How will hydrogen fuel cells change the world

1
(No Transcript)
2
How will hydrogen fuel cells change the world?

3
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

4
How A Hydrogen Fuel Cell Works

• The fuel cell is composed of an anode, an
  electrolyte membrane in the center, and a
  cathode.
• Hydrogen flows into the fuel cell anode.
  Platinum coating on the anode helps to separate
  the gas into hydrogen ions and electrons. The
  electrolyte membrane allows only the protons to
  pass through the membrane to the cathode side of
  the fuel cell. The electrons cannot pass through
  this membrane and flow through an external
  circuit in the form of electric current.

5
How a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Works
6
How A Hydrogen Fuel Cell Works

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

7
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.

8
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

9
Bush Administrations Hydrogen Commitment

• 500 metric tons of carbon saved each year by 2040
• Reduce demand for
• oil by 11 million
• barrels per day by
• 2040
• Child born in 2003 to
• drive a hydrogen car at age 16

10
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
• home PC.

11
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.

12
GM Hy-Wire Concept Car

• Skateboard-like chassis with snap-on body.
• No engine compartment, larger cabin.
• 82hp engine
• 0-62 mph. in 16 seconds

13
Honda FCX Concept Car

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

14
Hydrogen in the Home and Office

• Hydrogen fuel cells will power and heat homes and
  offices.
• Hopefully this will start in about 10 years.
• The hydrogen will come from natural gas that has
  gone through a reformer.
• Hydrogen cars can be refueled in the garage by a
  hydrogen powered house.

15
Hydrogen in Politics

• Much of the worlds and Americas oil comes from
  the Middle East.
• This is an incredibly volatile region.
• Oil runs the economy in these countries

16
Hydrogen in Politics

• Hydrogen fuel cells mean a decreased need for
  Middle Eastern oil.
• Decreased imports by the US means a decreased
  military presence in the Middle East.
• Possible economic collapse in main oil exporting
  nations and in places like Saudi Arabia, this
  could lead to revolution.
• Possible no-win situation for the US.

17
Hydrogen in Politics

• Hydrogen fuel cells can be used to power third
  world.
• In underdeveloped countries, the governments
  would not have to go broke importing oil.
• Solar or wind power collectors could produce
  energy which would make hydrogen.

18
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.

19
Discussion Questions

• Do you think the federal government should help
  fund the development of hydrogen fuel cell
  technologies?
• Do you think that hydrogen fuel cells are a
  viable alternative to oil?
• What aspect of hydrogen fuel cell power interests
  you the most or what do you think you will
  benefit most from?
• Questions?

20
Bibliography

• Burns, Lawrence D. McCormick J. Byron
  Borroni-Bird, Vehicle of Change. Scientific
  American. Vol. 287 Issue 4, Oct. 2002. Page 64.
• Daily Auto Insider, The. http//www.caranddrive
  r.com 12 Feb. 2003.
• Fact Sheet Hydrogen Fuel a Clean and Secure
  Energy Future. 6 Feb. 2003 http//www.whitehouse
  .gov/news/release/2003/02
• GMs Hy-Wire fuel cell concept to be unveiled at
  Paris Motor Show. Yahoo Canada Autos. 15 Aug.
  2002. http//ca.autos.yahoo.com/020815/11/odrd.htm
  l.
• Hall, Larry. General Motors tries out a Hy-Wire
  act with new fuel-cell vehicle. The Oregonian.
  25 Jan. 2003.

21
Bibliography

• How Does a Fuel Cell Work. http//www.utcfuelcel
  ls.com/fuelcell/how_fl.shtml
• Hydrogen Fuel Initiative Can Make Fundamental
  Difference Remarks by the President on Energy
  Independence. http//www.whitehouse.gov/news/rel
  ease/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.shtm
  l