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Alternative Energy Sources
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle
 Device which Hydrogen and oxygen are
combined to produce chemical energy that is
converted directly into electrical energy, that
energy is then used to power the vehicles
electric motors.
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Video
What is a Fuel Cell?
 Alternative power source of electricity
 A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy
conversion device.
 A fuel cell converts the chemicals hydrogen
and oxygen into water, and in the process it
produces electricity.
How a Fuel Cell works
Hydrogen
Electrons
Carbon Plate (Anode)
Catalyst Layer
Matrix (Electrolyte)
Catalyst Layer
Carbon Plate (Cathode)
Oxygen
Water
Output per Cell
 This reaction in a single fuel cell produces
only about 0.7 volts.
 To get this voltage up to a reasonable level,
many separate fuel cells must be combined
to form a fuel-cell stack.
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What is holding back Fuel Cells?
 Hydrogen is difficult substance to produce, store and
distribute
 To over come this problem, fuel cells convert
readily available fuels into Hydrogen. This
process is preformed by a device called a
reformer.
Facts
 One gallon of gasoline burned in an internal
combustion engine releases twenty pounds of carbon
dioxide
 Fuel cells in vehicles can operate with efficiencies of
40-80% compared with 18% for "state-of-the-art"
spark ignition engines
 The first "commercial" use of fuel cells was by
NASA in the 1960s
 Companies are hoping to produce their first
commercial models of fuel cell cars from 20032005
General Motors
EV-1
The HydroGen 1
Ford
Converted Econo-line
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Focus
Ford’s Focus Package
Chrysler
necar 4
Toyota
FCHV
Honda
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FCXV3
BMW
5 Series
Volkswagen
Hymotion
What is a Reformer
 A reformer converts alcohol fuels into
hydrogen.
 Unfortunately, reformers are not very
efficient.
 They generate heat and produce
hydrogen and other unwanted gasses
Reference
Heating with Wood, DOE, 2000
U.S. Dept. Of Energy, 2000
www.iowastateuniv.edu
The Value of the Benefits of US Biomass Power, 1999