TOPIC 'Fuel Cells' on Feb 02, 2009 (CET)
Fuel Research Continues In Aberdeen
The Scottish Enterprise Proof of Concept Programme has funded research for a two-year project to look into developing electrodes that can operate within “low-temperature fuel cells” and control the effects of carbon monoxide better. The University of Aberdeen’s Chemistry Department wants to find a way to manufacture fuel cells more cost-effectively. They are looking to discover a methodlogy for fuel cells to run on “less clean” fuels.
Fuel cells are comparable to batteries in that they generate electricity from negative and positive electrodes. However, they must have an unwavering supply of hydrogen or methane to work. Methanol, biofuels, and natural gas are also alternative suppliers. The fuels need to be very clean, though, for fuel cells and the cleaning process to remove contaminants in fuels can be difficult and expensive. The study being conducted at the University wants to develop a method whereby fuel cells can operate on slightly more contaminated fuels. Finding a solution to this problem could effectively place the fuel cells into the market place much faster.
Lead researcher on the project, Dr. Angela Kruth, said that the research will try to find a better way in which the fuel cell can handle carbon monoxide in the fuel. Hydrogen is believed to be the center of attention in the renewable energy market, at least in the short term. Hydrogen contains carbon and, ultimately, the goal is to get rid of carbon, but in the short term, it is a better scenario than many others.
The overall purpose is to use renewable energy sources to create a type of “pure” hydrogen. Resources that could be used to accomplish this task are tidal and wave, wind, and solar power. The hope, Dr. Kruth says, is that “The new low temperature fuel cell will be able to use carbon-containing fuels directly and is expected to drastically accelerate fuel cell technology breakthrough into the current market.”
Sherry Irvin
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