The zero emission vehicles are

here !!

FUEL CELL
CARS
M. Waseem Nawab (J.E.)
Applied Chemistry Laboratories

A Very Relevant Topic !!

The topic of alternative fuel vehicles is
especially relevant as they protect our
nature, they protect us !!
As gas prices continue to rise , well
likely
see this topic get more and more
attention !!
Oil pollutes and there are limited
supplies !!

LTERNATE FUEL VEHICLE

Electric cars
-currently out in the market but not
very
efficient
Solar cars
-R&D in process , not very
reliable !!
Hybrid cars
-utilizes battery as well fuel ,

LTERNATE FUEL VEHICLE

Fuel Cell Vehicles
Zero Emission
Vehicles; only water
as exhaust
Burns hydrogen,
produces pure
water exhaust
Amazing R&D by
HONDA, BMW etc.

BMW has broken several

speed records for
hydrogen cars and is
banking on cars that can
run successfully on both
gas and hydrogen, but
Honda emphasizes on fuel
cell only cars !!

What is a Fuel Cell?

Quite simply, a fuel cell is a device that converts chemical energy
into
electrical energy, water, and heat
through
Fuel
and airelectrochemical
react when they come
reactions.
into contact through a porous
membrane (electrolyte) which
separates
them.
This reaction results in a transfer of
electrons and ions across the
electrolyte
from the anode to the cathode.
If an external load is attached to
this
arrangement,
a complete
circuit
The voltage generated by a single
cell is typically
rather small
(<is
formedin series to create a useful
1 volt), so many cells are connected
and a voltage is generated from the
voltage.
flow
of electrical current.

hat Really is a Fuel Cell ?

An old idea whose time has come
Utilises hydrogen as a fuel to
generate electricity
No pollutant emitted , water is the
only exhaust !!
Fuel cells are similar to batteries,
but designed for continuous
replenishment of energy via
external fuel
Hydrogen FCs 2 times as efficient
as internal combustion
In simple terms , Hydrogen and
oxygen in, water vapor and liquid
water out ; thats the basic
working principle .

Fuel Cell Vs. Battery

Basic operating principles of both are very similar, but there

are several
Intrinsic differences.

Open system
Anode and cathode are
gases in
contact with a platinum
catalyst.
Reactants are externally
supplied,
no recharging required.

Closed system
Anode and cathode are
metals.
Reactants are internally
consumed,
need periodic recharging.

Fuel Cell Stacks

In order to produce
enough voltage, cells
are grouped into
stacks
A hydrogen fuel cell
automobile would
have at least 45 cells
in a stack
Hydrogen is stored
and injected in either
liquid or gas form
Many cells, but only
output is still liquid
and vapor water

How does a fuel cell

really work ??

Where will the hydrogen come

from
??for consumer use
Hydrogen is not readily
available
yet.
A fuel like natural gas is reformed into hydrogen
which will then go on to power a fuel cell.
Hydrogen can be produced by one of the following
methods :
Thermochemical : A steam reforming process is currently
used to produce hydrogen from such fuels as natural gas,
coal, methanol, or even gasoline. To draw on renewable
energy sources, the gasification or pyrolysis of biomass
organic materialcan be used to generate a fuel gas.
Electrochemical : The electrolysis of water produces
hydrogen by passing an electrical current through it.

Where will the hydrogen come

from
??
Photoelectrochemical
: The photoelectrochemical
(PEC) process produces hydrogen in one step,
splitting water by illuminating a water-immersed
semiconductor with sunlight.
Photobiological : Photobiological systems
generally use the natural photosynthetic activity
of bacteria and green algae to produce hydrogen.
<< solar
powered water
electrolyzing
hydrogen
station
Solar powered
>>
hydrogen

Renewable Hydrogen Station

Solar Array - Electrolysis of Water - H2

Usage
10,000 miles / year
(from solar array H2 only)

Honda R&D facility in Torrance, CA

Dispenser

High pressure
Compressor
tanks

Water
electrolyzer
Converter

Solar cells
System diagram

Grid

Home Energy Station

Home Refueling with Co-generation of Heat and Electricity

Heat

Fuel cell

Electricity

Inverter
Natural gas

Reform
Purify
CompressStorage
tank

Natural Gas line

HES II in Albany, New York

(Honda & Plug Power Development)

Hydrogen

Hydrogen Fuel- Cell Cars

Quieter operation than normal cars because
of no moving parts in the fuel cell stack and
electric motors at the wheels.
Hydrogen cars run clean.
500 cubic tons of carbon removed from
atmosphere by 2040
New design possibilities
because of compact
hydrogen fuel cell
stack.

Detachable body
~5 minute refueling time
-20 to 95 deg. C Fuel Cell Operation
100kW Motor Power
Navigation System H2 stations

57 miles/kg EPA combined rating (label)

Up to 210 mile range, EPA rated
~5 minute refueling time
-20 to 95 deg. C Fuel Cell Operation
80kW (109 hp) Motor Power
Navigation System H2 stations

Fuel-cell Cars

Clarity

4 Door Sedan, New FC Packaging (V-flow)

Low floor height
FC Stack hidden between seats

New stack architecture: vertical gas

and water flow
Air

Water

H22

Compact
Efficient
Enhanced subzero startup &
operation

WORKING PRINCIPLES OF FUELCELL

CARS
Hydrogen injected
into
Hydroge
n
tanks

fuel stack
Electricity generated

Fuel Cell
Stack

Electric motor operated

by the electricity
generated
Wheels get the power
through power train

Electric
motor
W
H
E
E
L
s

Power Train

W
H
E
E
L
s

WORKING PRINCIPLES OF FUEL-CELL

CARS

WORKING PRINCIPLES OF FUELCELL CARS

Advantages
Dependence on non-renewable fuel which are depleting
day by day is removed
Fuel cell vehicle is the most promising technology for
use of sustainable energy sources.
Hydrogen is only type of energy that can provide a
wholesale substitute for foreign oil within a decade.
Clean, twice as efficient as internal combustion, and
plentiful
No emission vehicles- water is the only exhaust

Disadvantages
The hydrogen is not so readily available
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.
Large Fuel cell stacks need to placed for better
performance of the vehicles
If hydrogen is produced by a Reformer using fossil
fuels etc. , there is some extent of environmental
pollution.
Technology currently expensive ; Many design
issues still in progress

CONCLUSION
We should aggressively pursue hydrogen fuel
cell vehicles
There are definite issues, but nothing
compared to the environmental issues
associated with being wholly dependent on oil.
We need to look beyond the sticker price , we
need to play our part in the sustainable
development and in protecting our
environment .
Newer Versions of fuel cell cars like the honda
clarity are sporty, have speed and all other
properties , which means you dont have to
sacrifice to play your part for the environment.

Thank
you
!!
Questions ??