massey university post-grad energy conference steve broome industrial research ltd 26 july 2006...
TRANSCRIPT
Massey University POST-GRAD Energy Conference Massey University POST-GRAD Energy Conference
Steve BroomeSteve Broome
Industrial Research LtdIndustrial Research Ltd
26 July 200626 July 2006
Alkaline Fuel Cell System Research
Alkaline Fuel Cell System Research
Contents of PresentationContents of Presentation
Ground RulesGround Rules About IRL and MeAbout IRL and Me Distributed Hydrogen EnergyDistributed Hydrogen Energy Alkaline Fuel CellsAlkaline Fuel Cells ElectrolysersElectrolysers Combined Power SystemsCombined Power Systems IRL’s Set-upIRL’s Set-up
About IRL and MeAbout IRL and Me
IRL ChristchurchIRL Christchurch– Industrial Research Ltd – Formerly the DSIR.Industrial Research Ltd – Formerly the DSIR.
– Chch site is full of research engineers.Chch site is full of research engineers.
– Wellington site is full of research scientists.Wellington site is full of research scientists.
MeMe– Chemical & Process Engineer from University of Canterbury.Chemical & Process Engineer from University of Canterbury.
– Masters with Fonterra and FRST – played with big toys.Masters with Fonterra and FRST – played with big toys.
– Spent two years in Timaru – the Ultimate O.E.!Spent two years in Timaru – the Ultimate O.E.!
Distributed Hydrogen EnergyDistributed Hydrogen Energy
Electrolyser
Electricity
Electricity
Reformer
Heat
Wind or wave power
Wood, coal or biomass
Ethanol or methanol
H2
H2
Alkaline Fuel Cell
Syngas
Methanol
H2Gasifier
How Alkaline Fuel Cells WorkHow Alkaline Fuel Cells Work
Exhaust air
Inlet H2Inlet air
Exhaust H2
30% KOH
ElectrolyteHeat
K+ OH-
Cathode Anode
Electricity
H2O
0.5 O2 + 2e- + H2O 2OH- H2 + 2OH- 2 H2O + 2e-
H2 + 0.5 O2 H2O + electricity + heat
N2
O2
Hercules and MinotaurIRL’s Experimental Alkaline Fuel Cells
Vapour separators before outlet
CO2 scrubberAir preheater & exhaust cooler
Baby cyclone for exhaust
Fuel Cell Stack
KOH Sump
Air inH2 in
Vapour separators before outlet
CO2 scrubberAir preheater & exhaust cooler
Vapour separator for exhaust
Fuel Cell Stack
KOH Sump
Air inH2 in
HerculesHercules DCI-1200 #004DCI-1200 #004
MinotaurMinotaur DCI-1200 #003DCI-1200 #003
Applications of AFCsApplications of AFCs
Space TravelSpace Travel– AFCs used on space shuttles since 1981.AFCs used on space shuttles since 1981.
– Developed by UTC Power.Developed by UTC Power.
– Carry 3x 12kW units.Carry 3x 12kW units.
– Use bottled HUse bottled H22 and O and O22..
– Over 90,000 hours of operation.Over 90,000 hours of operation.
– ““Over 70% efficient”Over 70% efficient”
Goal: Domestic Combined Heat & PowerGoal: Domestic Combined Heat & Power– Introduce whisper-quiet electricity and heat generator to NZ homes.Introduce whisper-quiet electricity and heat generator to NZ homes.
– Supply electricity to home or the grid.Supply electricity to home or the grid.
– Heating for domestic hot water,Heating for domestic hot water,
– Especially useful for remote areas & rural communities.Especially useful for remote areas & rural communities.
– Operating off conventional fuels & air – the challenge!Operating off conventional fuels & air – the challenge!
IRL Progress on AFCsIRL Progress on AFCs
PEM fuel cell (Proton Exchange Membrane)PEM fuel cell (Proton Exchange Membrane)– Testing of a ReliOn PEM fuel cell at US Antarctic Centre Testing of a ReliOn PEM fuel cell at US Antarctic Centre
during 2005-2006. during 2005-2006.
– Successful.Successful.
– Methanol Methanol Reformed to H Reformed to H22 Fed to fuel cell. Fed to fuel cell.
– Bottled HBottled H22 fed to fuel cell. fed to fuel cell.
Alkaline fuel cellAlkaline fuel cell– About to begin field trial of Zetek alkaline fuel cell at US About to begin field trial of Zetek alkaline fuel cell at US
Antarctic Centre.Antarctic Centre.
– Methanol Methanol Reformed to H Reformed to H22 Fed to fuel cell. Fed to fuel cell.
– Will build low-cost AFCs.Will build low-cost AFCs.
ElectrolysersElectrolysers
IRL Christchurch has one of these.IRL Christchurch has one of these. IRL Wellington is developing one of these.IRL Wellington is developing one of these.
Combined Cycle System– Totara Valley Hylink
Combined Cycle System– Totara Valley Hylink
– – Use wind energy to produce hydrogen in an electrolyser.Use wind energy to produce hydrogen in an electrolyser.
– – Hydrogen can be stored in a pipe and used on demand.Hydrogen can be stored in a pipe and used on demand.
– – It’s potentially cheaper to run a polymer pipe for hydrogen than an electrical cable.It’s potentially cheaper to run a polymer pipe for hydrogen than an electrical cable.
– – Experimental system has been set up in Christchurch.Experimental system has been set up in Christchurch.
– – A wind turbine has been installed at Totara Valley.A wind turbine has been installed at Totara Valley.
Fuel Cell ElectricityElectricity
H2
Electrolyser
O2
Totara Valley Pipe System – Christchurch style
Totara Valley Pipe System – Christchurch style
We have installed a medium density polymer pipe We have installed a medium density polymer pipe – Like the one planned for Totara Valley.Like the one planned for Totara Valley.
– 160 m long and 1 inch diameter.160 m long and 1 inch diameter.
– Box is filled with sand.Box is filled with sand.
– Holds hydrogen well at 4 bar gauge pressure.Holds hydrogen well at 4 bar gauge pressure.
– Electrolysed hydrogen stored in here.Electrolysed hydrogen stored in here.
– Run alkaline fuel cell off this hydrogen.Run alkaline fuel cell off this hydrogen.
– Peter Sudol working on this next week.Peter Sudol working on this next week.
Brainwave:Brainwave:
– Run HRun H22 and O and O22 pipes to power an alkaline fuel cell. pipes to power an alkaline fuel cell.
IRL’s Set-upIRL’s Set-up
Windmills Electrolyser
Bottled hydrogen
Methanol
Coal or biomass Syngas Hydrogen purifier
Alkaline Fuel Cell
Electricity & Heat
Reformer
H2
H2
H2 H2H2 Storage
SummarySummary
IRL is working on distributed hydrogen energy research and IRL is working on distributed hydrogen energy research and development.development.
Experiments and trials:Experiments and trials:– Alkaline fuel cells being tested.Alkaline fuel cells being tested.
– PEM electrolyser being powered off wind energy.PEM electrolyser being powered off wind energy.
– Alkaline electrolysers being developed by IRL.Alkaline electrolysers being developed by IRL.
– Electrolysed hydrogen being stored in a polymer pipe.Electrolysed hydrogen being stored in a polymer pipe.
– This is used to fuel an alkaline fuel cell.This is used to fuel an alkaline fuel cell.
Hylink will be installed at Totara Valley in 2006-2007.Hylink will be installed at Totara Valley in 2006-2007.