Fuel Cells

  Fuel Cells 

   Engineers and manufacturers create fuel cells. Fuel cells are used to provide a more environmentally safe and cost effective way of powering electrical equipment than conventional batteries. In the specific case of fork lifts, fuel cells have 75% of the run time of a battery but are much quicker to fuel up then to change the batteries every few hours.  They also save space and reduce hazards at facilities that rely on fork lifts.Structure and Function:

  The membrane electrode assembly is made of 3 different layers. The MEA is sandwiched between two bipolar plates that conduct electricity between the cells and provide the cell with a strong structure. The MEA is made up of membrane, catalyst and gas diffusion layers. For the catalyst [D1] layer, platinum is applied across the polymer electrolyte membrane to facilitate the chemical reactions.  The platinum catalyst allows the hydrogen to be split into electrons and protons. The protons go through the MEA while the electrons go through a circuit where they are harnessed to do electrical work. The gas diffusion layers sit outside of the catalyst layer and  facilitate the removal of hat and water.

Fueling Stations:

-

- Most hydrogen in US comes from reforming natural gas

- Uses a small valve

- If pressure goes higher than 6600 psi, it needs pressure relief

- Made larger so they are easier to service

- Takes 2 minutes to refuel compared to 15 minutes to switch batteries

Skid

-Twenty feet skid outside at customer site -Tanks take liquid hydrogen out and compress it -All of the valving connects the tubes to the dispenser -Starts with lowest pressure first

Plastic water tank:

-Gets heavier as it runs

     -Hydrogen from tank and air from atmosphere, gains 10 lbs of oxygen while it runs

- Combines to make water

Maintenance:

- Every 6 months to a year

- Change the coolant every 10,000 operating hours

- Fix hydrogen leaks

Design verification testing

    -30*C to 40*C

    -22*F to 100*F

    -Fuel cells need to be heavy to help stabilize fork lifts (solid steel added)

Terms  :

Membrane electrode assembly

Bipolar plates

Lithium ion battery

Skid

Stacks

Fuel cells

Catalyst

Regulator

Coolant

Dispenser

Compresses

Valves

Electrolyzer

Hydroelectric

Voltage

Membrane

Diffusion

Connections:

Dr. Karatkar- lithium ion batteries

Dr. Katz- alternative energy

Dr. Borton- alternative energy

Dr. Ullal/ Palermo- polymers

Joe Imbrogno- made a membrane

Dr. Wei - conduction

Dr. Koratkar- lithium ion battery

Dr. Silva- chemical processes

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