Harnessing Hydrogen for Power:

Hydrogen Cars

Harnessing Hydrogen for Power:

Hydrogen Cars

Marisa KatzHannah Lobingier

Marisa KatzHannah Lobingier

What exactly is a Hydrogen Car

What exactly is a Hydrogen Car

In a hydrogen car, its primary source of power is from breaking down hydrogenThe use of hydrogen usually happens by two

methodsHydrogen can be burned much like the combustion

reaction that takes place in the gas powered cars seen today. This is called a internal hydrogen combustion engine

ORHydrogen can be set up to react with oxygen to

produce water and electricity. This is called a fuel cell.

In a hydrogen car, its primary source of power is from breaking down hydrogenThe use of hydrogen usually happens by two

methodsHydrogen can be burned much like the combustion

reaction that takes place in the gas powered cars seen today. This is called a internal hydrogen combustion engine

ORHydrogen can be set up to react with oxygen to

produce water and electricity. This is called a fuel cell.

Hydrogen Cars and Fuel Cells

Hydrogen Cars and Fuel Cells

Major car companies today are focusing on using fuel cells, instead of hydrogen internal combustion engines because it is thought that fuel cells will be more efficient and produce power in even cleaner ways. Instead of burning fuel in an engine, fuel cells are electrochemical energy conversion devices. Fuel cells convert hydrogen and oxygen into water, and along the way produces electricity.

Major car companies today are focusing on using fuel cells, instead of hydrogen internal combustion engines because it is thought that fuel cells will be more efficient and produce power in even cleaner ways. Instead of burning fuel in an engine, fuel cells are electrochemical energy conversion devices. Fuel cells convert hydrogen and oxygen into water, and along the way produces electricity.

Ways of Getting Hydrogen Ways of Getting Hydrogen Water is covalently bonded so energy is necessary to break

this molecule apart into hydrogen and oxygen Electrolysis (separating water by using electric currents)H2O + electricity → H2 + O2

ex.) battery, electrical outlet with a source of fossil fuels or renewable energy

Thermolysis (heat used to break up a substance)H2O + heat → H2 + O2

ex.) solar panelsOther molecules with hydrogen can be broken up into their

components with added energy Biological sourcesAlgae deprived of sulfur will produce hydrogen in a bioreactor HydrocarbonsHydrogen comes from crude oil

Water is covalently bonded so energy is necessary to break this molecule apart into hydrogen and oxygen

Electrolysis (separating water by using electric currents)H2O + electricity → H2 + O2

ex.) battery, electrical outlet with a source of fossil fuels or renewable energy

Thermolysis (heat used to break up a substance)H2O + heat → H2 + O2

ex.) solar panelsOther molecules with hydrogen can be broken up into their

components with added energy Biological sourcesAlgae deprived of sulfur will produce hydrogen in a bioreactor HydrocarbonsHydrogen comes from crude oil

Fuel Cells: A Brief HistoryFuel Cells: A Brief History

In 1839 Sir William Grove invented the first fuel cell called a gas voltaic battery

50 years later Ludwig Mond and Charles Langer coined the term “fuel cell”

In 1839 Sir William Grove invented the first fuel cell called a gas voltaic battery

50 years later Ludwig Mond and Charles Langer coined the term “fuel cell”

Picture of Modern Day Fuel Cell

How Fuel Cells WorkHow Fuel Cells Work

Fuel Cells are like batteriesThe type of fuel cell highlighted today

uses a constant flow of hydrogen to produce energyA reaction takes place between the

hydrogen and oxygen that converts the energy released into useable electrical energy

The most common fuel cell is one that runs off of proton exchangeThis exchange takes place in the Proton

Exchange Membrane, or PEM

Fuel Cells are like batteriesThe type of fuel cell highlighted today

uses a constant flow of hydrogen to produce energyA reaction takes place between the

hydrogen and oxygen that converts the energy released into useable electrical energy

The most common fuel cell is one that runs off of proton exchangeThis exchange takes place in the Proton

Exchange Membrane, or PEM

The Functions of Fuel CellsThe Functions of Fuel Cells

http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/edu_k-12/teachers/fuelcells.html#dl

How Energy is MadeHow Energy is Made

1. Hydrogen gas is pumped to the anode

2.The platinum anode acts as a catalyst to a reaction that ionizes the gas The ionization reaction breaks

hydrogen atoms into hydrogen protons(+) and electrons(-)

3.Ions are attracted to the cathode but have two ways of getting to it

4.Protons pass through the membrane

1. Hydrogen gas is pumped to the anode

2.The platinum anode acts as a catalyst to a reaction that ionizes the gas The ionization reaction breaks

hydrogen atoms into hydrogen protons(+) and electrons(-)

3.Ions are attracted to the cathode but have two ways of getting to it

4.Protons pass through the membrane

5.Electrons are forced around the membrane thus releasing energy

Hydrogen to WaterHydrogen to Water

In the cathode O2 is ionized to O2-.In the anode H2 is ionized to 2H+ 2H+ + O2- = H2OWhen these elements combine

energy is given off in electron form and gives off power to run an engine and water is also produced

In the cathode O2 is ionized to O2-.In the anode H2 is ionized to 2H+ 2H+ + O2- = H2OWhen these elements combine

energy is given off in electron form and gives off power to run an engine and water is also produced

Fuel Cell: Energy and Clean Bi-Products

Fuel Cell: Energy and Clean Bi-Products

On the cathode side of the cell, oxygen is being fed where it is then converted to oxygen ions

When the hydrogen protons and electrons reach the cathode, new products are formed due to the bonding of the ions.The “waste products” are water and heat

On the cathode side of the cell, oxygen is being fed where it is then converted to oxygen ions

When the hydrogen protons and electrons reach the cathode, new products are formed due to the bonding of the ions.The “waste products” are water and heat

AdvantagesAdvantages

Zero emissions (pure water is produced)No dependence on foreign oilAbility to harvest solar and renewable

energyNot many moving parts in a vehicle (more

mileage before things start breaking) Hydrogen weighs less than gasoline

(vehicles would not need as much energy to move)

Zero emissions (pure water is produced)No dependence on foreign oilAbility to harvest solar and renewable

energyNot many moving parts in a vehicle (more

mileage before things start breaking) Hydrogen weighs less than gasoline

(vehicles would not need as much energy to move)

Price Tag: Drawbacks to Hydrogen Car

Price Tag: Drawbacks to Hydrogen Car

Hydrogen Supply At this time there are very few stations that supply

hydrogen cylinders to power a car Also, the price for hydrogen is comparable to gas;

however it takes two or three times as much to power a car.

As of now it is very expensive to equip a car with a hydrogen fuel cell.

Hydrogen is expensive to make, store, and transport

As of now, in a fuel cell the center is a platinum plate which is very expensive

Hydrogen Supply At this time there are very few stations that supply

hydrogen cylinders to power a car Also, the price for hydrogen is comparable to gas;

however it takes two or three times as much to power a car.

As of now it is very expensive to equip a car with a hydrogen fuel cell.

Hydrogen is expensive to make, store, and transport

As of now, in a fuel cell the center is a platinum plate which is very expensive

Comparable Efficiencies Comparable Efficiencies

Hydrogen Fuel cells at over 50% efficiency

Fossil fuel powered car at 10% - 20% efficiency

Hybrid powered cars have 30% - 35% efficiency

Ethanol is less efficient than fossil fuel- ethanol gets 20% less mpg than

fossil fuels

Hydrogen Fuel cells at over 50% efficiency

Fossil fuel powered car at 10% - 20% efficiency

Hybrid powered cars have 30% - 35% efficiency

Ethanol is less efficient than fossil fuel- ethanol gets 20% less mpg than

fossil fuels

The Hydrogen Car Forefront

The Hydrogen Car Forefront

In 2003, President Bush instated a national program called the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative The goal is to “develop

hydrogen, fuel cell and infrastructure technologies to make fuel-cell vehicles practical and cost-effective by 2020.”

The US has put over 1 billion dollars to date in hydrogen car research

In 2003, President Bush instated a national program called the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative The goal is to “develop

hydrogen, fuel cell and infrastructure technologies to make fuel-cell vehicles practical and cost-effective by 2020.”

The US has put over 1 billion dollars to date in hydrogen car research

Companies Getting Involved

Companies Getting Involved

Ford- P2000

Honda- FCX

BMW (within 2 years)- Hydrogen 7

Mazda- Wankel motor

General Motors- Sequel

Ford- P2000

Honda- FCX

BMW (within 2 years)- Hydrogen 7

Mazda- Wankel motor

General Motors- Sequel

California: Goes GreenCalifornia: Goes Green

California has around 13 pilot stations and plans some 170 commercial ones by 2010. Arnold Swarchenegger has pledged to

turn one of his existing Hummers into a hydrogen powered car

California has around 13 pilot stations and plans some 170 commercial ones by 2010. Arnold Swarchenegger has pledged to

turn one of his existing Hummers into a hydrogen powered car

Thank youThank you

We would like to thank Dr. Skip Rochefort for being so generous with his time. The hydrogen car and fuel cell were both lent to us to better demonstrate the hydrogen car.

We would like to thank Dr. Skip Rochefort for being so generous with his time. The hydrogen car and fuel cell were both lent to us to better demonstrate the hydrogen car.

ResourcesResourceshttp://www.fi.edu/inquirer/hydrocar.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_ve

hicle#Hydrogen_production_costhttp://planetforlife.com/h2/h2vehicle.ht

mlhttp://www.mobilemag.com/content/100

/354/C6941/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4563676/http://www.nrel.gov/hydrogen/

photos.htmlhttp://www.howstuffworks.com/fuel-

cell.htmDr. Skip Rochefort

http://www.fi.edu/inquirer/hydrocar.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_ve

hicle#Hydrogen_production_costhttp://planetforlife.com/h2/h2vehicle.ht

mlhttp://www.mobilemag.com/content/100

/354/C6941/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4563676/http://www.nrel.gov/hydrogen/

photos.htmlhttp://www.howstuffworks.com/fuel-

cell.htmDr. Skip Rochefort