The Future of Hydrogen Fuel Cells The present global economy is nearly entirely dependent on petroleum and crude oil imports from the Middle East. Where the current situation stands now, oil prices will continue to skyrocket and the environmental impact will continue becoming greater if no form of alternative energy is implemented to a greater extent within the coming years. However, to this effect, the industrial cost of producing such forms of alternative energy is in itself primarily composed of coal and petroleum. In this light, I will investigate the practicality of hydrogen fuel cells based upon hydrogen consumption and exploitation. Hydrogen holds enormous promise for the future regarding alternative energy sources. To this point, its ability to be used in cars, weapons, and as miniature batteries has been demonstrated by many companies. However, if this is the case, hydrogen should be the leading supplier of power around the world. What prevents it from being so? With alternate energy sources becoming more and more necessary and desirable, not only does the future hold promise for a cleaner environment, but many companies and entrepreneurs have the potential to make billions of dollars should hydrogen, nuclear, or some other alternative source of energy become implemented worldwide. Let it first be understood the underlying principles of hydrogen power production in a fuel cell. There exist many hydrogen fuel cells being developed by multiple companies worldwide; however, the fuel cell showing the most promise as a future source of alternative power is the Polymer Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) and is widely regarded as a possible replacement for diesel and petroleum cars (http://www.fctec.com/fctec_types_pem... ... middle of paper ... ...n production and subsequently, on the market. Thus, until the industrial cost for hydrogen fuel cells is reduced and its practicality increased, this renewable and abundant source of energy will remain on the smaller scale. Works Cited • University of California, Irvine, "NFCRC Tutorial: Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell." NFCRC. 30 Jul 2008 . • Rayment, Chris. "Introduction of Fuel Cell Technology." University of Notre Dame. 2 May 2003. University of Notre Dame. 30 Jul 2008 . • "Hydrogen Fuel Cell." Georgia State University. Georgia State University. 30 Jul 2008 http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/thermo/electrol.html#c2. • "How Fuel Cells Work." HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks.com. 30 Jul 2008 .
ED is an electrical system utilizing ion exchange membranes. Ion exchange membranes have permselectivity similar to RO and NF membranes [6]. It is very important to understand the mechanism of permselectivity of ion exchange membranes to design ED system. The transport number ratio between target ion and standard ion has been treated to discuss the permselectivity of ion exchange membrane in ED system [7]. Recently, it was found that the ratio of transport number of several anions to chloride ion changed with the progress of electrodialysis. In this paper, a mechanism of permselectivity of ions in the electrodialysis system is theoretically discussed to make clear the reason why the transport number ratio changes with the progress of deionization in electodialysis process. In addition, the simple way to simulate ED system is proposed.
Fuel cells could create new markets for steel, electronics, electrical and control industries and other equipment suppliers. They could provide tens of thousands of high-quality jobs and reduce trade deficits.
B: Economic , Planning & Policy, 2(3), 287-295. Eisenstien, P. (2000). Fuel cells get h2
...ination, hydrogen fuel and solar energy (World Economic Forum 2014). These are technologies that closely related to environmental and recourse preservation, which help the society switch to use renewable energy.
Fuel alternatives for the future are very important because, we need resources for life. We won’t have fossil fuels forever. It is important to start now. If we did not have any fuel alternatives how would the world be?
Hart, David. " Hydrogen: A Truly Sustainable Transport Fuel?" Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 1.3 (2003): 138-45. Web. Kühne, Reinhart. "
In the search for alternatives to fossil fuels, scientists and policy makers have focused on three options: nuclear power, energy from biomass; and a combination of wind, water, and solar power. Nuclear power, however, is much more costly and runs the risk of having it fall into the wrong hands where it could be turned into a weapon of mass destruction. The third option entails wind turbines, photovoltaic power plants and rooftop systems, concentrated solar thermal power plants,...
In chapter thirteen of our book, Environment by Raven and Berg, it shows us just how important renewable energy sources are. Currently the United States of America thrives on the use of fossil fuels and nuclear power. The main problems with these types of fuel are that they are both limited and can be extremely harmful to our environment. They cause global warming, air pollution, acid rain, and oil spills (Environment), and not only that, but in the grand scheme of things, these sources really aren’t even that cheap of a fuel source. There are many alternatives to these all but outdated fuel sources.
Recent years have shown an increasingly large need for a practical renewable energy source for such reasons as diminishing fossil fuels and increases in greenhouse gasses. Hydrogen appears to be a way out of this gasoline-dug hole, or at least, a way out in the future. Hydrogen fuel cell cars are being engineered as we speak as the technologies to refuel them cleanly are being proposed. Unfortunately, most of the technologies associated with hydrogen are still in the prototype/pre-production stages and require better enhancements before becoming mainstream. This paper assesses the practicality of hydrogen power in cars both now and in the future while explicating the actual process of how a hydrogen fuel cell works.
Hydrogen would be one of the easiest sources of renewable energy to incorporate into our current energy infrastructure. Since hydrogen is a gas of normal temperature, it is possible to have it be used as a fuel in vehicles similar to current ones. For example, Hydrogen could be introduced into the vehicle as a gas, stored...
It a cell that takes Hydrogen, Oxygen and carbon dioxide as feed and produces water. It operates at extremely high temperature (between 6000C – 7000C). Molten Carbonate fuel cells are usually %45 to %55 efficient. That is due to heat lost from the chemical reaction (not all of the energy converts to electrical energy. This report will demonstrate the components of molten carbonate Fuel cell, what there mode are of and how they function.
The world that we live into today affords us the expectation that the flip a switch will turn the lights on. As populations increase and developing nations undergo dramatic economic growth, this energy demand will only continue to grow. The International Energy Agency (IEA) believes that “the world’s energy needs could be 50% higher in 2030 than they are today” (ElBaradei). Given this projected growth, it is necessary for world leaders must take action to secure the energy supply. Meaning that world leaders need to start seriously considering an alternative to non-renewable energy sources. “In 2012, the United States generated about 4,054 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. About 68% of the electricity generated was from fossil fuel (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), with 37% attributed from coal” (U.S. Energy Information Administration). The fossil fuels that are used to supply over half of our country’s energy are in finite supply and are increasing in price to astronomical heights.
For years man has relied on energy in order to be successful in life. The industrial revolution relied on coal for the new inventions brought into the world. Life as has never been the same since then. However since that time, there has been little done to improve on energy efficiency and humans still primarily rely on fossil fuels for energy. For over a hundred years the Earth has become more polluted and dirtier than ever before. Now, with new, innovative technology there is an opportunity to change that and to rely on renewable, cleaner sources of energy. The main source of energy for the world should be alternative energy instead of energy from fossil fuels.
Using fossil fuels such as coal and oil is inefficient, dangerous, and otherwise a process that is known to eventually fail as a long lasting energy source. Yet, there is hope for the future of energy, this new hope has many shapes and forms, but requires a chance to be fully implemented in our everyday life. Such energy sources like solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, and hydro power are the key to our future. These energy sources are proven to be long lasting, safe, more reliable, and the next innovation. In short, all Americans should switch to renewable energy, resulting in a safer and more efficient world.