Issue 0701    

Content:

Market News:

Looking for hydrogen in space 

Texaco to develop fuel cell reformer for stationary applications

Sven Geitmann reports:

Higher temperature for low-temperature fuel cells

Hydrogen safer than gasoline

US Government slashes environmental budget

High temperature fuel cell for "Rhön-Hospital"

Record braking Opel

Nissan joins the race

Scania fuel cell bus

The Interview:

Event News:

Hydrogen Expo held unter the patronage of the German Environment Ministry

Free admission to the Hydrogen Expo seminar forum

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Intelligent Optical Systems (IOS) and Boeing scientists recently successfully demonstrated a hydrogen leak detection system during a Delta IV orbital rocket test at the NASA Stennis Space Center. It is the world's first fibre optic system to detect hydrogen leaks. The sensor is composed of a low-cost light source, standard optical fibre as used in telecommunications as the transmission medium, and optrodes bearing temperature sensitive indicators. According to Reuben Sandler, President and CEO of IOS, using optoelectronic sensors provides a number of advantages in comparison to employing electrochemical technology. Since optical sensors do not require power supply at the sensing point, there is no danger of faulty wiring causing a spark. Further, the sensors are immune to electromagnetic interference und can operate effectively in a wide array of media. Also, fibre optic has proven to be flexible and resistant to extreme temperature and a large number of caustic chemicals. Liquid hydrogen is used in almost all orbital rockets because it is highly efficient and has a relatively low weight. Therefore, NASA depends on reliable methods to detect leaks in cryogenic tanks and tubing systems.

The Houston Chronicle released news about a joint venture agreement between Texaco Energy Systems Inc. (TESI) and Reliant Power Systems (REPS) for the development of a TESI fuel reformer tailored to meet the demands of the RESP stationary PEM fuel cell system. The system is designed to deliver power to homes and businesses even during peak demand periods (a particularly sore point in the US, as we gather from coverage about power shortages in California). "This project is aimed at producing a cost-effective, highly efficient fuel reformer that is commercial and meets specific cost and performance standards," said Greg A. Romney, Vice President of Fuel Cells and Fuel Processing for TESI. "We were attracted to Reliant because of its substantial market presence and knowledge, and by the fuel cell's commercial, cost-effective design. And, Reliant chose us because of our expertise in fuel processing, our technology and commitment to produce a high quality product at a competitive price." TESI is developing a proprietary multi-fuel processor capable of converting commonly available fuels such as natural gas and liquefied petroleum gases into hydrogen, which is necessary to power the fuel cell. 

Sven Geitmann reports:

Higher temperature for low-temperature fuel cells

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells are generally considered to be the most viable approach for mobile applications. However, these membranes require humid operating conditions, which limit the working temperature to less than 100°C, while higher temperatures would lead to a lower sensibility towards the catalyst-toxic carbon monoxide. New research shows that solid acids such as CsHSO4 and Rb3H(SeO4)2 offer the advantage of anhydrous proton transport and high-temperature stability up to 250°C. This is the result of a study by Sossina M. Haile, which was published in the April edition of scientific magazine "nature". A cell composed of a CsHSO4 electrolyte membrane (about 1,5mm thick) may operate at 150 to 160°C and reach 1,11 V open circuit voltage and current densities of 44mAcm-2 at short circuit. The higher open circuit voltage compared to polymer-electrolyte fuel cells may lead to better overall system efficiencies. Further advantages include greater tolerance of the catalysts to carbon monoxide due to the raised temperature, and a reduction in control hardware. These results would constitute a leap in fuel cell technology research, provided they can be reproduced in other scenarios.

Hydrogen safer than gasoline

It is still commonly believed that hydrogen is a highly explosive substance. This prejudice is now proven wrong by a video demonstration with running commentary by Michael Swain, a professor at the University of Miami/USA. The demonstration is part of the annual hydrogen program review of the US Energy Department. "Fuel Leak Simulation" is one of two presentations by hydrogen safety expert Swain. It shows on a split-screen what might happen in case of a fuel leak in a vehicle (Geo Metro) which is operated on gasoline versus compressed gaseous hydrogen. During the test the gasoline car leaked five pints of fuel in 3½ minutes, the ignition occurring as soon as a combustible cloud was formed. The hydrogen system released 3,4 pounds of fuel in 100 seconds. This requires the malfunction of three safety means (fail of hydrogen sensor, flow sensing system and flow valve). The hydrogen flame went straight up in a slender cone shape from the trunk deck and began to peter out after a little more than 1,5 minutes. The burning stopped entirely after about 2 min 20 sec. The gasoline fire, which burned mostly underneath the car, kept going, and when the hydrogen fire went out the gasoline car exploded. It took 30 minutes to extinguish the fire. Swain explained there was a hydrocarbon gas/air mixture building up inside the car once the fire had started. The lower ignition level limit for hydrogen in air is 4%, which is significantly higher than the 1,5% for hydrocarbon gases in air, which means that gasoline vapor can be ignited easily. Swain concluded: "No car is perfectly safe, but hydrogen is safer than gasoline."

The new Bush administration seems to have very little interest in the environment and ecologic system. Having gone against the Kyoto protocol, now there is the next severe backlash in US environmental policy. The renewable energy budget for the fiscal year 2001 is to be slashed drastically by more than one third. This has an impact on funding for hydrogen and fuel cell projects, too. The new numbers were released by Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham. Funding for hydrogen research is down to $13,9 million compared to the former $26,9 million, a reduction of almost 50%. The total Renewable Energy Resources budget dropped from the expected $373,2 million to an actual $237,5 million, a decline of 36%. There is still a spark of hope for an upward correction of these figures in favour of hydrogen technology when possible amendments are up for discussion. In the meantime, the overall winner of this reorientation appears to be what is called "clean coal technology". It could be considered a small plus for the alternative energy sector that Bush announced tax credits for buyers of hybrid cars, which run on both gasoline and electricity, and of fuel cell vehicles. This might signal that after all the new president does not entirely abandon his predeccessor's policy of supporting hybrid cars and alternative fuel technologies.

A hospital supplied with energy and heat by a fuel cell is located in Bad Neustadt/Saale. MTU Friedrichshafen's HotModule began operation on May 7th 2001. This module is the second fuel cell of its kind for field tests by the subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler. The first module proved its suitability at the University of Bielefeld over the last one and a half years. This HotModule operated with natural gas, similar to the second one, and reached an electric efficiency of 47% (power 250kW el). The new module even reaches 50% (250kW el and 170kW therm). The thermal energy is hot air (400°C) used to produce high-pressure steam, which can for example be employed for sterilization and air conditioning. The module is a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) which works with a lithium-potassium-carbonate as electrolyte at 600°C. A third prototype of this kind will be tested at the end of the year at the Mercedes Benz plant in Alabama/USA. President and CEO Dr. Rolf A. Hanssen said that the usually high costs do not constitute a problem for the HotModule. Even today before serial production, this technology is cheap compared to other fuel cell systems. This is because of the use of nickel as catalyst instead of expensive metal like platinum. The field test phase will be finished in approximately three years. Then the company wants to offer the HotModule for a p price that will not only be ecologically but also economically attractive. MTU quotes costs of 1.000 to 1.200 Euros per kilowatt. 

Having put the Zafira "HydroGen1" to extensive four-week testing, Opel can now present a remarkable number of records. Opel's and General Motors' concept fuel cell vehicle underwent a marathon test program at the GM testing grounds in Arizona, U.S., establishing about a dozen best results under extreme temperature conditions. The record-breaking concept car is powered by a block of 200 fuel cells connected in series. The environmentally compatible powerplant is an in-house GAPC (Global Alternative Propulsion Center) development delivering up to 80 kW/109hp constant load or 120 kW/163 hp peak load. Hydrogen and oxygen react electrochemically within the unit to form water at a temperature of 80 degrees Celsius, and in doing so, depending upon load conditions, generate between 125 and 200 Volts of electrical energy. The direct current generated in this manner is converted by an electronic control element into alternating current (250 - 380 Volt) and fed to a 55 kW (75 PS) three-phase synchronous motor, which drives the front wheels of "HydroGen1". Because of the unit’s enormous tractive power (it can deliver a constant torque of 251 Newton meters from a standing start), the transmission no longer requires several gear ratios as on conventional vehicles. Instead a single-stage intermediate reduction gear unit is used, which together with the motor weighs no more than 68 kilograms. With this highly effective driveline, the 1575 kilogram "HydroGen1" reaches a top speed of 140 km/h. The hydrogen fuel on board the Zafira concept car is stored in liquid form at a temperature of minus 253 degrees Celsius in a so-called "Cryo tank". Up to 75 liters or five kilograms of hydrogen can be stored in this tank, which is almost one meter long and has a diameter of 400 millimeters. With this capacity, the tank, which is located under the rear-seat in front of the rear axle, provides an impressive operating range of 400 kilometers. The exhaust system emits nothing but steam. For more information and the Opel/ General Motors press release visit: www.hydrogen-expo.com. General Motors, U.S. also released news about a strategic partnership with General Hydrogen, Canada. The cooperation is laid out for 25 years and is aimed at accelerating the spread of a hydrogen infastructure and at speeding the introduction of fuel cell vehicles in the U.S., Europe and emerging economies. Key areas of the collaboration are hydrogen storage, fuel cell vehicle fueling systems, and advanced materials, among others. "General Hydrogen is an exceptional company with a tremendous management team and a very exciting future," said Larry Burns, GM Vice President for Research & Development. "This relationship brings together an impressive group of world leaders in the development of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies."

The "small" automobile manufacturers are rarely mentioned when it comes to research news about hydrogen driven vehicles. In the past we therefore heard little about these companies. But now Nissan made the headlines announcing its fuel cell vehicle (FCV) plans. In May, the Japanese company sent a fuel cell powered Xterra for tests on public roads to Sacramento, California in the U.S. The Xterra FCV is Nissan's first vehicle directly fueled by hydrogen. Previous tests were done with a methanol fuel cell. The new model is equipped with an additional lithium-ion-battery for braking energy recovery and storage and is powered by a magnet-synchronous motor. This makes it a hybrid car which can retrieve its energy from the fuel cell or from the battery. Serial production is anticipated not to start before 2005.

Swedish bus manufacturer Scania just introduced a new emission-free fuel cell city bus concept in London/England. The propulsion is a hybrid system with a battery and a fuel cell. The bus concept was developed as part of an EU research project (JOULE) and is designed for inner-city operation. The electric motor is powered by a fuel cell system with an integrated battery buffer (600V; 24V on-board power supply), which is capable to regenerate braking energy. The fuel (gaseous hydrogen) is stored under high pressure on the roof of the bus. Energy consumption is reduced by 60% compared to standard diesel engine busses. Among other things, this is achieved by the high efficiency of the fuel cell system (more than 50%). In addition, the noise and vibration level is extremely low (70dB). After finalizing of this project, the concept bus will undergo comprehensive testing as a basis to estimate the the new technology's development potential. 

Zapworld CEO Gary Starr recently announced plans for a complete restructuring of his company, which is to expand its core business from electric scooters to electric vehicles in general. The restructuring includes developing bycicles with supporting fuel cell propulsion. Starr is regarded as a worldwide authority for electric transport devices. He intends to have a fuel cell bicycle on the market by 2002.

US corporation International Fuel Cells announced its first delivery of a fuel cell power plant to Latin America. Three PC25 systems (phosphoric acid fuel cells, 200kW) will be run by regional utilities company Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL) in Paraná/Brazil. "These units will be the first commercial fuel cell systems to operate in Latin America," said IFC president William Miller.

ZeTek Power Plc., one of Europe’s largest fuel cell manufacturers, apparently plans to go public within the next 12 months. Chairman and CEO Nick Abson told news agency Reuters that ZeTek was was waiting for the market to stabilize before making its initial public offering. "Once the market has calmed down, as it is beginning to do now, we will quickly move to go public," Abson said. Rumors have it that ZeTek is looking at flotation within the next 12 month. The British company already has offices in the US, Russia, Germany, France, Netherlands. Corporate philosophy is quoted as being aimed at solving environmental pollution problems by producing commercial, zero-emission power products which are beneficial to mankind. ZeTek Power positions itself as the only European fuel cell manufacturer capable of fuel cell mass production.

The Interview:

The German Federal Environment Ministry and exhibition organizer Freesen & Partner GmbH just announced that Hydrogen Expo will be held under the patronage of the Ministry. Environment Minister Jürgen Trittin is going to host the opening ceremony of the most important event for the hydrogen and fuel cell industry on October 11, 2001. On the list of international guests invited for the ceremony is Prof. Klaus Töpfer of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Loyola de Palacio of the European Commission's General Directorate Transport and Energy. For more information about the opening ceremony visit: http://www.hydrogen-expo.com.

Free admission to the Hydrogen Expo seminar forum

The Hydrogen Expo seminar forum offers information on a wide range of issues relating to climate protection, hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The sessions which run from October 11 to 13, 2001 in the forum in hall 4, are free of charge for all visitors: After the opening ceremony on October 11, a representative from Mahler-AGS (a Messer Griesheim subsidiary company) offers a general introduction with his lecture on hydrogen technologies. The second day (Oct 12) starts with Prof. Dr. Carl-Jochen Winter's key note speech: "Paving the HYway. Hydrogen systems engineering: an early market segment". In his speech Prof. Winter raises questions such as energy conversion, safety, and visions for the energy industry. On October 13, Dr. Lars-Peter Thiesen starts with his presentation "Fuel cells: propulsion systems for the mobility of tomorrow". He talks about hydrogen as the appropriate alternative fuel to reduce CO2 emissions, about how the technology works and where it stands in mobile applications, and about the timeframe for commercialization. The seminar forum schedule with topics and speakers can be viewed at: www.h2expo.com

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Dear Readers: Because of the summer break this is the two-in-one newsletter for June and July. The next issue will be sent out at the beginning of August.