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
Period
|
Fuel Cell
(Cost per Kw USD)
|
Diesel Generators
(Cost per Kw USD)
|
Current Level
|
4500 |
800 to 1500 |
Could stabilize at
|
1200 |
|
Ultimate target
|
400 |
|
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:
|
Parameter |
Alkaline Fuel cell |
Phosphoric acid Fuel cell |
Molten Carbonate Fuel cell |
Solid oxide Fuel Cell |
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel cell |
|
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 |
|
Operating temperature |
|
2000C |
6500C |
400 to 10000C |
1000C |
|
Application suitability |
|
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 |
Suitable for large to very large stationary
power applications |
Ideally suited for transport and small transport
applications |
|
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) |
|
NASA
Gemini space program |
|
Technology |
|
|
|
Demo stage. very early stages of development |
Compact and produce electricity to the size 1 to
250 kw |
|
When introduced |
1960s |
1970s |
2002/03 |
Demo/evaluation stage |
Commercially available |
Fuel for fuel cells
|
Hydrogen |
Expected to be near time and long time fuel of
choice. Storage and transportation requirements
already in place |
|
Hydro-carbon based fuels |
Fuel reformer is required to extract hydrogen |
|
Alternatives |
Multiple feeds in the intermediate stage
hydrogen/methanol*/clean petroleum
derivatives/natural gas |
*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:
|
Personal |
Transport |
Public installations |
Power back-ups and substitutes |
Power back-up Portable applications Consumer
electronics Personal computers
Utilities like lawn mowers etc
|
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.
Country
|
Agency |
Remarks |
|
United States |
Unites States Council for
Automobile Research
(together with Ford,
GM,
DaimlerChrysler) |
Fund assistance for research and development |
|
Canada |
National Fuel Research Facility
|
Fund assistance for research and development
Funding Ballard Power Systems |
|
Germany, Italy |
|
Fund assistance for research and development |
|
Japan |
Toyota, Suzuki, Sanyo |
Research and development |
|
Singapore |
Hydrogen refueling systems |
|
|
Korea |
Korean Government and Hyundai |
Procuring fuel cell stacks from Ballard systems
for evaluation and development |
|
China |
Research |
More than 20 units specially reserved |
|
United Kingdom |
Direct support for renewable energy technology
(including fuel cells) |
Target of reaching 10% from renewable technology
from the existing 5% |
|
Iceland |
Icelandic New Energy Ltd |
Aims to create world's first hydrogen economy |
Developments
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
2007
|
Vehicles
30 fuel cell buses on test run in European
cities |
|
Planned for general public on a limited scale |
|
BCC report
foresees 1,000,000 vehicles in US using fuel
cell |
|
DaimlerChrysler
plans 60 vehicles for
test run powered by fuel cells |
|
DuPont Fuel Cells
and DuPont Taiwan Ltd plan release of electric
scooters in Taiwan |
|
|
|
Honda FCX obtains
EPA's first certificate
for fuel cell vehicle |
|
Nippon Fuel cell for residential use |
|
|
|
3M
offers components for all PEM fuel cell
applications commercially |
|
|
|
|
Avisto Labs'
PEM fuel cells supplying
stationary fuel cells for emergency back up
power.
Installed 60 units in US, South America, Italy |
|
|
|
|
|
Ballard Systems
offer fuel cells
commercially for intermittent use in stationary
products |
Ballard Systems fuel cell engines for continuous
use stationary products |
|
|
|
Automotive fuel cell engines
(2000 vehicles with battery electric drive) |
Further progress to automotive fuel cell engines |
Stabilizing automotive fuel cell engines |
|
|
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.
Also
on focus coverage
 |
