for residential use |
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3M offers components for
all PEM fuel cell applications commercially |
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Avisto Labs' PEM fuel
cells supplying stationary fuel cells for emergency back up
power.
Installed 60 units in US, South America, Italy |
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Ballard Systems offer fuel
cells commercially for intermittent use in stationary products |
Ballard Systems fuel cell engines for continuous use stationary
products |
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Automotive fuel cell engines
(2000 vehicles with battery electric drive) |
Further progress to automotive fuel cell engines |
Stabilizing automotive fuel cell engines |
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OUTLOOK:
Research and development throughout the world for an effective alternate
to the fossil fuel energy has continuously persisted and fuel cell
technology is here to stay. The forecast of 2010 may well be advanced on
account of serious applications from the governments, agencies and
manufacturers. The deterrent cost per unit of fuel cell generated energy
no longer raises question marks and the gap is already getting
continuously reduced. The advantages the fuel cell technology offers
particularly mobility, as well as a clean technology outweighs many
other considerations. Already prototype cars and buses are released;
power sources commercially produced and installed in various locations
and when such portable energy is available for personal articles and
domestic power, the future for fuel cells are very bright.
Platinum consumption would also be on the increase concurrent with the
developing technology. The declining per unit consumption in automobiles
may not make such an impact on the overall demand since the number of
vehicles is continuously increasing and fuel cells are finding more and
more applications. Successful mass production of one kilowatt fuel cell
for domestic use projected for 2004 would make a market impact.
More:
A
comprehensive list of links to Associations, Agencies and Organizations
promoting the research and development of fuel cells.
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