Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology in Automotive Applications

MING-CHIEH CHIUFERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY

AUTO 480

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology in Automotive Applications

Introduction

Fuel cell technology is a response to environmental concerns becoming more visible and voiced globally

Automotive sector is a large contributing factor to pollution world-wide

Environmental issues has sparked development for greener automotive technology in terms of energy production

Introduction

Alternative fuels which produce close-to, or zero emissions are very attractive

Fuel cell technology operating on hydrogen seen to be gaining popularity

This presentation will reflect on history of hydrogen technology, examine types of fuel cell technology, review the H-Racer 2.0, and discuss the future of hydrogen technology in automotive applications

History of Hydrogen Technology

Discovery of Hydrogen dated back to 1625, when Johann Baptista van Helmont introduced the word “gas”

Hydrogen named by French chemist, ; hydrogen meaning water-former in Greek

De Rivas reciprocating engine developed by Isaac de Rivaz in 1806

History of Hydrogen Technology

Sir William Grove discovered chemistry for generating electricity through electrolysis of water; considered “father of the fuel cell”

Space Age of the 1960s extensively researched and used fuel cell technology by the NASA Space Program

1966, GM produced the first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the Electrovan

Types of Hydrogen Technology

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles not considered true ZEVs, since water and water vapor is a byproduct

Similar to electric vehicles, but electricity is generated through chemical reactions

Main components: fuel cell stack, high pressure hydrogen supply tank, air pump, humidification system, cooling system, battery or capacitor, electrical motor and transmission, control modules



Direct Methanol (DMFC)Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM)Alkaline (AFC)Phosphoric Acid (PAFC)Molten Carbonate (MCFC)Solid Oxide (SOFC)


PEM the most commonly used fuel cellComponents: fuel source (hydrogen typically), anode and

cathode, and electrolyteHydrogen enters anode (negative) plateOxygen enters cathode (positive) plateCatatyst lines inside of electrode plates, blocking

electrons from passing throughHydrogen enters the membrane, catalyst separates the

electrons from hydrogen atomsMembrane blocks electrons, diverts them through

electrical circuit to be used as energyHydrogen protons allowed to pass through, combines

with oxygen to form water and water vapor



Many concerns in order for fuel cell technology to be utilized properly

Support systems required, high maintenanceHigh power output and density generate heatStorage concerns involving space and safety

H-Racer 2.0 Review

Scale model fuel cell vehicle kit produced by Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies as a educational model for students

Requires complete self-assembly, features steering by remote control

$70 USD on Amazon.com

H-Racer 2.0 Review

Includes: hydrogen station, car chassis, car body, PEM fuel cell, 0.75 watt solar panel, infrared remote control, instructional CD-ROM, and other various pieces of hardware required for assembly

H-Racer 2.0 Review

Contents packed and laid out neatly for easy identification

Instruction manual resembled Ikea assembly sheet

Lots of detailed pictures and clear instructions

Assembly hardware too smallFlimsy plastic material, difficult to assembleOnline reviews indicated high occurrences of

stripped screws

H-Racer 2.0 Review

Operation:Refueling station utilizes power from the

solar panel or batteries to create hydrogen from water

Model car is connected to the refueling station, releasing hydrogen into the balloon inside the car body

Hydrogen is then utilized in combination with oxygen to generate electricity using the PEM fuel cell assembled to the car

H-Racer 2.0 Review

The Future of Hydrogen Technology

Hydrogen fuel cell technology slowly gaining popularity due to decreased cost

In early days of development, platinum component made mass production expensive

Technology advancements in combination with increasingly stringent emissions regulations have brought manufacturing processes down


Mercedes-Benz F-CellHonda FCX ClarityToyota MiraiGM HydroGenHyundai Blue



Lack of infrastructure for hydrogen refuelling2012 study shows only 58 hydrogen stations

compared to 5,200 electric vehicle charging stations

Advancements in leading fuel technologies make fuel cell vehicles hard to compete in the market

Performance, cost, reliability, and durability must be equal, if not more attractive