A fuel-cell stack is run through initial diagnostics by chemical engineer Sara Yu and engineering specialist Edward Polzin.

This Argonne-developed reformer releases hydrogen from commonly available fuels to power automotive fuel cells. Argonne scientist Shabbir Ahmed (left) explains the reformer to U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham and U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert, R-Ill.

Hydrogen may provide clean energy

However, hydrogen does not exist in nature in its elemental form, so it must be extracted from a compound such as water or a hydrocarbon. And to remain a clean energy alternative, its production technology must also be clean.

Fuel cells: the first step
Commercial use of fuel cells will be one of the nation’s first steps toward a hydrogen economy. Fuel cells combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity and water—a clean and efficient system compared with internal combustion engines. 

The Department of Energy's FreedomCAR program calls for the development of hydrogen fuel-cell powered cars. Fuel cells may also power camping lanterns, laptop computers, cell phones or home electrical and heating systems.

Fuel-cell powered hybrid vehicles address global-warming issues, according to Argonne researchers. In a “well-to-wheels” study covering the total fuel cycle of 75 car-powering technologies, researchers determined such a car running on cellulose-derived ethanol would only emit about 35 grams of greenhouse gases per mile compared to 540 for a conventional gasoline-powered auto. The study was commissioned by General Motors. Argonne conducted the analysis with assistance from BP, ExxonMobil and Shell. The research was based on a full-sized GM pickup truck.

Award-winning device powers fuel cells
To help power fuel-cell cars, researchers in Argonne’s Electrochemical Technology Program have developed and patented an R&D 100 award-winning device that can serve as a transition technology. The compact, efficient device can “reform” many conventional hydrocarbon fuels, such as gasoline, methanol or natural gas, into a hydrogen-rich gas for fuel cells.

The fuel processor, which uses a process similar to that in automotive catalytic converters, is inexpensive and easy to manufacture.

Testing fuel-cell systems
Argonne’s Fuel Cell Test Facility provides independent testing of fuel-cell systems for companies producing them under Department of Energy contracts. The laboratory's worldwide recognition for its independent evaluation of advanced batteries is now being extending to fuel cells.

The facility compares the performance and operation of competing fuel cell technologies and identifies problem areas. The facility is now testing its fourth fuel-cell system. It is one of the nation's few facilities that can test full, automotive-sized systems.

Simulation software tools
Based on years of fuel cell expertise, Argonne has developed software to simulate fuel-cell systems. Called the General Computational Toolkit (GCTool), it can design, analyze and compare different power-plant configurations for efficiency and vehicle fuel economy. The software uses a modular approach to integrate thermodynamic and component models developed during decades of fuel-cell and power system research at Argonne and elsewhere.

GCTool is the Department of Energy’s reference standard for automotive fuel-cell modeling. It has been adapted from software that models nuclear, space and shipboard service power.

Long-term hydrogen solutions
Argonne scientists are exploring hydrogen-production technologies including ceramic-membrane conversion, partial-oxidation catalytic reforming and coal gasification.

One hydrogen-production method under study at Argonne is to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Water splitting can be done with electricity via electrolysis or with heat by thermal cracking processes. These pathways offer hydrogen production methods that need not release carbon dioxide.

Nuclear power is considered a promising energy source for producing hydrogen since it is a secure, long-term energy supply and because it is greenhouse-gas free. As the nation's premier nuclear power research facility, Argonne is playing a key role in developing the next generation of reactors to generate heat and electricity for hydrogen production and many other uses.

Hydrogen distribution, storage and use
Argonne is studying advanced methods of transporting and storing hydrogen, as well as the economic, energy and emission implications of widespread hydrogen use in transportation. The research includes evaluating the current infrastructure for transporting hydrogen and determining ways to accelerate its introduction into the transportation sector. Hydrogen may embrittle standard pipeline material, and it can lose more than 30 percent of its energy value in liquefying and trucking.

This research is funded by DOE's offices of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and Nuclear Energy.

For more information, please contact Evelyn Brown.

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