Reversible fuel cell
| Contents |
Basic Principles of Operation
By doing hydrolysis "backwards" the reversible fuel cell works as a hydrogen generator. In other words, hydrogen is produced within the cell itself. The only reactants required to perform this reaction are water and, in some cases, a slight acidic medium. This is a very new technology and is still considered by many to be too inefficient and expensive for mass production and personal use.
Several steps that outline the process
Step 1. Electrolysis: The splitting of water into oxygen and hydrogen.
Step 2. Oxygen is passed to the anode (positive) side while hydrogen is passed to the cathode (negative) side.
Step 3. Energy is produced. Free electrons detached from hydrogen are forced by attraction through the positive cathode.
Step 4. Oxygen attracts the hydrogen ions (a proton without an electron) (PEM + e − = h2e − > h2 + ) through a PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane). Meanwhile, electrons are passed through a resistive load (e.g. a motor) then along an cathode, joining to create a bi-product: Water.
Electrolysis does not merely happen by itself; it needs a source of energy such as sun-light, a battery or a power grid. Energy and Power (electricity) from sun-light is generated by photovoltaic cells mounted to appropriate location on a vehicle or other types of machinery. All these energy sources can of course be used in combination with each other. For example, photovoltaic cells can load batteries, which can be used directly or indirectly when needed. Batteries can also gain energy from kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is energy of motion and when it comes to cars and other vehicles it can be harvested by applying the brakes when in motion. The greatest challenge facing the development of the reversible fuel cell is finding a more efficient and effective way to power the electrolysis or indeed, finding an entirely new energy efficient method of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Reversible Fuel Cell (RFC)
A unique variation of the Proton-exchange fuel cell
- United States Patent 6,589,683
July 8, 2003: Regenerative fuel cell learning kit
A Reversible Fuel Cell (RFC) Kit usually includes: A solar electric panel and a small electric motor for demostration purposes.
Patented* RFC
The Patented* RFC consists of a 1.5 inch diameter Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) and three c.c. of pure water, enclosed in an optical grade polycarb housing.
The RFC demonstrates visually PEM electrolysis of water, producing hydrogen and oxygen. Reversing the PEM to fuel cell mode recombines the hydrogen and oxygen, producing electricity and water.
This simple reliable solid state technology is a zero emission refinery and power plant in one. Sun light and H2O are the only inputs necessary for the PEM to convert solar energy to hydrogen gas. Hydrogen gas is an energy carrier. Once stored, this carbon free energy is then available to power anything.
What exactly does the Fuel Cell Kit do?
A solar panel is used to begin the hydrolysis process. Voltage from the solar panel hydrolyzes the water that is enclosed in an optical grade polycarb housing. (For indoor and night use, a battery is provided to replace the solar panel.) This process produces hydrogen and oxygen that is stored inside the chamber. Hydrogen bubbles are usually visible on the surface of the PEM, (as seen in the below photograph). After about 60 seconds, the fuel cell is ready to perform. A motor is connected to the power out and your fuel cell will use the stored hydrogen and oxygen to run the motor!
This process is analogous to naturally observed and completely renewable processes of nature. One example of such an analogous process is photosynthesis which converts solar energy and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to useful biofuels, which are subsequently used for plant growth.
United States Patent 6,589,683
July 8, 2003: Regenerative fuel cell learning kit: Invented by one of the world's leading pioneers in [Distributed Fuel Cell Economies] and Education; ECOSOUL's founder Robert 'Skip Staats of EcoSoul.org, an (NPO 501.c3)
Abstract
Educational kit which combines a unitized regenerative fuel cell with a demonstration platform to illustrate the principals of fuel cell use and application. A fuel cell education kit provides valuable exposure to the principles of fuel cell generated electricity to children. The fuel cell is a regenerative fuel cell, converting water into hydrogen and oxygen during a charging cycle and reversing the process during discharge. A proton exchange membrane PEM drives the process.