A Study of Energy, Fuel Cells and Energy A Study of Energy, Fuel Cells and Energy EfficiencyEfficiency

RET Corps Member: Dalia ZygasWorkshop Attendee Group Members: Yvette M. Burnett, Lynne El-Amin Waheed, Sueha Kayyal, Waclaw Kondratko, & Billie J. Miller IIT Research Mentor: Dr. Donald J. ChmielewskiThis material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant No. EEC-0502174. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Overview of ModuleOverview of Module

• Topics Covered:

– Balancing Equations

– Calculating Bond Energy

– Enthalpy ΔH

– Efficiency

• Student Involvement:

– 14 – Middle and High School Students

– 100% Participation

Pretest/Posttest Pretest/Posttest ResultsResults

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Qts.1

Qts.2

Qts.3

Qts.4

Qts.8

Qts.10

Qts.11

Pretest

Posttest

Percentage Gain

Design ActivityDesign Activity

• Brief Description: To use a car which is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and measure its efficiency in a manner similar to the Hero’s engine lab

–Defining Need: Measuring efficiency of environmentally friendly engine (fuel-cell)

–Background research: - - -

ENERGY AND FUEL CELLSENERGY AND FUEL CELLS• Energy has been declared as the number one problem that

humanity must face during next 50 years. Hydrogen and fuel cells have been getting a lot of attention because they directly and efficiently convert chemical energy to electrical energy. Fuel cells based on hydrogen are environmentally friendly since water is the only byproduct. Fuel cells based on hydrogen as a fuel do not produce greenhouse gases such as CO2 and providing an environmentally benign power. If hydrogen should be used in future, the important issue is its inexpensive production and storage.

Design ResearchDesign Research

Mean Global Energy Consumption, 1998Mean Global Energy Consumption, 19984.52

2.72.96

0.286

1.21

0.2860.828

0

1

2

3

4

5

TW

Oil Coal Biomass NuclearGas Hydro Renew

Total: 12.8 TW U.S.: 3.3 TW (99 Quads)

Design ResearchDesign Research

(in the U.S. in 2002)

1-4 ¢ 2.3-5.0 ¢ 6-8 ¢ 5-7 ¢

Today: Production Cost of ElectricityToday: Production Cost of Electricity

0

5

10

15

20

25

Coal Gas Oil Wind Nuclear Solar

Cost

6-7 ¢

25-50 ¢

Cos

t , ¢

/kW

-hr

POTENTIAL OF RENEWABLE POTENTIAL OF RENEWABLE ENERGYENERGY

Hydroelectric Geothermal Ocean/Tides Wind Biomass Solar

DESIGN RESEARCHDESIGN RESEARCH

Design Research: Design Research: Why Hydrogen ?Why Hydrogen ?

• 2H2 + O2 = 2H2O -242 kJ mol-1

– Oxidation does not produce greenhouse gases

– Use in fuel cells is highly efficient– The gasoline internal combustion engine

could be replaced by hydrogen fuel cells in cars

• Can store excess energy produced by other means

• Unlimited supply, in principle, from renewable energy sources

• Key component of the post-petroleum world

WHY HYDROGEN WHY HYDROGEN AND FUEL CELLSAND FUEL CELLS• Fuel cells directly and

efficiently convert chemical energy to electrical energy.

• Fuel cells offering significant environmental benefits and high electrical efficiency.

• With their promise of environmentally benign power, fuel cells are widely promoted as the electricity generators of the future.

PROBLEMS WITH PROBLEMS WITH HYDROGENHYDROGEN

Expensive-more energy is used to generate hydrogen than is released when it is consumedStorage: 4.4 MJ/L (680 atm) 9.72 MJ/LFuel cells: $3,000/kW $35/kW (gasoline engine)Energy density (H2(l), 8.4 MJ/L) Energy density (gasoline, 31.6 MJ/L)Research is needed on hydrogen uptake and release in complex hydrides

Fuel PEFC

Fuel (NaBH4)

Spent fuel

Fuel CellVehicle

Fuel

Spent fuelrecovery

(NaBO2)

Service Station

Borohydride Production

(Mg)

H2

(MgO)

Fuel PEFC

Fuel (NaBH4)

Spent fuel

Fuel CellVehicle

Fuel

Spent fuelrecovery

(NaBO2)

Service Station

Borohydride Production

(Mg)

H2

(MgO)

NaAlH4 X-ray view NaAlD4 neutron viewNaAlH4 X-ray view NaAlD4 neutron view

Professor Michael Trenary, Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, ppp 7/6/2006. Source: BES Hydrogen Workshop Report

Theory and ModelingTo Understand Mechanisms, Predict Property Trends, Guide Discovery of New Materials

Novel and Nanoscale Materials

Priority Research Areas in Hydrogen Priority Research Areas in Hydrogen StorageStorage

NaAlH4 X-ray view NaAlD4 neutron viewNaAlH4 X-ray view NaAlD4 neutron view

H D C O Al Si Fe

X ray cross section

Neutron cross section

H D C O Al Si Fe

X ray cross section

Neutron cross section

Fuel PEFC

Fuel (NaBH4)

Spent fuel

Fuel CellVehicle

Fuel

Spent fuelrecovery

(NaBO2)

Service Station

Borohydride Production

(Mg)

H2

(MgO)

Fuel PEFC

Fuel (NaBH4)

Spent fuel

Fuel CellVehicle

Fuel

Spent fuelrecovery

(NaBO2)

Service Station

Borohydride Production

(Mg)

H2

(MgO)

H Adsorption in nanotube array

Neutron imaging of hydrogen

Cup-stacked carbon nNanofiber

Complex metal hydrides can be recharged on board the vehicles

Chemical hydrides will need off-board regeneration

Nanoporous inorganic-organic compounds

Li, Nature 1999

Professor Michael Trenary, Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, ppp 7/6/2006. Source: BES Hydrogen Workshop Report

Gravimetric Energy Density (MJ/kg)

Vo

lum

etri

c E

ner

gy

De

ns

ity

(M

J /

L)

0

10

20

30

0 10 20 30 40

Proposed DOE goal

Gasoline

Liquid H2

Chemicalhydrides

Complex hydrides

Compressedgas H2

Ideal Solid State Storage Material for Hydrogen

High gravimetric and volumetric density(10wt%)Fast kineticsFavorable thermodynamicsReversible and recyclableMaterial integrityMinimal lattice expansionAbsence of embrittlementSafeCost effective

Energy Density of FuelsEnergy Density of Fuels

Design Research: ConclusionDesign Research: Conclusion• Cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells can greatly

reduce our dependence on oil, if the hydrogen is generated renewably.

• Basic research is needed to achieve a hydrogen economy.

• Energy R&D is poised for rapid growth in the coming years.

• Solving the worlds energy needs in a sustainable way is one of the greatest challenges of this century

• Scientists/Engineers will be the heroes of this struggle

Design ActivityDesign Activity

• Design Criteria: – The ability to measure H2

– Energy Efficiency

– Reduce CO2 emissions

• Test & Redesign: Modifications to:– Track – Barriers, Surface and Location, Placement of

Clips, Increased Mass, – Inquiry, trial and error

• Materials Modifications: Need for a different car• Results:

InquiryInquiry• Inquiry One:

– Brief Description: Students were supplied with efficiency and work formulas, conversion factors, constants, tables, supplies/materials, lab procedure and examples on how to compute data

– Lessons Learned• Process of collecting data and calculating efficiency and work formulas• Joules, Work, Efficiency, Mass, etc.

• Inquiry Two:– Brief Description: Using various chemical symbols and manipulative

drawings to develop skills needed to balance combustion reactions.• Students were given problem• Instructors coached – guided each group as they developed skills need to

find the solution– Lessons Learned:

• Students learned the basic rules of balancing equations • Based on test data, 30% of students gained knowledge need to balance

combustion equations

EthicsEthics

• Brief Description: Original module would help students redesign and item within their community to make it more environmentally efficient, cost effective, able to use renewable resources and reduce CO2 emission.

• Lessons Learned: Based on informal observations - students learned– H2 powered vehicle is not cost effective

– Public demand should pressure engineers to design a more efficient and cost effective H2 powered vehicle

ModificationsModifications• Elementary (K-3) – Babies Driving Cars

– How things work– What makes things go – hydrogen, diesel, and octane– Designing cars of the future

• Late Elementary (4-5) - Di-atomic molecules– Use Bingo to introduce atomic symbols– Use everyday items to describe physical characteristics some of di-atomic molecules– Use construction paper and coffee stirs to build molecular models– Fuel car activity used to demonstrate use of gas to power a car

• Middle (5-8) – Will The Force Be With You– Designing a method to measure the force between different magnets– Examining Various Magnets– Ethics of having magnetic devices

• High School (9-12) – Food Power– Use fuel cell car to introduce concept of efficiency– Balance photosynthesis and cellular respiration equations– Use meal planner to examine efficiency of meal choices (including obesity, sluggishness,

serum glucose level, etc.)– Create and support fast-food options for: athletes, infants, expecting mother, construction

worker, senior citizen