HYDROGEN FUEL CELL VEHICLES

SUBMITTED TO: MR. GAURANG DEEP [MECHANICAL ENGG. DEPT.]

SUBMITTED BY: ABHAY YADAV ME-10 REG. NO.-104001

17/8/2012

CONTENTS
Why do we need a new fuel source? Where will hydrogen come from? Alternate fuel vehicles Hydrogen fuel cell How a hydrogen fuel cell works? Fuel cell vehicles and Issues Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle infrastructure Applications of fuel cell technology Economics,Recommendation Conclusion

How will hydrogen fuel cells change the world?

Why Do We Need a New Fuel Source?

Currently our machinery runs on oil Oil pollutes and there are limited supplies Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the known universe Hydrogen fuel cells do not pollute

Where Will Hydrogen Come From?

Hydrogen is not readily available for consumer use yet. To get around this problem, hydrogen will be extracted from other, more conventional types of fuels by a device called a reformer. A fuel like natural gas is reformed into hydrogen which will then go on to power a fuel cell.

Where Will Hydrogen Come From?

Natural gas comes from mostly the US, so even before the switch to pure hydrogen is made, we will get our fuel domestically. Natural gas production could peak by 2025

Alternate Fuel Vehicles

Hybrids

Ethanol/E85

Here now, but still require gas

Pushed by GM More expensive, just as dirty?

Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Internal Combustion Hydrogen

Slightly modified form of internal combustion engine Burns hydrogen, produces pure water exhaust Serious range problems

BMW has broken several speed records for hydrogen cars and is banking on cars that can run successfully on both gas and hydrogen

Hydrogen Fuel Cells

An old idea whose time has come

Fuel cells invented in 1838 by Swiss scientist Christian Friedrich Schnbein

Aspects of engines as well as batteries No pollution emitted PEM FCs ideal for light-duty vehicles, buildings & much smaller applications

How A Hydrogen Fuel Cell Works

Hydrogen fuel cells are very efficient compared to what we have now.

Fuel Cell Vehicles

Being pushed by car companies themselves

DaimlerChrysler Several test cars in Japan and Singapore; UPS vans in 2003-04 in U.S. Ford 40-60 vehicles in Germany, Canada, California; widespread production by 2010 GM wants to be first company to sell 1M FCV profitably; started with fuel cell backup systems in 2005. Prototype is Hy-wire Also Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Hyundai, VW, Mazda, others have FCV prototypes on the road

Severing connection with gas prices?

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Issues

Storage is complicated Limited range Expensive fuel Still a fossil fuel?

Energy carrier, not energy source

*Infrastructure*

Hydrogen Sources

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Infrastructure

Hydrogen Production

Almost all of the hydrogen produced in the U.S. today is by steam reforming of natural gas Produce hydrogen directly from new nuclear power reactors? R&D into several new methods:
Biological Water Splitting Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Reforming of Biomass and Wastes Solar Thermal Water Splitting Renewable Electrolysis

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Infrastructure

The Hydrogen Highway

Worlds first hydrogen refueling station opened in Iceland in 2003 California & Florida have both approved funding BC Hydrogen Highway will link Vancouver & Whistler by start of 2010 Winter Olympic Games

Environment
Why we are pursuing Hydrogen FCVs(?) Emissions free There are costs associated with environmental damage

Hydrogen Powered Cars

Hydrogen cars run clean. 500 cubic tons of carbon removed from atmosphere by 2040 New design possibilities because of compact hydrogen fuel cell stack. Stack of 200 cells is the size of a

Hydrogen Powered Cars

Quieter operation than normal cars because of no moving parts in the fuel cell stack and electric motors at the wheels. Possibility of interchangeable bodies.

Honda FCX Concept Car

Max speed 93 Mph 80hp produced 201 lb-ft torque No snap-on body More realistic 5th generation

Storage & Efficiency

Two storage options
1.

2.

Produce the hydrogen on the ground and then store it onboard the vehicle (the direct hydrogen option) Produce the hydrogen on the vehicle by means of a tiny onboard hydrogen plant (the onboard fuel processor option)

Hydrogen FCs 2 times as efficient as internal combustion

Internal combustion efficiency 15-25% Hydrogen FCs 50-60%

Estimates that FC Vehicles can achieve equivalent of 80 miles/gallon gasoline.

Applications of Fuel Cell Technology

Cars Buses Space Travel & Exploration Airplanes Submarines Off-grid Power Supply Combined Heat & Power

Economics
Current projections several times the price of standard cars Flexibility of oil industry

Manipulation of supply to keep oil just cheap enough At what point does it become worthwhile to consumers?
Cost of gas + environmental costs + dependency costs (political, militarily, social) > Cost of fuel cell cars + hydrogen fuel???

Economics
Only 2 ways to reduce our dependence on foreign oil

Increase production Decrease demand

The push for hydrogen fuel cell technology in cars represents the second

So Where Are We At?

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 But like manned space flight in early 60s, hydrogen fuel cells are proven but primitive

Do we need a 10 year goal ala Kennedy?

Currently several times (10x?) more expensive

Recommendation
We should aggressively pursue hydrogen fuel cell vehicles There are definite issues, but nothing compared to the economic, political and environmental issues associated with being wholly dependent on oil. A Kennedy-type goal, combined with gas prices continuing to rise at the current rate could get us there by 2010-15, possibly even sooner. Americans will need to look beyond the sticker price

Conclusion
Hydrogen fuel cells will dramatically change our cars, how are homes and businesses are powered and heated, and it both positively and negatively change places like the Middle East and third world countries. They will also clean up the worlds air.

Bibliography
How Does a Fuel Cell Work. http://www.utcfuelcells.com/fuelcell/how_fl.shtml Hydrogen Fuel Initiative Can Make Fundamental Difference: Remarks by the President on Energy Independence. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/release/2003/02 Lavelle, Marianne. Living Without Oil. US News and World Report. 17 Feb.2003. Page 32. Rifkin, Jeremy. The Hydrogen Economy. Tarcher/Putnam. New York. 2002. U.S. Oil Imports - Top 10 Countries of Origin. http://www.ott.doe.gov/facts/archives/fotw246.shtml

THANK YOU

QUESTIONS???