Hydrogen Fuel Cell as an Alternative Energy

PanchalGirishkumar R.*§, GujarathiAkshay J.

§,

AdhiyaJigar D.§,Iyer Surya

§

*Corresponding Author, Email Id: girishkumar.rp@somaiya.edu

§Mechanical Engineering Department, K. J. Somaiya College of Engineering, Vidyavihar, Mumbai-400 077

Abstract:This paper describes about the technique of hydrogen fuel

cells adopted in automobiles and storage technologies for hydrogen

and thus stepping to the way of green technology with economic

power generation. The purpose of this paper is to widespread the

knowledge of hydrogen fuel cells which is taking its new place in

the field of automobile engineering as a green fuel and storage

techniques which is major limiting factor. Many research works are

carried under this subject in India.

Keywords: Hydrogen fuel cells, green fuel, green technology,

alternative energy source.

Introduction:Both from the point of view of global warming

and from that of inevitable exhaustion of earth‟s oil reserves;

it has become highly desirable to develop an alternative source for fuels. Since the development of hydrogen fuel cells which

is fuelled by hydrogen and oxygen produces only water,

hydrogen has generally seemed to be most promising approach. However, although the development of hydrogen

fuel cell technology appears to be progressing smoothly

towards eventual commercial exploitation, a viable method of

storing hydrogen on board a vehicle is still to be established. [13]

Fig No.1 Fuel cell

Research methodology: The research methodology requires

gathering relevant data from the specifieddocuments and

compiling information in order to analyze the matter. I hope

to shed the light on the following questions through my

research: how are automobiles operated with hydrogen fuel

cells? What actually takes place in the working of fuel cell?

What are the specifications of hydrogen fuel cell? How it is

better than gasoline and electrically operated vehicles? How

to store hydrogen under specific conditions?

Origins: The concept of a fuel cell had effectively been

demonstrated in the early nineteenth century by Humphry

Davy. This was followed by pioneering work on what were to

become fuel cells by the scientist Christian Friedrich

Schönbein in 1838. William Grove, a chemist, physicist and

lawyer, is generally credited with inventing the fuel cell in

1839. Grove conducted a series of experiments with what he

termed a gas voltaic battery, which ultimately proved that

electric current could be produced from an electrochemical

reaction between hydrogen and oxygen over a platinum

catalyst. The term fuel cell was first used in 1889 by Charles

Langer and Ludwig Mond, who researched fuel cells using

coal gas as a fuel. Further attempts to convert coal directly

into electricity were made in the early twentieth century but

the technology generally remained obscure.

In 1932, Cambridge engineering professor Francis Bacon

modified Mond's and Langer's equipment to develop the first

AFC but it was not until 1959 that Bacon demonstrated a

practical 5 kW fuel cell system. At around the same time,

Harry Karl Ihrig fitted a modified 15 kW Bacon cell to an Allis-Chalmers agricultural tractor. Allis-Chalmers, in

partnership with the US Air Force, subsequently developed a

number of fuel cell powered vehicles including a forklift

truck, a golf cart and a submersible vessel.[9]

Fig No.2Hierarchical development of hydrogen fuel cell

Source: [9]

How to use hydrogen to fuel a car?

Fig No.3Actual Layout Of Hydrogen Car Source: [5]

Hydrogen gas from the hydrogen storage

tank is supplied to the fuel cell and from the

other side atmospheric air is also supplied

in it by using turbo compressor.[5]

Reaction of oxygen from the air and hydrogen

takes place in fuel cell which results in the

generation of electricity that is sent to the traction

inverter module. [5]

The traction inverter module plays an important role

of converting the electricity and using it for driving

the electric motor which ultimately imparts rotary

motion to the wheel. [5]

Efforts related to use of hydrogen as fuel have been

mainly focussed on development of internal

combustion engines by modifying petrol, diesel and

gaseous engines to operate with hydrogen.[14]

The M&M in association with the IIT, Delhi has

developed 15 three wheelers under a project named

„DELHY-3W‟ which was supported by the United

Nations Industrial Development Organisation

(UNIDO) through the International Centre for

Hydrogen Energy Technologies (ICHET), Istanbul,

Turkey (Fig. 4). This project was supported in

March, 2009 with IIT Delhi; M&M; Air Products /

INOX Air Products; and India Trade Promotion

Organisation (ITPO) as project partners. [10,14]

What actually takes place in fuel cell?

Pressurized hydrogen gas (H2) enters cell on

anode side. Gas is forced through catalyst by

pressure.[7]

When H2 molecule comes contacts platinum

catalyst, it splits into two H+ ions and two

electrons (e-).[7]

Electrons are conducted through the anode which

makes their way through the external circuit (doing

useful work such as turning a motor) and return to

the cathode side of the fuel cell. On the cathode

side, oxygen gas (O2) is forced through the catalyst

forms two oxygen atoms, each with a strong

negative charge. [7]

Negative charge attracts the two H+ ions through the

membrane, combine with an oxygen atom and two

electrons from the external circuit to form a water

molecule (H2O). [7]

Fig No.4Working Of Fuel Cell

Source: [7]

Anode reaction: H2 = 2H+ + 2e

-

Cathode reaction: O2 + 2H+ = 2H2O

Heat and electrical energy is formed after the fusion of

electrons. Therefore, electrical energy is used to drive the

vehicle and we get water (H2O) as our exhaust. The heat

energy converts water into water vapor and thus our

exhaust from the vehicle is in the form of water vapor

which ultimately has no effect to the environment. Thus, no pollution is created using this technology.

Parts of fuel cell: 1) Anode

• Negative post of the fuel cell. • Conducts the electrons that are freed from

the hydrogen molecules so that they can be

used in an external circuit. • Etched channels disperse hydrogen gas over

the surface of catalyst. 2) Cathode

• Positive post of the fuel cell • Etched channels distribute oxygen to the

surface of the catalyst. • Conducts electrons back from the external

circuit to the catalyst • Recombine with the hydrogen ions and

oxygen to form water. 3) Electrolyte

• Proton exchange membrane. • Specially treated material, only conducts

positively charged ions. • Membrane blocks electrons.

4) Catalyst • Special material that facilitates reaction of

oxygen and hydrogen • Usually platinum powder very thinly coated

onto carbon paper or cloth. • Rough & porous maximizes surface area

exposed to hydrogen or oxygen • The platinum-coated side of the catalyst

faces the PEM.

Types of fuel cells: Alkaline fuel cell (AFC)

This is one of the oldest designs. It has been used in the U.S.

space program since the 1960s. The AFC is very susceptible

to contamination, so it requires pure hydrogen and oxygen. It

is also very expensive, so this type of fuel cell is unlikely to

be commercialized.

Phosphoric-acid fuel cell (PAFC) The phosphoric-acid fuel cell has potential for use in small

stationary power-generation systems. It operates at a higher

temperature than PEM fuel cells, so it has a longer warm-up

time. This makes it unsuitable for use in cars.

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) These fuel cells are best suited for large-scale stationary power

generators that could provide electricity for factories or towns.

This type of fuel cell operates at very high temperatures

(around 1,832 F, 1,000 C). This high temperature makes

reliability a problem, but it also has an advantage: The steam

produced by the fuel cell can be channeled into turbines to

generate more electricity. This improves the overall efficiency

of the system.

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) In the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell, also

known as a proton-exchange membrane cell, a catalyst in the

anode separates hydrogen atoms into protons and electrons.

The membrane in the center transports the protons to the

cathode, leaving the electrons behind. The electrons flow

through a circuit to the cathode, forming an electric current to

do useful work. In the cathode, another catalyst helps the

electrons, hydrogen nuclei and oxygen from the air

recombine. When the input is pure hydrogen, the exhaust

consists of water vapor. In fuel cells using hydrocarbon fuels

the exhaust is water and carbon dioxide.[2]

Fig No. 5PEM Cell

Source: [12]

Auto Power Efficiency Comparison:

Fig No.6Efficiency vs. Range

Source: [7] Comparison based on Calorific Value: For hydrogen:

Higher calorific value: 141,790 kJ/kg Lower calorific value: 121,000 kJ/kg

For petrol:

Calorific value: 48,000 kJ/kg Heat generated from the hydrogen is more than that of

petrol or other gasoline fuels as the calorific value of

hydrogen is more. Thus, the power developed is more

in vehicles running on hydrogen fuel cells.[4]

Hydrogen Storage Technologies

In the development of fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen storage is

“the biggest remaining research problem” according to the

January 2003 Office of Technology Policy report, Fuel Cell

Vehicles: z to a New Automotive Future. Current hydrogen

storage systems are inadequate to meet the needs of consumers in a fuel cell vehicle. The OTP report continues, “Hydrogen‟ s

low energy-density makes it difficult to store enough on board

a vehicle to achieve sufficient vehicle range without the

storage container being too large or too heavy.”

Existing and proposed technologies for hydrogen storage

include: a) Physical storage: pressurized tanks for gaseous

hydrogen and pressurized cryo-tanks for liquid

hydrogen; b) Reversible hydrogen uptake in various metal-based

compounds including hydrides, nitrides, and imides;

chemical storage in irreversible hydrogen carriers

such as methanol; c) Cryo-adsorption with activated carbon as the

most common adsorbent; and Advanced carbon materials absorption, including carbon nano

tubes, alkali-doped carbon nano tubes and graphite nano fibers.[3]

Fig No.7Storage Tank

Hydrogen has a reputation for being explosive and

therefore raises concerns about the safety of carrying a

substantial quantity of H2 in a vehicle fuel tank. However,

because H2 is the lightest gas, it has a tendency to diffuse

away quickly in case its container is breached and

consequently may represent less of a hazard than gasoline.

The simplest way to carry hydrogen fuel in a car or other

vehicle is as a high-pressure gas 3-10 kpsi (21-69 MPa) in

metal or composite-reinforced (fiberglass, carbon fiber,

Kevlar) tanks. This is similar to the way compressed natural

gas (CNG) vehicles operate. The authors conclude that “hydrogen is no more or less

dangerous than any other energy carrier and furthermore

that hydrogen has properties that in certain areas make it

safer than other energy carriers: it is not poisonous, and has

the ability to dissipate quickly into the atmosphere because

of its light weight compared to air.” [3]

Recent trends

Fig No.8Fuel Cell Bus Developed By TATA Motors

Source: [1]

Tata Motors in collaboration with the ISRO (Indian Space

Research Organization) have developed the country‟s first

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus. The bus was demonstrated at the

Liquid Propulsions Systems Center in an ISRO facility located

in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.[14]Thetestwascarriedoutfor 5

km in the presence of S Ramakrishnan, director

of VikramSarabhai SpaceCentre, and senior authorities of Tata

Motors which carried out the five-year research project.

The bus is operated using an electro-chemical engine working

under reverse electrolysis process, V Gnana Gandhi, the brain

behind the project, said while explaining the use of liquid

hydrogen to propel automobiles. Hydrogen compressed to 150 bar atmosphere is stored in cylinders on the roof of the bus.

The fuel reaching the engine is decompressed to 2 bar

atmosphere and thereafter converted by the hydrogen fuel

cells into direct current (DC). This power is then converted

into alternate current (AC) to drive the electric engines. "This

is basically an electric operation using hydrogen fuel. As the

by-product is water, absolutely there is no emission at all,"

Gandhi stated.[10,14]

With primary emphasis on energy security and environment

improvement, various research, development and

demonstration activities on different aspects of hydrogen

energy that includes hydrogen production, its storage and

applications for motive power and power generation through

internal combustion engine and fuel cell based systems, have

been pursued by academic institutions, Council for Scientific

and Industrial Research (CSIR) laboratories, industry etc. with

the support of Government of India, for more than two

decades. As a result, laboratory scale prototypes have been

developed and some of them include: (a) bio-hydrogen production using distillery wastes; (b) Proton

Exchange Membrane (PEM) based electrolysers for hydrogen

production through splitting of water and water-methanol

mixture; (c) inter-metallic hydride with storage capacity upto

2.42 wt per cent; (d) liquid organic hydrides for hydrogen

storage with storage capacity of about 6 wt per cent ; (e)

methanol reformer for production of hydrogen, which can be

used in PEM fuel cells; (f) hydrogen catalytic combustion

cookers; (g) hydrogen fuelled motor-cycles and three wheelers

with hydrogen storage in metal hydrides; (h) hydrogen fuelled

three wheelers with hydrogen storage in high pressure

composite cylinders; (i) hydrogen fuelled internal combustion

engine for stationary power generation; (j) phosphoric acid

fuel cells with stacks up to 25 kW capacity; (k) PEM fuel cells

with stacks up to 5 kW capacity; (l) UPS system based on

PEM fuel cell; (m) fuel cell battery hybrid van; (n) hydrogen

blended CNG (H-CNG) fuelled vehicles; etc. Use and

applications of hydrogen are in the early demonstration stages

in the country both for transport and for stationary power

generation.[1]

Fig No.9Hydrogen supply processes suggested in the National

Hydrogen Road Map

Source: [1]

Limitations: The hydrogen is not so readily available, however. Hydrogen has some limitations that make it impractical for use

in most applications. a) For instance, you don't have a hydrogen

pipeline coming to your house, and you can't

pull up to a hydrogen pump at your local gas

station. b) Hydrogen is difficult to store and distribute, so

it would be much more convenient if fuel cells

could use fuels that are more readily available. c) Technology is currently expensive.

Conclusion: Thus, it can be said that there will be a bright

future if this hydrogen fuel cell is put up to usein all vehicles

by properly considering the safety matter first. And if this eco-

friendly technology is used, the rate of pollution is surely

going to come down. It is not only eco-friendly but, also

serves to be a great fuel source. Since the conventional sources

of fuel may not prove to be sufficient, there arises a need to

develop a new alternative source of energy. Although there are

a few problems related with the storage of hydrogen gas,

which might be overcome as the technology develops further. “Hydrogen holds the great promise to meet our future energy

needs concerned with our environment.”

Prospects for future:There is an urgent need to set up

hydrogen production cum dispensing stations at suitable locations, especially for making operation of hydrogen fuelled

vehicles possible. We may also see hydrogen fuelled vehicles

for public transport, including three wheelers and buses using either IC engine or fuel cell technologies on Indian roads. This

is highly realistic as the Indian automobile industry has

already taken a lead in this direction.[1]

1.) The technology should be made cost effective. 2.) Developing more safety features to the onboard

hydrogen tank and also at refilling stations by

making the use of Auto-locking of supply valves by

using hydrogen detector.

In this technique, if the hydrogen is leaked

from the cylinder or supply line then

hydrogen will be detected by the sensor

provided to it by sensing the tlv (threshold

limit value) of hydrogen.

When the gas is detected, the supply valves

from the hydrogen tank are closed. Thus,

hydrogen gas leaking is thus avoided. 3.) The other technique is to splash the water where

the hydrogen gas is leaked. But for this, there

will be separate water storing facility required.

Thus, hazards expected from hydrogen gas

leaking are thus avoided

4.) Proposed hydrogen as a fuel in boilers. This initiative, supported by legislation in the Energy Policy

Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005) and the Advanced Energy

Initiative of 2006, aims to develop hydrogen, fuel cell and

infrastructure technologies to make fuel-cell vehicles practical

and cost-effective by 2020. [11]

Reference: [1] AkshayUrja, “Hydrogen energy and fuel cell technologies”,

Volume 5,Issue 5, April 2012

[2] Brand, D. “Fuel Cell Development”, 31 Oct,2003

(http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/Nov03/Fuelcell.institute.de

b.html)

[3] Craig,D. Edelstein,B. Evenson,B. Brecher,A. Cox,D., “Hydrogen

fuel cell vehicle study”, 12 June,2003

[4] “Calorific values of fuels”

(http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/fuels-higher-calorific-values-

d_169.html)

[5] “Ford hydrogen fuel cell prototypes”, 2009

(http://www.autoconcept-reviews.com/cars_reviews/ford/ford-

hydrogen-fuel-cell-prototypes/cars_reviews-ford-hydrogen-fuel-

cell-prototypes-2008.html)

[6] “Freedom CAR and Fuel technical partnership: Technical goals”

(http://www.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/about/partnerships/f

reedomcar/index.shtml)

[7] “Fuel Cell Animation”(http://static.howstuffworks.com/flash/fuel-

cell-animation.swf)

[8] “Fuel Cell”

(www.fuelcelleducation.org/wp.../pdf/Intro%20to%20Fuel%20Cel

ls.ppt)

[9] “Fuel cell today”(http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/history)

[10] J,Arockiaraj. “India conducts dry run of hydrogen fuel cell bus”,

Jul 30, 2013,

[11] Nice, K. Strickland, J. “How fuel cell works”

(http://www.howstuffworks.com/fuel-cell.htm/printable)

[12] “Proton exchange membrane fuel cell”

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton_exchange_membrane_fuel_ce

ll)

[13] Ross, D.K. Hydrogen storage: The major technological barrier to

the development of hydrogen fuel cell car Vacuum.”, Volume80,

Issue 10, Pages 1084-1089, 3 August 2006

[14] “Tata Motors and ISRO develop India’s first Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Bus”, 13 July,2013