THE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY BLOG



Not only will atomic power be released, but someday we will harness the rise and fall of the tides and imprison the rays of the sun. Thomas A. Edison
FUEL CELL, GEO-THERMAL, HYDRO-ELECTRIC, SOLAR, WIND... OUR PROSPERITY AND INDEPENDENCE DEPEND UPON OUR ABILITY AND WILLINGNESS TO REPLACE FOSSIL FUELS WITH CLEAN, RENEWABLE SOURCES OF ENERGY.



Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Is the fuel cell finally coming of age?


As I pointed out to my class last night, little has changed with the viability of a hydrogen powered fuel cell since its inception in 1839 by Welsh lawyer Sir William Grove. Yes, fuel cells themselves have changed quite a bit. Different materials, different dielectrics, different operating temperatures... However, the fundamental issues of producing hydrogen quickly, efficiently, and affordably have long eluded the most ardent supporters of the long-awaited “hydrogen economy.”

There have been some strides in the area of hydrogen storage. Most take up too much space, are too heavy, or depend upon exotic cryogenic processes that make the cost of hydrogen skyrocket. Additionally, the true sources of power that are used to produce our hydrogen generate at least as much pollution as the systems that hydrogen would attempt to replace.

However, where there is a will there is a way. I began my course with a video demonstration of a process discovered in 1967 by Professor Jerry Woodall of Purdue University. Prof. Woodall was a researcher for IBM at the time. The Woodall process involved melting gallium (it melts at 87 degrees F.) and dissolving aluminum pellets to form a liquid alloy. When water is introduced to this mixture, oxygen quickly bonds with the aluminum, freeing hydrogen gas and forming aluminum oxide (alumina). The gallium is reusable, requiring the replenishment of aluminum and water to resume the process. Science Daily reported this development on August 29, 2007. (
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070827174310.htm)

Now, a new company, AlumiFuel Power, Inc. of Philadelphia has developed a commercially viable hydrogen generator using a mixture of powdered aluminum and proprietary catalysts to perform the same basic function. Applications have been developed for stationary fuel cell systems, unmanned underwater vehicles, and military applications.

Key to the system is the ability to contain the reactants in an easily removed canister about the size of a can of Arizona Iced Tea. Should such a generator be integrated into a fuel cell vehicle, one could “gas-up” the family car by pulling up next to a vending machine!

You can check out this up and coming development at
http://www.alumifuelpowerinc.com/.

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