{ Hydrogen Power and Fuel-cells Pete Strader & Tim Weber

Introduction  Hydrogen  Gas Fuel  Production  Fuel Cells  Pros & Cons

{  Chemical Element  Atomic number 1  Most common element in the universe  Nontoxic but combustible  Ionic: positive H2}H2} Hydrogen

 The Basics

Gas Fuel  Burns clean into water  Used primarily as rocket propellant  Fuel cell vehicles  Gas requires energy to be produced

 Hydrogen is found in compounds, mainly the hydro- compounds that make up our fuels: gasoline methanol, propane  Through a process of reforming, hydrogen can be separated from hydro-compounds  Hydrogen is made this way from natural gas  Electrolysis- process of passing a direct current of electricity of sufficient voltage through water to decompose it into H2 and O2  This process takes place in a electrolytic cell, electrical energy is converted to chemical energy. Just the opposite of a galvanic cell (normal battery) Hydrogen Production & Power

Production of Gas  Electrolysis:  Separation of water molecule into 0xygen and hydrogen.  Manipulation of atomic charges via electricity through water base solution

Production of Gas  Steam Reforming:  The manipulation of heat of other fuels to breakdown hydrocarbon bonds to release gas.  Most hydrogen is produced in this manor  Algae and Bacteria:  Select types of microorganisms use sunlight to break down water into hydrogen.

Fuel Cells “A fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, heat, and water. Fuel cells are often compared to batteries. Both convert the energy produced by a chemical reaction into usable electric power. However, the fuel cell will produce electricity as long as fuel (hydrogen) is supplied, never losing its charge.” - (RE/W)

 A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that produces electricity by converting the chemical energy of a fuel directly into electricity without burning the fuel  William Grove, an English physicist, invented fuel cells in  Fuel cells came into public eye in the 1980’s when the U.S. Space Shuttles carried three sets of 32 cells fueled with hydrogen  Electricity by these cells powered lights, monitors, and computers  Fuel cells operate on an external supply of fuel that is electrochemically oxidized inside the fuel cell Galvanic/Fuel Cells: The Basics

{ “Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) have the potential to significantly reduce our dependence on foreign oil and lower harmful emissions that contribute to climate change” – (FE.Gov) Fuel Cell

 These fuel cells also require external supply of gas to accept electrons that are lost by fuel  With the supply of fuel and oxidant continually being replenished, “flow batteries” produce electricity and never have to be recharged  Galvanic cell (battery) is a type of electrochemical that converts energy released in a spontaneous chemical reaction into electrical energy  Galvanic cells transfer of electrons from one substance to another, and is split into 2 parts: Oxidation and reduction  Galvanic cells: Oxidation-species loses electrons. Reduction-gain electrons  Chemicals being oxidized and reduced are physically separated  Galvanic Cells: Oxidation occurs at the anode, and reduction in the cathode. Fuel Cells: The Basics

Hydrogen to electric power

Pros and Cons  Water is the byproduct  Eliminates automotive pollution  Eliminate fuel dependence  Abundant fuel.  Low energy density by volume  Temperamental handling  Energy needed to create the gas

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Questions?

 (FE.Gov):  (RE/W): n n n  (FE.Gov):  electrolysis.html electrolysis.html electrolysis.html  news.info/technology/hydrogen-fuel/ news.info/technology/hydrogen-fuel/ news.info/technology/hydrogen-fuel/Scources