TOPIC 'Bioenergy' on Nov 26, 2008 (CET)
Give-and-Take of the Methanol Car
A new type of hybrid car was introduced in early November at the Frederikshavn “EnergyWeek.” The prototype vehicle which uses methanol to power the fuel cell, as opposed to hydrogen gas, is set to entertain new possibilities.
This methanol version of the hybrid electric/fuel cell powered car has a significant quality that will appeal to the majority of drivers – it can continuously recharge itself while being driven. The Danish company, SerEnergy, is responsible for the fuel cell development methodology which uses methanol instead of hydrogen gas. SerEnergy has teamed up with the Institute of Energy Technology at Aalborg University and the firm of Lithium Balance. Lithium Balance is a company with expertise in optimizing the performance of batteries. The collaboration has been given support by the Danish Energy Authority and the North Jutland Growth Forum.
Here’s how the car’s technology works (simply put): A methanol “reformer” is utilized which converts the methanol, with added water, into hydrogen and carbon dioxide. A “reformer” is a chemical engineering technology that allows the conversion. Hydrogen is then separated out and pushed through an electrode (which there is an electric current passing through) of the fuel cell.
As with all things, there are advantages and disadvantages to this method. One advantage, from the point of the consumer, is that methanol is in liquid form and can be used easily, in the same way that gasoline is used. Hydrogen, on the other hand, is a gas and must be pumped into a storage cylinder, into the car, under pressure. Hydrogen is perceived by some to be a little on the dangerous side. Another advantage to methanol is that it has a “higher energy density” as opposed to hydrogen.
On the down side for methanol use, it is extremely flammable and toxic. The process of “reforming” the fuel to make it usable also reduces its energy efficiency and, perhaps most importantly for the environment, it releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as a by-product. Therefore, it would not be categorized as a Zero Emissions Vehicle.
Sherry Irvin
on behalf of the
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