A Study of Energy, Fuel Cells and Energy Efficiency

1. A Study of Energy, Fuel Cells and Energy Efficiency RET Corps Member: Dalia Zygas Workshop Attendee Group Members: Yvette M. Burnett, Lynne El-Amin Waheed, Sueha Kayyal, Waclaw Kondratko, & Billie J. Miller IIT Research Mentor: Dr. Donald J. Chmielewski This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant No. EEC-0502174. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

2. Overview of Module • Topics Covered: • Balancing Equations • Calculating Bond Energy • Enthalpy ΔH • Efficiency • Student Involvement: • 14 – Middle and High School Students • 100% Participation

3. Pretest/Posttest Results

4. Design Activity • BriefDescription: To use a car which is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and measure its efficiency in a manner similar to the Hero’s engine lab • Defining Need: Measuring efficiency of environmentally friendly engine (fuel-cell) • Background research: - - -

5. Design Research ENERGY AND FUEL CELLS • Energy has been declared as the number one problem that humanity must face during next 50 years. Hydrogen and fuel cells have been getting a lot of attention because they directly and efficiently convert chemical energy to electrical energy. Fuel cells based on hydrogen are environmentally friendly since water is the only byproduct. Fuel cells based on hydrogen as a fuel do not produce greenhouse gases such as CO2 and providing an environmentally benign power. If hydrogen should be used in future, the important issue is its inexpensive production and storage.

6. Design Research Mean Global Energy Consumption, 1998 Gas Hydro Renew Total: 12.8 TW U.S.: 3.3 TW (99 Quads)

7. Today: Production Cost of Electricity (in the U.S. in 2002) 25-50 ¢ Cost, ¢/kW-hr 6-7 ¢ 5-7 ¢ 6-8 ¢ 2.3-5.0 ¢ 1-4 ¢

9. POTENTIAL OF RENEWABLE ENERGY DESIGN RESEARCH • Hydroelectric • Geothermal • Ocean/Tides • Wind • Biomass • Solar

10. Design Research: Why Hydrogen ? • 2H2 + O2 = 2H2O -242 kJ mol-1 • Oxidation does not produce greenhouse gases • Use in fuel cells is highly efficient • The gasoline internal combustion engine could be replaced by hydrogen fuel cells in cars • Can store excess energy produced by other means • Unlimited supply, in principle, from renewable energy sources • Key component of the post-petroleum world

11. WHY HYDROGEN AND FUEL CELLS • Fuel cells directly and efficiently convert chemical energy to electrical energy. • Fuel cells offering significant environmental benefits and high electrical efficiency. • With their promise of environmentally benign power, fuel cells are widely promoted as the electricity generators of the future.

12. PROBLEMS WITH HYDROGEN • Expensive-more energy is used to generate hydrogen than is released when it is consumed • Storage: 4.4 MJ/L (680 atm)  9.72 MJ/L • Fuel cells: $3,000/kW  $35/kW (gasoline engine) • Energy density (H2(l), 8.4 MJ/L)  Energy density (gasoline, 31.6 MJ/L) • Research is needed on hydrogen uptake and release in complex hydrides Professor Michael Trenary, Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, ppp 7/6/2006. Source: BES Hydrogen Workshop Report

13. Priority Research Areas in Hydrogen Storage Novel and Nanoscale Materials Li, Nature 1999 Neutron imaging of hydrogen Cup-stacked carbon nNanofiber Nanoporous inorganic-organic compounds Complex metal hydrides can be recharged on board the vehicles Theory and Modeling To Understand Mechanisms, Predict Property Trends, Guide Discovery of New Materials H Adsorption in nanotube array Chemical hydrides will need off-board regeneration Professor Michael Trenary, Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, ppp 7/6/2006. Source: BES Hydrogen Workshop Report

14. Energy Density of Fuels Ideal Solid State Storage Material for Hydrogen • High gravimetric and volumetric density(10wt%) • Fast kinetics • Favorable thermodynamics • Reversible and recyclable • Material integrity • Minimal lattice expansion • Absence of embrittlement • Safe • Cost effective 30 Gasoline 20 Liquid H2 Compressed gas H2 Volumetric Energy Density (MJ / L) Proposed DOE goal 10 Chemical hydrides 0 0 10 20 30 40 Complex hydrides Gravimetric Energy Density (MJ/kg)

15. Design Research: Conclusion • Cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells can greatly reduce our dependence on oil, if the hydrogen is generated renewably. • Basic research is needed to achieve a hydrogen economy. • Energy R&D is poised for rapid growth in the coming years. • Solving the worlds energy needs in a sustainable way is one of the greatest challenges of this century • Scientists/Engineers will be the heroes of this struggle

16. Design Activity • Design Criteria: • The ability to measure H2 • Energy Efficiency • Reduce CO2 emissions • Test & Redesign: Modifications to: • Track – Barriers, Surface and Location, Placement of Clips, Increased Mass, • Inquiry, trial and error • Materials Modifications: Need for a different car • Results:

17. Inquiry • Inquiry One: • Brief Description: Students were supplied with efficiency and work formulas, conversion factors, constants, tables, supplies/materials, lab procedure and examples on how to compute data • Lessons Learned • Process of collecting data and calculating efficiency and work formulas • Joules, Work, Efficiency, Mass, etc. • Inquiry Two: • Brief Description: Using various chemical symbols and manipulative drawings to develop skills needed to balance combustion reactions. • Students were given problem • Instructors coached – guided each group as they developed skills need to find the solution • Lessons Learned: • Students learned the basic rules of balancing equations • Based on test data, 30% of students gained knowledge need to balance combustion equations

18. Ethics • Brief Description: Original module would help students redesign and item within their community to make it more environmentally efficient, cost effective, able to use renewable resources and reduce CO2 emission. • Lessons Learned: Based on informal observations - students learned • H2 powered vehicle is not cost effective • Public demand should pressure engineers to design a more efficient and cost effective H2 powered vehicle

19. Modifications • Elementary (K-3) – Babies Driving Cars • How things work • What makes things go – hydrogen, diesel, and octane • Designing cars of the future • Late Elementary (4-5) - Di-atomic molecules • Use Bingo to introduce atomic symbols • Use everyday items to describe physical characteristics some of di-atomic molecules • Use construction paper and coffee stirs to build molecular models • Fuel car activity used to demonstrate use of gas to power a car • Middle (5-8) – Will The Force Be With You • Designing a method to measure the force between different magnets • Examining Various Magnets • Ethics of having magnetic devices • High School (9-12) – Food Power • Use fuel cell car to introduce concept of efficiency • Balance photosynthesis and cellular respiration equations • Use meal planner to examine efficiency of meal choices (including obesity, sluggishness, serum glucose level, etc.) • Create and support fast-food options for: athletes, infants, expecting mother, construction worker, senior citizen