Hydrogen Fuel Cell VehiclesKonrad Pyrzanowski

Outline

Background

Description

Benefits

Relative costs & economics

Policy

Final thoughts & questions

Background: Why Hydrogen FCV’s?

Hydrogen

Petroleum Dependency Local Air Quality

Global Climate Change Efficiency

Background: H2O & Hydrocarbons

A hydrogen element cannot be found alone, it is naturally combined with other elements such oxygen (H2O), or in many organic compounds (Hydrocarbons make up the identity of fossil fuels).

https://nanohub.org/site/resources/2013/02/17079/slides/015.01.jpg http://media-3.web.britannica.com/eb-media/27/117827-004-49F7A4EB.jpg

Background: Types of Hydrogen Production

Natural Gas Reforming – this process accounts for 95% of the hydrogen used today. The process breaks down methane (CH4) into hydrogen and carbon dioxide. These gases are reacted with water again, in a process called a water shift reaction, to produce more hydrogen and CO2.

Electrolysis – is the process of separating water in its components of hydrogen and oxygen using an electrical current. The GHG emissions from electrolysis for hydrogen production depend on the source of the electricity used. Renewable electricity is ideal.

Gasification - process in which coal or biomass is converted into gaseous components by applying heat under pressure and in the presence of air/oxygen and steam. A series of chemical reactions is then used to produce a synthesis gas, which is reacted with steam to produce more hydrogen.

Types of Hydrogen production continued…

High-Temperature Thermochemical Water-Splitting – This is another water-splitting method that uses high temperatures from nuclear reactors, providing chemical reactions that split water, producing hydrogen.

Photobiological and Photoelectrochemical Processes - These processes use energy from sunlight to produce hydrogen, use microbes, such as green algae and cyanobacteria, although both are currently in early stages of research.

Source: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/pdfs/doe_h2_production.pdf

Background: How does it work?

Vehicle is powered on-board by an electrical motor

The fuel cell (motor) connects to hydrogen tank, battery & inverter

When stationary or in motion, the battery powers the electrical engine

http://www.mpoweruk.com/hydrogen_fuel.htm

How does it work?

As the vehicle is in motion, the fuel cell produces on-board electricity using hydrogen from tank (recharging the battery)

When more torque is needed, car draws simultaneously from battery and fuel cell

Energy is recovered during braking, transformed by the inverter and applied to the battery

Performance similar to those running on traditional fuels

Major components of typical FCV

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fuelcell.shtml

Description of the Fuel Cell Vehicle

Fuel Cell Stack – electrochemical device that produces electricity using hydrogen and oxygen (next slide)

Hydrogen Storage Tank - Instead of a gasoline/diesel tank, the vehicle includes a hydrogen storage tank. Hydrogen gas must be compressed at extremely high pressure between 5,000 to 10,000 pounds per square inch (psi) to store enough fuel to obtain desired driving range.

https://www.ngvamerica.org/tech_data/index.html

Description: A fuel cell stack works by…

A fuel cell is composed of a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM), placed between an anode (a negative electrode) and a cathode (a positive electrode), with bipolar plates on either side;

First, the hydrogen gas flows to the anode. Where the platinum catalyst is used to separate the hydrogen molecule into positive hydrogen ions (protons) and negatively charged electrons.

The PEM allows only the protons to pass through to the cathode, while the electrons travel through an external circuit to the cathode. The flow of electrons through this circuit creates the electric current (or electricity) used to power the vehicle motor.

While on the other side of the cell, oxygen gas, usually drawn from the outside air, flows to the cathode.

When the electrons return from the external circuit, the positively charged hydrogen ions and electrons react with oxygen in the cathode to form water, which then flows out of the cell. The cathode also uses a platinum catalyst to enable this reaction.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_PEM.shtml

Description: Fuel cell

http://www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=78

Description: Diagram of Fuel Cell Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM)

Source: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_PEM.shtml

Description: FCV’s also powered by a secondary source

With the injection of fuels such as ethanol, methane, or natural gas. The conversion into hydrogen can be done on-board the vehicle. Such vehicles do emit a minimal amount of emission due to the conversion process.

http://www.afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/fuel_cell.html

Immediate Benefits

High energy efficiency of fuel cell drivetrains, which use 40 to 60 percent of the energy available from hydrogen, compared to internal combustion engines, which currently use only about 20 percent of the energy from gasoline;

There are multiple methods by which hydrogen can be produced (Natural gas reforming, electrolysis, gasification etc.);

Unlike all-electric vehicles (EVs), FCV’s hold a comparable distance range and refueling time to gasoline vehicles;

Similar to EVs, FCVs have quick starts due to high torque from the electric motor and low operating noise;

Lack of any GHG emissions and few other air pollutants during vehicle operation and the potential for very low or no upstream GHG emissions associated with the hydrogen fuel production.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/pdfs/doe_h2_fuelcell_factsheet.pdf

Costs & Economics

The cost of fuel cells have decreased gradually within recent years. On the other hand, the cost for a complete fuel cell system is almost double that for an internal combustion engine.

Directed Technologies, Inc. conducted a study for the Department of Energy estimating the lowest production costs for fuel cell vehicles. With production levels at 500,000 units/year, the study found costs for fuel cell system at $51/kW during 2010. The projected costs for 2015 would be at $39/kW. While the DOE goal is down to $30/kW for this year.

http://www.sciencepubco.com/index.php/ijet/article/view/2349

Costs & Economics

http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/pdfs/10004_fuel_cell_cost.pdf

Economics of Fuel Cell

• (FCVs) are more expensive than conventional and hybrid vehicles but costs have decreased significantly and are approaching DOE's goal for 2017.

Source: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_benefits.shtml

Policy & promotions of FCV

Great amount of policy support and investment is essential to achieve market readiness

Government support through RD&D initiatives

Support manufacturers produce demonstration vehicles, and also build out of the infrastructure for hydrogen distribution

Achieving market penetration of FCVs, the NAS estimates that the government support required will be approximately $55 billion from 2008 to 2023, with an investment from private industry of $145 billion over the same period

http://www.c2es.org/docUploads/HydrogenFuelCellVehicles.pdf

Final thoughts and questions.

ProsHigh efficiency (mileage

& electric motor)

Clean emissions

Recharging not required

Little to zero noise

Great for transportation logistics or busses

ConsExpensive in early stages

Hydrogen production process

Sensitive to temperatures & contamination (robustness)

Could become irrelevant if batteries get good enough

Hydrogen distribution.