The emerging fuel of the future Essay Example

oxygen from the environment enters the cathode. The H+ ions flow through a polymer electrolyte membrane into the cathode while generating electrons that can be used as electricity. At the anode, 2H2 => 4H+ + 4e-, while at the cathode, O2 + 4H+ + 4e- => 2H2O. When these two reactions are combined, they result in a net reaction of 2H2 + O2 => 2H20. Continuous supply of hydrogen (H2) to the anode allows for perpetual electricity production.

Hydrogen fuel presents unique benefits as a potential substitute for gasoline, such as superior efficiency ratings. While other combustion-based fuels experience losses during their two-step thermodynamic conversion from heat to mechanical energy, fuel cells can achieve an efficiency rate of 83% without any such issues. This is because hydrogen fuel produces electricity directly, resulting in greater efficiency.

Although hydrogen has an atomic weight of 1.0, its liquid density is much lower than that of gasoline at approximately 0.07 g/cc versus 0.75 g/cc.

While hydrogen fuel emits no pollutants except for heat and water and can store 2.6 times more energy per unit mass compared to gasoline, the primary environmental concern related to greenhouse gas emissions is the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Around the globe, countries are aiming to reduce car emissions as a means of tackling air pollution. One increasingly popular solution is utilizing hydrogen fuel, which involves extracting hydrogen from hydrocarbons in natural gas to create fuel cells. Although this method does generate some pollutants, they are considerably less harmful than those emitted by gasoline and diesel fuels. With numerous benefits including low or zero emissions, high efficiency, reliability, multi-fuel capabilities, flexibility, durability and easy maintenance; fuel

cells can also be scaled up or stacked like batteries until achieving the desired power output.

Although fuel cells have benefits, such as reducing noise pollution and utilizing waste heat for hot water or space heating, the economic practicality of using hydrogen fuel at home and in vehicles is still being developed. It may take several years to address obstacles like the current size of fuel tanks.

Although hydrogen has a low density, the automotive industry has made progress in reducing the size of hydrogen fuel tanks. Honda's FCX technology uses compressed hydrogen storage and ultra-capacitors (McCormick 10) to address this issue, but safety concerns remain due to the potential for accidents caused by frozen air from liquid hydrogen or pressure buildup resulting from plugged valves. In case of a collision, there is a risk of explosions from both gasoline and hydrogen tanks, although this danger is slightly lessened with hydrogen due to its quick dissipation.

Enclosed areas, like garages or tunnels, can lead to explosions due to the release of hydrogen. Nonetheless, safety measures are in development to address this concern for future use of fuel cell technology. Furthermore, storing and insulating hydrogen is challenging because it evaporates gradually at a rate of 1.7% daily. This poses difficulties for cars that remain unused for extended periods.

One solution to the challenge of obtaining hydrogen, which is not naturally plentiful, is to utilize a compressed hydrogen tank that has sufficient fuel capacity to reach a hydrogen station. The usual approach for acquiring hydrogen involves dividing water molecules (H2O) to obtain it. However, due to inefficiencies and the law of conservation of energy in thermodynamics, this process necessitates all the

energy derived from burning hydrogen plus an extra amount.

While hydrogen itself is not a primary energy source, it serves as an intermediary for energy transfer. To create hydrogen, one can split water into oxygen and hydrogen with either nuclear or solar energy. Despite being cheaper, the use of nuclear energy raises safety concerns that make it inappropriate for current use.

Advancements in nuclear plant safety could lead to hydrogen production using nuclear energy in the future. Research and development of hydrogen fuel has made significant progress, with companies like Hydrogen Solar and Altair Nanotechnologies constructing a mechanism that uses sunlight to break down water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen. Nathan Lewis, who works on hydrogen research with GE at Caltech University, believes that photoelectrochemical solar energy conversion systems are more efficient than electrolysis for splitting water into its component parts.

Significant advances in hydrogen fuel technology have been achieved by automotive companies, as demonstrated by DaimlerChrysler's introduction of the NECAR IV - a concept car powered by fuel cells and hydrogen, and capable of reaching speeds of up to 90 MPH with a refueling range of 280 miles. In 2005, Honda also made strides in this area by improving its fuel economy rating from 48 to 57 miles per kilogram of hydrogen - an increase of 18 percent (McCormick 10).

General Motors has increased the range of their vehicles using their current stack technology from 160 to 190 miles. Additionally, they have implemented fuel cell-powered forklifts in their auto plant which use a fuel cell power pack. The power pack includes a fuel cell power module, an ultracapacitor storage unit, hydrogen storage, thermal management, and power electronic controls

(Siuro 30). Hydrogenics’ HyPM 10 Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) is used in these fuel cells with a compact size of only 83.82 cm long x 101.6 cm wide x 60.

The maximum system efficiency for a 96 cm high hydrogen-powered vehicle is 56%. It is becoming closer to commercial viability due to growing public attention and government support for research and development. The fuel cell technology is best suited for small, high value markets before expanding to larger markets with economies of scale. While the automobile market may be one of the last major markets for the fuel cell, it remains a challenging one.

Due to the majority of oil supply coming from middle-eastern countries, other nations will be motivated to promptly create fuel alternatives like hydrogen fuel as an economic measure. The reliance on foreign nations for fuel can result in economic issues when oil prices escalate because of amplified demands. These motivations, blended with the initiative to produce eco-friendly vehicles, will undoubtedly make hydrogen fuel a significant player in future fuel markets. Currently, a number of small and large firms manufacture fuel cells.

Despite the immense potential for growth in various sectors like power plants, automobiles, laptops, and cell phones, there will always be competition for manufacturing, integrating, and deploying fuel cells and related equipment. The appeal of hydrogen fuel stems from its efficiency, zero emissions, scalability, and durability. Furthermore, the government's support, numerous firms' research, and the development of prototypes by automotive industries all point towards a promising future for hydrogen fuel.

There is a strong push towards economically feasible production of domestic renewable energy, leading to a desire for affordable hydrogen fuel. Once

cost-effective mass production, storage, safety, and fuel tank capacity issues are resolved, hydrogen fuel is expected to be the fuel source of tomorrow. Reference: “What is a Fuel Cell”. Fuel Cells 2000: The Online Fuel Cell Information Resource. 20 November 2006. http://www.

The Standford University website published an article by John McCarthy titled "Hydrogen" on December 21, 1995, which can be found on fuelcells.org. As of November 21, 2006, this article is still accessible.

John Gartner's website on hydrogen fuel can be found at http://www-formal.stanford.edu/jmc/progress/hydrogen.html.

The news article titled "Sunlight to Fuel Hydrogen" was published on December 7, 2004 by Wired.com and is related to technology.

Francis Huang's Engineering Thermodynamics: Fundamentals And Applications was published on November 20, 2006 and can be found at http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,65936,00.html.

John McCormick wrote a book called "New York" which was published by Macmillian Publishing Company in 1988.

"Fuel Cell Pioneer" and "Fuel Cell-Powered Forklifts at Work in Auto Plant" are both articles published in the March 2005 issue of Automotive Industries by author Bill Siuru, with page numbers 10-11.

Diesel Progress published a piece titled "Black Into Green" by Bill Siuru in November-December 2005 on pages 30-31.

Dri. Jacobson, Roger. "Diesel Progress", March-April 2005.

Accessed: 07 December 2004.

The website "edu:Fuelcells" with the URL "http://www. dri. edu/Projects/Energy/Fuelcells/Fuelcells. html" was published on November 20, 2006.