The Energy Blog

Duke Researchers Develop Ceramic Membrane that Permits Fuel Cells to Operate at Low Humidity and Higher Temperatures

Researchers at Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering have developed a membrane that allows fuel cells to operate at low humidity and theoretically at higher temperatures.

“The current gold standard membrane is a polymer that needs to be in a humid environment in order to function efficiently. If the polymer membrane dries out, its efficiency drops. We developed a ceramic membrane made of iron nanoparticles that works at much lower humidities. And because it is a ceramic, it should also tolerate higher temperatures.

“The efficiency of current membranes drops significantly at temperatures over 190 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the chemical reactions that create the electricity are more efficient at high temperatures, so it would be a big improvement for fuel cell technology to make this advance.”

Mark Wiesner, Ph.D., a Duke civil engineering professor

The membrane most commonly used today, known as Nafion, was discovered in the 1960s. As the temperature rises, the polymer becomes unstable and the membranes dehydrate, leading to a loss of performance.

In addition to its temperature and heat limitations, Nafion is also much more expensive to produce than the new membrane, Wiesner said, adding that membranes make up as much as 40 percent of the overall cost of fuel cells.

While I am not a big fan of fuel cells, especially for automotive applications, It is well to keep abreast of technological innovations, such as this one, which may make them more viable.

Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell Breakthrough?

Biopact also reported:

Scientists at the Kyushu Institute of Technology (KIT) propose using ethanol as a direct fuel in next-generation fuel cells. This would have multiple advantages over fuels more commonly associated with efficient fuels cells, like hydrogen or methanol.

The KIT researchers have found a way to boost the fuel cell performance while operating at room temperature by using oxidized nanoparticles as the anode catalyst in combination with a composite catalyst used for the cathode.

The researchers mixed the nanoparticles and the carbon-supported PtRu (PtRu/C) merely at the ratio of 1:1.

First applications will be to use the DEFC as a device to power cell phones, laptops and other electronic devices.  . . . more

This would offer the advantage of using our relatively small supplies of ethanol in a fuel cell that has two to three times the efficiency of the ICE. If this discovery would make possible the production of larger low cost fuel cells, my position on fuel cells would have to change, but don't hold your breath.

Microbial Fuel Cells

Based on a Biopact report:

Microbial fuel cells (MFC) took a step closer to commercial reality recently when MIT students showed off a MFC that efficiently converts cellulosic biomass into electricity and biological engineers at Oregon State University reported that they have designed an MFC that is capable of generating about 10 times more electricity than previously possible from an air cathode microbial fuel cell of the same size.

These and other breakthroughs have taken microbial fuel cells out of their experimental status and closer to beeing ready to be used in real world applications.

A MFC converts chemical energy, available in an organic substrate, directly into electricity. To achieve this, bacteria are used as a catalyst to convert substrate into electrons. In principle they can be fed virtually any type of biomass, from rotten fruit and cellulose to algae and mosquitos.

(above) Schematic of a MFC - Microbes in the anode compartment metabolize organic fuel (in this case glucose) and release electrons, ions and C02. In the cathode compartment electrons combine with ions and oxygen to form water and close the circuit. Credit: IntAct Labs

Ford to Use Fuel Cell to Reduce Exhast from Paint Fumes and Produce Electricity

In a rather unique application of fuel cells, Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) will use a Fuel Cell Energy(NasdaqGM: FCEL) fuel cell to reduce the paint fumes emanating from automotive painting operations at its Oakville, Ontario facility by converting the fumes into 300 kilowatts (kW) of green electricity.

The PRIME NEWSWIRE release goes on to say:

The Direct FuelCell(r) (DFC(r)) unit can transform the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that emanate from enamel base paints and clear coat finishes used in manufacturing into fuel used by the fuel cells.

"By using the end-products of enamel and clear coat operations, we are eliminating the exhaust of thousands of tons of nitrous and sulfur oxides as well as CO2 -- a major greenhouse gas,'' said Andrew Skok, Executive Director, Strategic Marketing for FuelCell Energy. ``As this application shows, the fuel flexibility of our DFC300MA opens up an entirely new, very large market for us.''

The DFC300MA unit is expected to be started up early in 2008 and over time, Ford and Detroit Edison, which jointly own the rights to the paint fume clean up and separation technology, could roll the system out to Ford's other plants, or license it to other manufacturers whose operations include similar uses of paint compounds.

The DFC power plant is being funded by Industry Canada, and the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade to assist in deploying alternative energy sources. The unit deployment in Oakville will be supported through the combined efforts of FuelCell Energy and its distribution partner, Enbridge, Inc. (NYSE:ENB ). Installation and integration of the power plant with Ford's manufacturing facility will be managed by Arencibia Associates of Coopersburg, PA.

Ships Becoming Largest Source of Emissions

According to Europa, in the EU ships are fast becoming the biggest source of air pollution.  Unless more action is taken they are set to emit more than all land sources combined by 2020.

A 2003 study found that large ships generate 30 percent of global nitrogen emissions and 16 percent of sulfur emissions from all petroleum sources. Despite the fact that ships are more energy efficient than other forms of commercial transportation, marine engines operate on extremely dirty fuels. Most large ships use the dirtiest and least expensive diesel available, bunker oil.

Shipping is a small contributor to the world total CO2 emissions (1.8% of world total CO2 emissions in 1996)

Greek Navy Launches Fuel Cell Powered Submarine

Air Products, in partnership with Hellas Air Pro Ltd., recently supplied a new state of the art submarine of the Hellenic Navy with hydrogen.

The HDW Class 214 submarine has a fuel cell-generated power supply, allowing it to operate entirely on hydrogen. The fuel cell, which produces electrical energy from oxygen and hydrogen, allows the new submarine to cruise under water for up to three weeks without resurfacing. Conventional diesel-electric submarines typically deplete their battery power after a few days cruising under water. In addition, the fuel cell makes no noise and produces no detectable exhaust heat, in turn making the submarine virtually undetectable.

This is the most advanced conventional submarine in the world and the Greek State was the first in the world to order it. The contract award provided for the building of the first submarine at HDW’s Kiel yard and for the building of the other three (3) submarines in Greece at HSY premises

Advances in SOFC Fuel Cell Sealing Technology

Dr. Ian Birkby, AZojomo, via Eureka Alert - Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) have attracted major interest from research and development communities as an alternative source of power, with commercial trials already under way. In these fuel cells electricity is generated via electro-chemical reactions using hydrogen based gas (? more often hydrocarbon gases such as natural gas) and oxygen as a fuel and oxidant, respectively.

Sealing these units is a critical technical issue that needs further work before they can be put into widespread commercial use. In particular the system chosen must exhibit good gas tightness, adhesion with adjoining components (electrolyte and connector), chemical compatibility, matching coefficient of thermal expansion and electrical insulation. . . . continued

Chevron, Fuel Cell Energy to Turn Wasetewater Sludge and Kitchen Grease into Renewable Power

Chevron Energy Solutions, a Chevron (NYSE: CVX) subsidiary, today announced that it has begun engineering and construction of a system at the City of Rialto’s (California) wastewater treatment facility that will transform wastewater sludge and kitchen grease from local restaurants into clean, renewable power.

The new system will provide a beneficial use for the thousands of gallons of fats, oils and grease (FOG) that are washed daily from restaurant grills and pans, which is collected by grease hauling companies. At the Rialto facility, a FOG-receiving station will provide an effective disposal alternative to landfills, where FOG is often disposed, creating methane - a greenhouse gas - as it decomposes, releasing it directly into the atmosphere. It also will provide a revenue stream to the city through “tipping fees” paid by grease haulers for each disposal.

Energy and Water from Beer Waste

On a somewhat lighter note, from Physorg.com, Australian beer maker Foster's is going to generate clean energy and clean water from brewery waste water by using a fuel cell in which bacteria consume the sugar, starch and alcohol in the waste. 

The fuel cell is expected to produce 2 kilowatts of power — enough to power a household — and the technology would eventually be applied in other breweries and wineries owned by Foster's. The cell should be operating at the brewery by September."Brewery waste water is a particularly good source because it is very biodegradable ... and is highly concentrated, which does help in improving the performance of the cell," said Prof. Jurg Keller, the university's wastewater expert.  .

The 660-gallon fuel cell will be 250 times bigger than a prototype that has been operating at Australia's University of Queensland laboratory for three months.

The experimental technology was unveiled Wednesday by scientists at the university, which was given a $115,000 state government grant to install the microbial fuel cell at the brewery.

Power Air Zinc Air Fuel Cells

Power Air Corporation's Zinc Air Fuel Cell technology offers an alternative to batteries, generators, and hydrogen fuel cells as it creates residual zinc oxide that, through electrolysis, can be recycled back into reusable zinc fuel.

Power Air Corporation (OTC: PWAC) (PAC), a clean energy company, Is developing a commercially viable Zinc-Air Fuel Cell (ZAFC) technology that generates reliable, environmentally sustainable, zero emission energy for portable, stationary, light mobility, and transportation applications.

Power Air’s better way replaces batteries and engines with fuel cells that can be quickly recharged by a simple exchange of electrolyte. PAC’s ZAFC technology is made using low cost materials and conventional manufacturing techniques. Products powered by PAC’s ZAFC have all the advantages of batteries and engines, without the disadvantages.

The ZAFC is a metal oxide fuel cell using relatively simple physical chemistry. It uses a combination of atmospheric oxygen and zinc pellets in a liquid alkaline electrolyte to generate electricity with by products of zinc oxide and potassium zincates.