Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutElectric Auto Corporation September 25, 2000September 25,2000 CMI porO)EGIEIWE LMMr.D.Randy Simmons Ay ne.IUDirectorOCTbzrough Alaska Energy Authority Alaska Industrial 480 W Tudor Rd SvelopmenandExportAuthor;Anchorage,AK 99503-6690 thority Dear Mr.Simmons: You may be interested to learn that we have developed a radically new type of Alkaline Fuel Cell ("Land-AFC”),an adaptation of the Alkaline Fuel Cell developed by General Electric and International Fuel Cells for the NASA Space Program ("Space-AFC”). This new fuel cell can be used to power electric vehicles and for on-site power in homes, farms,commercial and industrial establishments.It can eliminate a lot of problems you may be facing and add profits to your bottom line,as you will see below. The Space-AFC used by NASA is not practical for use on land as it contains asbestos separators,soaked with potassium hydroxide,which dries out after a time,causing the fuel cell to stop functioning.Also,the Space-AFC contains a large amount of platinum catalyst,which,together with other high cost elements,results in a fuel cell cost of $600,000 a kilowatt,much too high for commercial use. For this reason,Ballard,International Fuel Cells,Plug Power,H-Power and others have set out to develop a fuel cell which contains a plastic separator called a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM),soaked with sulfuric acid,which can be kept moist through the use of a moisturizing machine,and which also requires an air compressor to drive excess water out of the fuel cell. Dr.Karl Kordesch,one of the early pioneers in fuel cell development,had a better idea. In his opinion,the Space-AFC was the best candidate for use on land because it is more efficient and has a higher voltage than the PEM fuel cell.That is why NASA has used the Space-AFC for over 40 years.The European and Russian Space Programs also used the Space-AFC.However,Dr.Kordesch had to overcome the problem of the asbestos separator,which dries out,and the high catalyst loading.He found a way to do this. The asbestos separator was taken out of the fuel cell altogether and replaced with a circulating,liquid potassium hydroxide (KOH).And new electrodes were developed which use a very small amount of catalyst (only 20%of the catalyst used in the PEM fuel cell). 4747 North Ocean Drive ¢Suite 223 «Fort Lauderdale,Florida 33308 Tel.954/785-2228 ©954/783-7050 ¢Fax 954/785-0656 e-mail:electricauto @worldnet.att.net *Web address:http:/Awww.electricauto.com Yor -Bwee gave thes >me Re).Arter a a"gesvsefTYA: #*\L su in RAD Ait bys yas,ettuh not gas,or H,or Niby -wet Ayes ef *Wwe ve yo pts bed ,b- yuuite hem to.Contre orsteteheteAF) pry otter ders ©Do yerweetteyvespene-(UI doctCoyordemhe The result is a new,Land-AFC which we call the Apollo™Fuel Cell because it is an adaptation of the Space-AFC which took our Astronauts to the moon in the Apollo SpaceProgram.This new,Apollo™Fuel Cell is superior to the PEM Fuel Cell in many ways: The Apollo™Fuel Cell has a higher voltage and greater efficiency.There is no need to use a moisturizing machine or an air compressor (both of these machines take a lot of energy out of the PEM fuel cell,reducing its efficiency).Lesscatalystisused.And a very important point --the Apollo/™Fuel Cell can be shut down for maintenance when not in use.When it is shut down,the potassium hydroxide automatically drains out of the fuel cell into a holding tank.The fuel cell becomes inactive which is a safety factor,especially at night.PEM and Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFC)can only be shut down by following| complicated and expensive procedures (for all practical purposes,they cannot be shut down). We have found that shutting down the Apollo™Fuel Cell rejuvenates the catalysts and extends the life of the fuel cell.(Based on our tests,we areconfidentthattheApollo™Fuel Cell has a life of over 4,000 hours,required for vehicle use,and 40,000 hours required for on-site generation). And perhaps most important of all,our cost studies have shown that the Apollo™ Fuel Cell can be produced for $200 to $300 per kW with accessories ($100 to $150 without accessories),as compared to $1,000 to $1,500 per kW for the PEM Fuel Cell,with accessories (a target price that Ballard and International!Fuel Cells hope to achieve in a few years from now). Our fuel cell project has been under development since 1997 at the Technical University of Graz in Austria,directed by Dr.Kordesch who heads up a team of scientists andengineersinthiswork.The first Apollo™Fuel Cell was shown at the International Fuel Cell Symposium in Palm Springs,California in 1998.That working prototype is now in our Ft.Lauderdale laboratory. The Austrian Fuel Cell Project,together with a companion Ammonia Cracker Project, have been completed for all practical purposes,and will be transferred to Ft.Lauderdale this year.We are now looking for a 50,000 square-foot building in which to set up a Tech Center which will house laboratories,shops,a pilot fuel cell plant and a pilot battery plant for production of our Lead Cobalt Battery which has been manufactured by our licensor,Electric Fuel Propulsion Corporation,since 1966 and used in over 100 electric vehicles,most of which were sold to electric utility companies.(Our new,Fifth Generation Lead Cobalt Battery is designed to compete with the Nickel-Metal-Hydride Battery in specific energy and power,but at ten-percent of the cost). The new Tech Center will have an electric vehicle prototype shop where certain types of electric vehicles will be retrofitted with our new fuel cell and battery.These will be primarily GM S-10 Pickup Trucks,Ford Ranger Pickup Trucks and Chrysler EPIC Vansequippedwithlead-acid batteries,with a range of around 50 miles and a recharge time of8-hours.These vehicles have been purchased by electric utility companies under the 2 requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 1992.When they are retrofitted with our new battery and fuel cell,they will have full performance,equivalent to performance with a gasoline engine,but with zero pollution. A very interesting and unexpected thing has turned up in connection with the development of the new fuel cell and ammonia cracker.Although our fuel cell will operate on hydrogen derived from the usual sources -gaseous hydrogen in cylinders or tanks,hydrogen derived from methanol,ethanol or gasoline through reformers,or from metal hydrides,etc.--we have discovered that our fuel cell will work on hydrogen derived from ammonia through a cracker.PEM Fuel Cells and Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells cannot use hydrogen derived this way as the hydrogen generated by the ammonia cracker contains a trace of ammonia gas.This does not hurt the Alkaline Fuel Cell but would kill the PEM and Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells which cannot tolerate the slightest trace of ammonia. The bottom line to this unexpected devclopment is that every farmer of any size who has ammonia on hand for fertilizer is a potential producer of hydrogen.All the farmer needs is our Ammonia Cracker and presto,--he has hydrogen!If the farmer canhaveaHydrogenPlant,then he can have Apollo™Fuel Cells for on-site power and for operating tractors,trucks,buses,vans and cars. As 24 states have been deregulated,and eventually all will be,]am sure you are thinking of the possibility for a future On Site Power program in the area you serve.Would it be better to build new megawatt power plants or peak power turbine plants,--or sell,lease,install and service millions of on-site Apollo™Power Plants which would bepurchasedbyhomeownersandfarmers?The logical distributor of Apollo™Power Plants is the electric utility company. An Apollo™Power Plant consists of an Apollo™Fuel Cell,Lead Cobalt Battery,EAC Solar Cell,DC to AC Inverter,Ammonia Cracker and Ammonia Tank (for the farmers), or Reformer for natural gas,and a Microprocessor.Excess energy could be sold back to you.Of course,codes and standards must be set up,but this will happen as a matter of course. A demonstration of our latest generation Apollo™Fuel Cell and Ammonia Cracker will be made at the 2000 Fuel Cell Seminar to be held at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland,Oregon from October 30 to November 2,2000.We are planning a Press Conference there on October 30 at 2:00 p.m.and you are invited to attend.Dr.Kordesch and some of our Austrian engineers will be there. Another fuel cell conference,Fuel Cell 2,000,will be held on 9/26-27,2000 at the Crown Plaza Hotel,Philadelphia,Pa.At this conference,Mr.Tim Armstrong of the U.S.Department of Energy,will give a talk on the advantages of alkaline fuel cells, which have been largely overlooked in this country.Enclosed is a copy of the brochure on this conference.ua I believe what I have discussed above can result in increased sales and lower costs for your company.Therefore,I would like to invite your participation with us in one or more of the following ways: 1.A Joint Development and Demonstration Project for installing the Apollo'™Power Plant for on-site power in several homes and farms in your area. 2.An Electric Vehicle Retrofitting Program for replacing lead-acid batteries in yourfleetofelectricvehicleswithourlatestgenerationLeadCobaltBatteryandApollo™ Fuel Cell. Please let me know where your interest may lie by filling out the enclosed Questionnaire and returning to me by FAX.__I will then send you more information or will phone you or someone you may designate to discuss this opportunity. Incidentally,if you ever find yourself in the vicinity of Fort Lauderdale,Florida,dropbyourofficeandlaboratorytoseeaworkingmodeloftheApollo™Fuel Cell and have a ride in the Silver Volt Electric Car. Best regards. Yours very sincerely, ELECTRIC AUTO CORPORATION Robert Raymond Aronsson,Chairman RRA/c Encls. PS:Please check our new Web Site:www.electricauto.com Click on:Part 10,Fuel Cell Program Part 13,Customers (Other Customers) Part 14,Laboratory &Road Tests Part 15,Electric Vehicle Performance &Battery Cost Comparisons Part 16,Selected Technical Papers Part 23,Previous and Future Models Part 24,Patents and Trade Marks THREE PIONEERS BRING NEW ENERGY PRODUCTS TO MARKET Robert Raymond Aronsson,Dr.Karl Kordesch and Dr.T.Nejat Veziroglu,officers ofElectricAutoCorporation,whose work in advanced energy products started in the 1950s, have joined forces to bring to the 21"Century a variety of new Energy Products which will forever change the shape of modern life. The Energy Products: Tri-Polar Lead-Cobalt Batteries which are expected to rival Nickel-Metal-Hydride Batteries in performance at one-tenth the cost. Apollo™Fuel Cells with significant cost and performance advantages over PEM Fuel Cells,based on NASA's successful use of Alkaline Fuel Cells in Space for over 40 years. Ammonia Cracker which produces hydrogen from ammonia utilizing the existing ammonia world-wide infrastructure (liquid ammonia transported by pipelines,rail, highway,barge and ship to farming areas all over the world). Advanced Electric Vehicle designs,including an Air-Supported Electric Vehicle which can operate over land and water,utilizing the above Energy Products. The Pioneers: Robert Raymond Aronsson,with 27 patents on batteries,electric vehicles and electric propulsion system components,was the first person in the United States (after World War ID)to successfully produce electric vehicles on a commercial basis,starting in 1967,for sale to electric utility companies in the U.S.A.and abroad,and to a limousine service company in Beverly Hills,California.Lead Cobalt Batteries won the two cross country races between MIT and CalTech in 1968 and 1970.He has owned and operated battery plants in:Puerto Rico;New Orleans,Louisiana;Detroit (Troy),Michigan;Korea and China.The Fifth Generation Lead Cobalt Battery is planned for production by Electric Auto Corporation. Dr.Karl Kordesch,with 150 patents on fuel cells and batteries,was the first person in the world to build a Fuel Cell /Battery Hybrid Electric Car (in 1970)which was driven by him,as his only means of transportation,on city streets and highways for over 3-years in Ohio.He invented the carbon composite fuel cell electrode which was used by Union Carbide to build (in 1966)a 150 kW Alkaline Fuel Cell for the General Motors "Electrovan”,and a 50 kW Alkaline Fuel Cell for Ford.He has developed the new Apollo™Alkaline Fuel Cell,a new Ammonia based Propulsion Fuel and an Ammonia Cracker which are planned for production by Electric Auto Corporation. Dr.T.Nejat Veziroglu,a hydrogen pioneer and professor at the University of Miami since 1965,is Executive Director of the Clean Energy Research Institute and editor-in-chief of the monthly scientific journals,International Journal of Hydrogen Energy and International Journal of Energy Environment Economics He is the author of some 200 scientific reports and papers and has been an invited lecturer on energy research to many countries.He is a candidate for the Nobel Prize in Economics for Envisioning the Hydrogen Economy and for Striving Towards its Realization.He is Director of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research of Electric Auto Corporation. QUESTIONNAIRE FAX 954 785 0656 To:|Mr.Robert Raymond Aronsson Electric Auto Corporation 4747 North Ocean Drive Ft.Lauderdale,Florida 33308 Please check _We are interested in learning more about the Joint Development and Demonstration Project. _We are interested in the Electric Vehicle Retrofitting Program withApollo™Fuel Cells combined with Lead Cobalt Batteries.Our electric vehicle fleet consist of the following: GM S-10 Pickup Trucks ___(quantity) Ford Ranger Pickup Trucks ___(quantity) Chrysler EPIC Vans ____(quantity) Other:(quantity) Other:(quantity) Other:(quantity) Please phone (Mr.)(Ms.) at telephone number:between the hours of and to discuss the above matters. (Name of your Company) by: FAST CHARGE RECEPTACLE 400 AMPS DUAL HALOGEN HEAD-LIGHTS -AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION .POWER WINDOWS .POWEK SEATCONTROLSYSTEMFORBATTERY BATTERY.SEALED,FAST CHARGE CONTROLLER FOR ELECTRIC:MOTOR POWER BRAKES .POWER STEERING .ELECTRIC MOTOR 144 KW,240 VOLTS AIR CONDITIONING 0.AM/FM STEREO RADIO WITH CD PLAYERSUShed -PROPULSION FUEL TANK .CHARGER,ON-BOARD,110/240 VAC »PROPULSION FUEL CELL .CHARGER RECEPTACLE,110/240 VAC .FUEL CELL COVER .COLD-WEATHER HEATER )PLASTIC BUMPERS WITH STEEL BACKING TED AMMON CKER LEAD COBALT BATTERY ELECTRIC AUTO CORPORATION EAC FUEL CELL LABORATORY Fort Lauderdale,Florida,USA ROBERT RAYMOND ARONSSON with hand on APOLLO™FUEL CELL which is lighting two lamps.This Fuel Cell will light up a 3-bedroom home. 4747 North Ocean Drive «Suite 223 «Fort Lauderdale,Florida 33308 Tel.954/785-2228 »*954/783-7050 *Fax 954/785-0656 e-mail:electricauto@worldnet.att.net *Web address:hitp//www.electricauto.com APOLLO FUEL CELL in EAC Fuel Cell Laboratory,Florida ss -SE wee agic32-At/- APOLLO™FUEL CELL fed by a tank of Hydrogen. Air is taken in through a tube (right,front corner) and passes through white soda lime (also in right, front corner).The soda lime acts as an air cleaner, extracting carbon dioxide from the air. Noisy,power consuming air compressors,humidifiers, and other accessory equipment are not required forApollo™Fuel Cells.They are necessary for PEMFuelCellswhichoperateover50°C. At the right,rear corner,is a tank of potassium hydroxide (KOH)which is circulated through the fuel cell stack continuously as part of the thermal management system. When the fuel cell is shut down,the KOH drains back into the tank. It is very advantageous,for a number of reasons,to be abletoshutdownafuelcell.Shutting down the Apollo™Fuel Cell on an intermittent basis,when power is not needed, extends the life of its electrodes,improves safety,especially at night,and allows for maintenance.PEM Fuel Cells can be shut down but care must be taken to keep the membranes moist.If they are allowed to dry out,a humidification process must be started to re-wet the membranes. High temperature fuel cells (Phosphoric Acid,Liquid Molten Carbonate and Solid Oxide)are difficult and costly to shut down. ELECTRIC AUTO CORPORATION EAC ON-SITE POWER SYSTEM FOR 3-BEDROOM HOME NNEpsc”pune SOLAR CELL :MeFRieGedRetasHESSasFUEL CELL INSTALLED APOLLO™POWER PLANT Apollo™Fuel Cell --Lead Cobalt Battery --Solar Cell on Roof --Cracker for Propulsion Fuel --(or Reformer for Natural Gas)--DC to AC Inverter 4747 North Ocean Drive «Suite 223 «Fort Lauderdale,Florida 33308 Tel.954/785-2228 ©954/783-7050 «Fax 954/785-0656 e-mail:electricauto@worldnet.att.net ©Web address:http//www.electricauto.com ie Enea Baas:eal if i: +iS 'Ue. Sent haa is suite oon HENRY _LAUVE,sePHaANeaene0. FAST CHARGE RECEPTACLE 400 AMPS DUAL HALOGEN HEAD-LIGHTS CONTROL SYSTEM FOR BATTERY BATTERY,SEALED,FAST CHARGE CONTROLLER FOR ELECTRIC MOTOR POWER BRAKES POWER STEERING ELECTRIC MOTOR 144 KW,240 VOLTS AIR CONDITIONING AM/FM STEREO RADIO WITH CD PLAYER It,AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 12,POWER WINDOWS 13.POWER SEAT 14,PROPULSION FUEL TANK 15.CHARGER,ON-BOARD,110/240 VAC 16.PROPULSION FUEL CELL 17,CHARGER RECEPTACLE,110/240 VAC 18.FUEL CELL COVER 19,COLD-WEATHER HEATER 20,PLASTIC BUMPERS WITH STEEL BACKING ELECTRIC AUTO CORPORATION Dr.T.Nejat Veziroglu with the Silver Volt Electric Car a, aA f Professor Veziroglu is Vice President of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research of Electric Auto Corporation and the Director of the Clean Energy Research Institute of the University of Miami,Florida.He is also Editor-in-Chief of the monthly scientific journal,International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. He has been nominated for the Nobel Prize in Economics for Envisioning the Hydrogen Economy and for Striving Towards its Realization. 4747 North Ocean Drive ¢Suite 223 ¢Fort Lauderdale,Florida 33308 Tel.954/785-2228 ©954/783-7050 *Fax 954/785-0656 e-mail:electricauto@worldnet.att.net_*Web address:http//www.electricauto.com AMMONIA IS NOT FOR PEM FUEL CELLS Can PEM fuel cells derive hydrogen from ammonia?The answer is no. When ammonia is introduced into a low cost Cracker operating at 450 to 500°C, hydrogen gas and a small amount of ammonia gas goes from the Cracker to the Fuel Cell.The Alkaline Fuei Cell can tolerate the ammonia gas.The PEM cannot. In order to climinate residual ammonia gas in the Cracker (so that a PEM fuel cell could take advantage of the use of ammonia),a different kind of Cracker (and averyexpensiveone!)would have to be built which would operate at 900-1000°C. This would take almost all of the ammonia gas out of the Cracker.However,a trace of ammonia would still be there which would have to be dealt with.IF ANY AMMONIA GAS,NO MATTER HOW SMALL,ENTERS THE PEM FUEL CELL,IT IS DEAD. Therefore,for all practical purposes,PEM fuel cells cannot operate on hydrogen derived from ammonia through a Cracker. Bottom line.We have a big advantage over PEM with farmers and others who already have ammonia on hand and know bow to use it.They can use our Apollo Fuel Cell,but cannot use PEM fuel cells. APOLLO™FUEL CELLS FOR THE FARM | Thousands of farms throughout rural America have large tanks of liquid ammonia on the property.This ammonia is used for fertilizing their land. Now there is a second use for ammonia.Ammonia can easily be used to produce hydrogen,-and hydrogen can be used to operate Apollo™(Alkaline)Fuel Cells.Fuel Cells can provide lighting,heating,cooling,transportation and refrigeration for the farm. How can ammonia be used to produce hydrogen?A simple device developed by Electric Auto Corporation (EAC)called an Ammonia Cracker is the answer.When ammonia is fed into the Cracker,hydrogen is produced which is fed into the Fuel Cell.The Fuel Cell produces electricity which can be used for lighting,heating,cooling and running all the electrical appliances and electric equipment on the farm.It also can be used for electric vehicles on and off the farm. A small tank of ammonia can be installed in a vehicle -car,truck,van,bus or tractor -which,together with the Cracker,can supply hydrogen to an Apollo™Fuel Cell on-board the vehicle. The Fuel Cell will supply electric power to operate the electric motor in the vehicle and keep thebatteriescharged.A vehicle with a tank of ammonia,a Cracker and an Apollo™Fuel Cell can give that vehicle the same performance in speed,range,acceleration,power and refueling time as a vehicle operated with a gasoline or diesel engine. Ammonia can also be used for special refrigeration requirements of some farms.It can be piped through black iron carbon steel pipes and used for refrigeration in the way it is used in ice skating rinks or cold storage rooms. There are two types of low temperature Fuel Cells:The Alkaline Fuel Cell and the proton membrane exchange (PEM)Fuel Cell.The Alkaline Fuel Cell operates on hydrogen produced from ammonia through a Cracker.The Cracker also produces a small amount of ammonia gas which is mixed with the hydrogen gas and fed into the Fuel Cell.The Alkaline Fuel Cell can tolerate this small amount of ammonia but the PEM Fuel Cell cannot.Any ammonia gas ©entering the PEM Fuel Cell kills it immediately.The Apollo™Fuel Cell is an Alkaline fuel cell.NASA has used Alkaline Fuel Cells since the 1960's when the Apollo Space Program took our astronauts to the Moon.It is considered highly reliable and has the highest cell voltage and efficiency of all fuel cells. EAC is developing a special power plant for farms which have ammonia on hand.It ts calledtheAPOLLO'™POWER PLANT and consists of an Apollo™Fuel Cell,an EAC Ammonia Cracker,a Lead-Cobalt Battery,an EAC Solar Cell,a DC to AC inverter and a micro-processor. The Company plans to produce Power Plants with the capacity of 7-kW to 100-kW. The Apollo™Fuel Cell has been developed at the Technical University of Graz m Austria underthedirectionoftheworldrenownedfuelcellscientist,Dr.Karl Kordesch.The project will be transferred from Austria to Ft.Lauderdale,Florida this year where a Tech Center will be built to produce prototypes for test and demonstration.The Lead Cobalt Battery has been produced for over 30-years for electric vehicles with improvements being made each year.Patent applications have been filed for the Apollo™Fuel Cell and Cracker,and for the latest improvements to the Lead Cobalt Battery. EAC is starting an initial public offering (IPO)of its shares in order to build the Fort Lauderdale Tech Center this year.(This is not an offer to sell or buy shares of the Company.Such an offer can be made only through an Offering Circular to residents of certain states). For further information,phone (888)783 7050 or visit EAC's Web Site: wvww.celectricauto.com. FARM TRACTOR PULLING A NURSE TANK OF ANHYDROUS AMMONIA ({ih TH eeu chee SA 'K-ri Sat 'PRONE LEGA ea Eby yyPeesMEADOsinwRv3428boty ..of e 'J 'a ladWOEPineCibedfo 4 % 'uy A comparison between the Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Fucl Cells and the Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC)with liquid electrolyte. by K.Kordesch,Technical University Graz,A-8010,Graz,Austria Abstract: This comparison wiill discuss the electrode and system design differences between fuel cells with an immobilized electrolyte (e.g.contained in a matnx,in a gelled layer or in a membrane)and a free flowing alkaline or acidic electrolyte.The wnherent . electrochemical and technological advantages and disadvantages are pointed out.The - likely reasons for the historically often changed selection of certain fuel cell types for various applications are presented,relating the choices to opportunities and technical circumstances.These choices are by no means final and still open,as will be shown. However,they depend not so much anymore on technical or electrochemical problems and solutions,but on available materials,manufacturing feasibilities and especially on the cost of the total system to be used for a specific purpose.A modem example is the planned use of PEM Fuel Cells for Electric Vehicles.These membrane fuel cells are supposed to replace a combustion engine which costs $50 -$100 per kW power output, but do require at the present time an investment of thousands of Dollars per KW.Why did so many proponents chose this system and /or this application ?Can other systems do better ?This comparison suggests alternatives. The Technical-historical Background Early fuel cells were built with liquid electrolytes,solutions of potassium-or sodium hydroxide or diluted acids.The classical example is the alkaline fuel cell by Francis Bacon,who built his models around 1945 in a bathtub.The advantages of Hydrogen -Oxygen fuel cells for space application became clear and it was also the only application which could afford them.It led to the elumination of any mechanical pumps,which were not reliable enough.The use of matrices (for instance microporous asbestos)soaked with KOH became standard for NASA space fuel cells and it is stil]the present method,in spite of the fact that better matnces were found.Membrane fuel cells (by General Electric Co)existed already 30 years ago,but the possibility of pin holes and gas cross leakage was too high at that tume.The Nafion membranes changed that. The fact that liquid circulating electrolytes offered great advantages for heat management and water removal requirements was believed to be negated by the disadvantage of creating parasitic shunt currents in series connected cell assemblies. Delayed start-up procedures often led to the reversal of cells and irreversible cell failures. The use of combining fuel cells with rechargeable batteries in a hybrid system and the advantages in this respect (see reference)were not recognized. -]- Phosphoric acid fuel cells,were then considered the best fuel cells for power plants.They tolerated the high percentage of CQ)in any not completely shifted refonner gas.The phosphoric acid crystallized or gelled in the electrolyte space when heated to the operating temperature of about 210 °C thereby creating a fixed electrolyte which gave the desired performance.This system could not exchange or circulate the electrolyte. The use of the heat for water warming,etc,was done in separate heat exchangers,which, of course did use pumps. As a matter of convenience and for tume saving,all the testing of fuel cells was (and is)done in a continuous mode operation.The need to operate fuel cells in an interrupted fashion,with sometimes long idle periods did not seem to be important. However it is !If one considers the operation of an electric vehicle in normal use. Kordesch demonstrated this fact the first tume with his Hydrogen-Air City car,driving it daily,for over 3 years on public roads in the early 1970's (see reference). Consider the use of a gasoline engine:it operates only when the car is in use. 4000 operating hours (about 4 months when counted continuously)correspond to about 200.000 miles of operation,may be within two years or 10 years of calendar time.Only large,special gas motors can run without failure for thousands of hours continously. A similar situation is obvious in fuel cell operation of an electric vehicle.It must be able to shut down completely for longer time periods,hours,days,weeks,etc.,it must be safe in the garage,with turned off gas supply,at ambient and even low temperatures. The alkaline fuel cell with circulating and removable electrolyte can do it.It should also be mentioned that on activated stand,without load,fuel cell electrodes and catalysts degrade more than under load.The high voltage on open circuit is the reason for carbon oxidation processes,catalyst changes,ctc.Unfortunately,the alkaline matrix fuel cells with immobilized KOH electrolyte combined all possible disadvantages:the electrolyte had to stay in the cells,residual carbonate (from any uncomplete air cleaner) accumulated,separators (matrices)detenorated,gas cross leakage started during drying out or crystallisation periods during storage times without careful maintanance.Therefore it is not surprising that the AFC's got into miscredit (with help from the competition). Also the phosphonic fuel cell manufacturers found out soon,that prolonged storage of a shut down system changed the crystallized phosphoric acid and it could not be changed.The saving pomt was (and is)that power station usually stay activated and are supposed to operate continuously (for 40.000 hours or about 4 years at least).This was achieved by close to commercial units in the 200.000 kW range.No endurance reports were really published about the Megawatt size units which were tested for a few thousands of hours (a few months)and then shut down for inspection.With molten carbonate and solid state systems shut down procedures are avoided if possible. PEM fuel cells operate perfectly under 45°C.They can be shut down.They are ideal for small specific applications which can also afford the high cost.Above 55°C the water balance and membrane dry-out,difficulties start and require carefully controlled accessomes.More about that later,when costs of fuel cells and accessones are compared. System design Comparison between Alkaline and Membrane Fuel Cells. A frequently mentioned point is the high current capability of the PEM fuel cellscomparedtoothersystems.In this connection it is important to look at the efficiencies achieved at different current densities.The cell voltages allow a rough estimate. Alkaline Air-Hydrogen fuel cells have an operating voltage of about 0.8 V at 300 mA/cm?.Assuming that PEM fuel cells deliver 600 mA/cm?at 0.7 V,this is a loss of 10- 15%in efficiency. Engineers calculate that doubling the current density corresponds to half the weight or size of the fuel cell.Yes,but only the stack is reduced.The required system accessones and controls may more than offset this advantage,not even considering life expectancy questions which are not investigated easily and catalyst cost relations. The high current multiplies the membrane water balance difficulties,especially increases the air flow requurements.High air flow means a careful control of water production (load and temperature depending)versus membrane drying out.Aur supplied by a controlled compressor can only solve such problems at a considerable over-all system efficiency loss and a high cost increase. The alkaline system produces the reaction water at the hydrogen anode,the acidic membrane system at the aur-cathode.That makes the difference.Hydrogen can be efficiently circulated in a closed system with a simple condenser arrangement.Air must be blown through (80%is nitrogen!)at a high stoichiometric rate (or pressurized)if the current is high., High current densities and high air flow are also modeling parameters for the alkaline cells,especially if the size of the soda-lime CO?-Air cleaner is considered,but it is not a serious system problem because a suitable cleaner (which lasts for 5000 hours) and the KOH can easily be exchanged (like an oil change in an automobile)or refilled. System considerations also determine the cost of the system.Prices in the range of more than a few 100 Dollars per KW eliminate the chances for general electric vehicle applications.Catalyst questions come up.Due to the sensitivity of PEM cells against CO,the level of noble metal catalysts is kept high.Alkaline fuel cells using large surface carbon based low level Pt-metal catalysts are not much sensitive to CO in the hydrogen,a lower grade of hydrogen purity or converter gas can be used.The use of non-noble metal catalysts in PEM cells is not likely because of the acidic pH.Alkaline fuel cells can use conventional low-cost perovskittes or spinells at the air electrodes. The Fuel Question: Liquified or compressed hydrogen 1s not likely to be used in every-day vehicles. Perhaps metal hydrides.However,the most frequent suggestions propose methanol converted to a hydrogen rich gas.The production of a pure fuel is possible,but not cheap. The efficiency of the total system is not so good anymore,especially if compared with improved engines.We propose to use liquified ammonia,which is available in low pressure cylinders.Ammonia can be converted ma cracker to 75 %hydrogen.The efficiency of conversion is high.The capacity per weight and volume of ammonia as fuel surpasses methanol (see reference).Ammonia is produced worldwide in amounts of 100 million tons per year and is one of the mostly used chemicals,produced from natural gas. Anumonia is distributed and available in farm operations.For decades the household refrigerators worked with ammonia as cooling medium.The smell is strong,but that is an advantage because it will indicate any leakage in the cracker or fuel cell system. Ammonia poisoning -if it should happen accidentally,1s medically completely reversible,which is not the case with methanol.Small amounts of ammonia are even proposed as gasoline additive,it makes the engine exhaust gas absolutely NOx-free. Acidic PEM fuel cells can use hydrogen produced im ammonia crackers,but the remauning traces of ammonia must be removed.Alkaline fuel cells are less sensitve,the electrolyte sumply rejects ammonia and the residual ammonia in the hydrogen can be recirculated through the cracker catalytic heating unit. SUMMARY PEM-Fuel cells presently dominate the low temperature fuel cell literature.The expectations are very high and supported by large companies.The competition in the automobile and oil industry is high and only the cost factor will finally be deciding the use of fuel cells.Lf the expectations are not fulfilled,fuel cells will revert back into the already repeatedly experienced role of the promising power source,available in 15 years.The choice of applications will change with time and experiences. Literature: See the paper presented by K.Kordesch at the International Power Sources Symposium, May 12,1999,in Brighton,England. FUEL CELLS RUN ON HYDROGEN Metal Hydrides.Hydrogen can come from Metal Hydrides stored in a tank.'The problem:In order to make Metal Hydrides,we must first make hydrogen.The first step is the production of hydrogen which is passed over a mixture of metals which absorb the hydrogen and later releases the hydrogen as the last step. Therefore:Hydrogen +metal mixture =Metal Hydride which gives off Hydrogen In order to end up with Hydrogen,we must start with Hydrogen.Not practical. Methanol.Hydrogen can come from Methanol which is processed through a Reformer. Problem:When Methanol is put through a reformer,CO"is produced,along with the hydrogen.Therefore,we are not solving the air pollution problem. The chemical formula for Methanol is CH°OH. Therefore:Methanol processed through a Reformer at 900°C =Hydrogen +Carbon dioxide (CO?) Gasoline or diesel fuel.The result is the same as with methanol.Gasoline or diesel fuel must be put through a Reformer at 1,000°C.The result is the production ofHydrogenandCarbonDioxide(CO').Air pollution problem not solved. Ammonia.This is the best practical way of producing Hydrogen.Ammonia isprocessedthroughanAmmoniaCrackerat450to500°C.The result is Hydrogen and Nitrogen.80%of our atmosphere is Nitrogen,a non-pollutant. The chemical formula for Ammonia is NH*.The Ammonia Cracker is smaller and less complicated than the Reformer required for Methanol or Gasoline. Figure 1:Map of Koch and MAPCO Pipelines South Dakota Minnesota ° . ° s w Nebraska VS vcnccene® Oklahoma Arkansas Alabama --Koch Pipeline ---MAPCO Pipeline @ =Terminal Sources:Koch Pipeline Company,L.P.and MAPCO Ammonia Pipeline,Inc. Page &GAO/T-RCED-98-127 Sixty-Two Percent of Americans LiveinStateswithElectricCompetition wea Adopting or Endorsing Electricity Restructunng -26* "Source:EEL Status as of kiky 2000 All fifty states and the Distsict of Columbia have addressed reforms to retail electric service.Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia have adopted retail competition.The stetes are:Anzona,Arkansas,California,Connecticut,Delaware,Hlinois,Maine,Maryland,Massachusetts,Michigan,Montana,Nevada,New Hampshire,New Jersey,New Mexico,New York,Ohio,Oklahoma,Oregon,Pennsylvania,Rhode Island,Texas,Virginia and West Virginia.One additional state,Vermont,has endorsed retail competition,but legislation must be pessed for implementation. http://www.eei.org/issues/comp_reg/States_lead.pdf 08/28/2000 .§SREPTEMLELBETR 26,200M 7:30-8:30 Registration &Continental Breakfast 8:30-9:00 Chairman's Opening Remarks Peter Faguy Director of Electrochemical Materials MICROCOATING TECHNOLGY IPATRST [«IFFULEILS ANTD MATERIALS Fuel Cells:Realizing the Potential for Natural Gas for the Future Technology Laboratory (NETL)Strategic Center for Natural Gas is developing fuel cells for stationary power generating program is the largest distributed generation program in theU.S.and is focused on natural gas for stationary applications. achievable cost and performance goals that emphasize efficiency,reliability,and longevity.By 2003,there will be molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC)and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC)at $1,000-1,500/kW,capable of 60%efficiency,ultra- Mark Williams Fuel Cells Product Manager US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 9:40 Hydrocarbon Decomposition %Hydrocarbon (methane,diesel)decomposition on various Ni- production of CO-free hydrogen for use in fuel cells.The low levels of CO formed due to the interaction of surface support have been quantitatively analyzed (ppm level)bymethanationoftheCOandsubsequentanalysisbyflame This study highlights the dependence of the carbon formed and the levels of CO evolved during the hydrocarbon %Regeneration studies have shown that there is no loss ofactivityformethanedecompositionat723KonNi/H-ZSM-5 T.V.Choudhary,C.Sivadinarayana,C.C.Chusuei, A.Klinghoffer and D.W.Goodman TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY 10:20 9:00 The Department of Energy's National Energy ('Keynote applications in partnership with the private sector.The fuel cell NETL's stationary power fuel cell program has near-term commercial introduction of high-temperature natural gas-fueled low emissions,and 40,000 hour stack life is expected. NATIONAL ENERGY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY Towards Production of Clean Hydrogen via supported catalysts has been investigated as a method for carbon (formed from hydrocarbon decomposition)with the ionization detection (FID). decomposition step on the nature of the support. over a large number of reaction cycles. Department of Chemistry Morning Refreshment and Networking Break 10:40 Development of Low-cost Bi-polar Plates for PEM fuel cell %Review of bi-polar plate functions and design criteria%Discussion of important properties A %S History of bi-polar plate development at Energy bartnersLatestdevelopmentofmaterialandprocessforhigh-speed low-cost manufacturing %Preliminary results of testing in fuel cell stack Frano Barbir Chief Scientist ENERGY PARTNERS 11:20 R&D Opportunities in Fuel Cell Materials: Research Targets for the Next 5 YearsMODERATOR: Peter Faguy Director of Electrochemical Materials MICROCOATING TECHNOLGY PANELISTS: Dr.Subhash C.Singhal Battelle Fellow and Director,Fuel Cells PACIFIC NORTHWEST NATIONAL LABORATORY US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Tim Armstrong Manager -Fuel Cells and Functional Materials OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY D.W.Goodman Department of Chemistry TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY Laurence D.Burke Professor of Chemistry CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT,UCC,CORK,IRELAND 12:00 Luncheon for Delegates and Speakers PAST I «FUEL CELL TECEINOLOGY STATE+OF-THIE-AIRT 1:20 Alkaline Fuel Cells Alkaline fuel cells operate well at room temperature,yield the highest voltage (at comparable current densities)of all fuel cell systems,and cell and electrodes can be built from low-cost carbon and plastics.Current and past R &D on alkaline fuel cell materials and fabrication;present status of the demonstration systems;and plans for the commercialization for the automotive, stationary power,marine,and military applications. Tim Armstrong Manager -Fuel Cells and Functional Materials OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 2:00 Solid Oxide Fuel Cell R&D Update Past R&D on solid oxide fuel cell designs,materials,and fabrication;present status of the demonstration systems;andthefutureplansforthecommercializationofsuchcellsforthe automotive,stationary power,and military applications. Dr.Subhash C.SinghalBattelleFellowandDirector,Fuel Cells PACIFIC NORTHWEST NATIONAL LABORATORY US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 2:40 Y Afternoon Refreshment and Networking Break Visit Strategic Research Institute on the2 internet at http ALLE srinstitute <com Saree owe aradirectmethanol fu |cells! Attend this event and get insight into: %Potential for natural gas for the future,as seen by the US Department of Energy %New methods of producing C-free hydrogen via hydrocarbon decomposition Developments of low-cost bi-polar plates for PEM fuel cell Solid oxide and alkaline fuel cell state-of-the-art update New membrane materials for direct liquid methanol fuel cells 'Fundamental achievements in electrocatalysis Portable fuel cell applications -enabling the user =eitpe hesssdEnergy Conversion Devicesaeeer Featuring presentation from the following institutions,including: Allied Business Intelligence Newport Laboratory -DoD Enable Fuel Cell Corporation Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Energy Conversion Devices Texas A&M University Energy Partners Tulane University Fuel Cell Energy Inc.UCC University,Ireland Illinois Institute of Technology US Department of Defense Oak Ridge National Laboratory US Department of Energy Microcoating Technology Wolk Intergrated Technical Services National Energyy Technology LaboratoryGATPETEAPETER RSE Pi PERCEEaaWE Sponsored by the US Supporting Department of Energy Publication September 26-27,2000 "To Register Call Crowne Plaza Hotel 1-800-599-4950 Philadelphia,PA Seve 1-212-967-0095 ©2000 Strategic Research Institute.All rights reserved Info@srinstitute.com