FoMoCo of Australia Extends Support to Hydrogen Research

June 9, 2011 By

Article by Lauren Woods

The auto industry has seen the increase in the demand for eco-friendly vehicles as the global community becomes more aware of the threats of global warming. To address the demand, car manufacturers have been investing in the development of eco-friendly vehicles.

One of the more promising technologies is the use of hydrogen as fuel. Hydrogen is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere and when burned, this alternative fuel produces no greenhouse gases. That is why car manufacturers like the Ford Motor Company have been making partnerships to do research on the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Recently, FoMoCo of Australia partnered with the University of Melbourne to delve in further into the hydrogen fuel cell technology.

The university also recently received a .2 million grant form the Victorian State Government. With that grant and with Ford supplying engines to the university, the practical use of hydrogen as vehicle fuel will be studied even better. Ford Australia President Tom Gorman said that “Ford Australia is proud to extend our relationship with the University of Melbourne through this important project.” The study will not only focus on the practical use of hydrogen as fuel for vehicles but also on the production of hydrogen.

While hydrogen is abundant, it combines with other elements. So, therefore, for it to be used as fuel, it has to be extracted first. Another problem in the use of hydrogen as fuel is the construction of fuel cells. As of today, fuel cells are fragile and can only withstand low vibrations which means that the current technology is impractical for off-road vehicles since the bumps encountered during off-road driving can severely damage the whole fuel cell assembly.

The participation of Ford on the hydrogen research is not surprising since the company is one of the leading car manufacturers which have already been investing on alternative fuel development. Gorman has this to say about Ford’s dedication to the development of alternative fuel vehicles: “Globally, Ford Motor Company is a leader in the development of alternative fuel vehicles and technologies. The Escape Hybrid, our range of E85-capable flexi-fuel vehicles, and the recent showcasing of the world’s first drivable fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle with plug-in capability are all examples of our broader global efforts.”

Gorman added that: “The University of Melbourne project is the first to research hydrogen engine alternatives using an Australian sourced engine, and will be an important complement to these initiatives.” The University of Melbourne will be aiming to produce a hydrogen fueled six-cylinder engine from Ford. The technology being developed at the university is called the Hydrogen Assisted Jet Ignition or HAJI for short. This technology when used in a car can provide a performance similar to that of a car equipped with a Neuspeed cold air intake system.

About the Author

Given her background on cars as an auto insurance director, Lauren Woods finds the world of cars to be constantly changing.

Question by Joshua Cloud: What happens to the byproduct of hydrogen fuel cells in a space craft?

I have a project on hydrogen fuel cells and read that they use them in american space crafts. But i was wondering where does the water go and what happens to it?

Best answer:

Answer by Bill
its exhuast, it cant be re collected, at least not 100 percent

a rocket engine runs on liquid oxygen, and hydrogen gas, when the burn its like burning gasoline but stronger and it has no carbon. its an external combustion engine though, that means all the reaction takes place outside the engine, or that the energy is vented straight out of the engine

so all exhuast is just left, they could use some type of collector i suppose to reclaim the water, but it wouldnt be efficent

What do you think? Answer below!

Filed Under: Hydrogen Fuel Tagged With: , , , , ,

Australia Gains Ground with Fuel Cells

June 7, 2011 By

As the world continues to look toward alternative energy sources to power homes, businesses, and vehicles, fuel cells have obtained favor in many countries.  Australia, though not as proficient as, say, Japan, Germany, or the United States in fuel cell technology, has recently begun to explore the possibilities of these energy sources.

Strictly speaking, fuel cells may not be renewables in the truest sense of the word, but the only byproduct of many is simply water, and water certainly qualifies as renewable.  Until recently, Ceramic Fuel Cells, Australia’s largest fuel cell developer and supplier, bemoaned the public’s perception that renewable energy was the only alternative to carbon-based fuel.  That was until Bloom Energy, based in California, developed a fuel cell they dubbed the Bloom Box.  This fuel cell outperforms most of those currently marketed by most companies worldwide.  When asked if this would further diminish Australia’s role in the world fuel cell market, Ceramic Fuel Cell’s CEO Brendan Gow was actually thrilled about Bloom’s accomplishment.  He enjoys the idea that the Bloom Box will display the capabilities of fuel cells and that consumers will see that there are other methods of generating clean energy outside of renewables.  Gow further states that although Bloom’s cell exceeds most other fuel cells’ performances, the growing demand for fuel cells will surpass Bloom’s supply, and that is where companies such as Ceramic Fuel Cells come in.  As Australia continues to catch up in the fuel cell industry, Mr. Gow sees Ceramic Fuel Cells as a major leader in Australia’s development of these power sources.

 

It may seem as though Australia is exceedingly behind the curve in fuel cell technology, but that is not the case.  A late bloomer, yes, but several of the nation’s universities have focused their efforts on creating cheaper and more efficient fuel cells, especially in vehicles.  At Monash University, scientists have redesigned fuel cells with help from an unexpected source; Goretex.  Familiar to outdoorsmen, it is a breathable material designed to waterproof outerwear.   When applied to an air electrode, the university’s Dr. Bjorn Winther-Jensesn says Goretex creates a fuel cell that is both an electrode and catalyst.  The material allows oxygen to come in contact with the conductive plastic in the fuel cell, a job usually performed by platinum.  It is easy to guess that the fuel cells developed at Monash will not only make great strides in efficiency, but in reducing production costs as well.

 

Australia is gaining ground in the renewable energy market, and is bringing fuel cell technology along for the ride.

Question by water_skipper: How much is the cheapest fuel cell that will run off natural gas?

How much is the cheapest fuel cell that will run off natural gas?
Ok. How much is the cheapest one that does that, including the reformer?

Best answer:

Answer by Nata T
fuel cells can not run off natural gas. The natural gas has to be steam reformed into H2 plus CO2 and then the H2 is sent to a fuel cell.

Add your own answer in the comments!

Filed Under: Fuel Cell Tagged With: , , , ,