Power Engineering - Suffolk begins hydrogen generation / fuel cell demonstration

30 July 2003 - What do you get when you combine a hydrogen generator, storage tanks, a fuel cell stack, an electric model truck, scientific expertise and a large dose of student enthusiasm? A programme launched by Suffolk University, to discover ways to improve how fuel cells perform and what they cost to operate.

Students and faculty in Suffolk's physics department are completing the first set-up and test phase of a project to gauge how well all the pieces of their customized fuel cell system work together. The knowledge gained will provide a springboard to the school's large-scale plan -- a wind and photovoltaics-powered hydrogen generator to fuel hydrogen-based power systems -- at the university's Friedman Field Station in Edmunds, Maine.

With the support of Linde Gas (www.linde-gas.com), the world's largest cylinder gas supplier and Proton Energy Systems (www.protonenergy.com), a leading manufacturer of on-site hydrogen generators, Suffolk's Frank Sagan Energy Research Laboratory now has an integrated system for on-site production and safe storage of hydrogen for a 60-watt fuel cell.

Linde Gas Senior Project Specialist Ernest Glynn engineered a complete system for Suffolk based on a compact 600 cc/minute electrolysis laboratory hydrogen generator manufactured by Proton Energy Systems. Ultra-pure hydrogen gas from the generator feeds into a low pressure (150 psi) metal hydride tank that safely stores large volumes of hydrogen. Hydrogen stored in the metal hydride tanks (from 70-liter to 1,500-liter) provides input to the fuel cell. To complete Phase One, faculty and students are documenting average run times for the generator to fill the metal hydride tanks.

"Because we have frequent, small- volume needs, designing a system for on-site hydrogen generation made sense," said Suffolk Physics Department Chairman Walter Johnson, Ph.D. "We also wanted to become acquainted with the mechanics, costs, and issues involved in making hydrogen via electrolysis. The Proton generator has a small footprint that fits into our compact laboratory, and produces hydrogen at a rate that is sufficient."

Suffolk's demonstration project has garnered national recognition. Physics, Environmental Engineering, and Electrical Engineering students Demetra Barlas, Juliana Martinez, Sebastian Ganly and German Useros were selected from many applicants to present a poster paper, Hydrogen Fuel Cell: Energy Alternative for Transportation, at a conference sponsored by the Air and Waste Management Association in San Diego, CA.

Phase Two of Suffolk's project will involve cycling the stored hydrogen through the 60-watt fuel cell stack. Students will gauge how fast hydrogen is used, and the power-generating capabilities of the fuel cell. In the final phase, the fuel cell will be connected to and power the electric motor in a small radio controlled truck.

"This project will help us determine the lifetime of fuel cell components, measure the advantages of using a metal hydride storage system for hydrogen, and how a hydrogen fuel cell can reduce emissions for the vehicles we test," said Tom Naderi, Ph.D., assistant professor and director of environmental engineering at Suffolk University.

"Hydrogen is being used for ever-expanding applications, from generating cleaner-burning gasolines, to powering new-generation automobiles, to generating power," said Cliff Caldwell, RNA Manager of Specialty Gases, Linde Gas. "As a leading hydrogen provider, Linde supplies thousands of customers globally who perform research on new uses of hydrogen. Our work with Proton Energy Systems and Suffolk University is another example of Linde's ongoing commitment to exploring environmentally sound uses for this exciting molecule."

"The exciting work at Suffolk's Frank Sagan Energy Research Laboratory is a great example of how the next generation of scientists are helping perfect hydrogen-based technologies," said Proton Energy Systems CEO Walter "Chip" Schroeder. "We're honoured to be working with Linde and with Suffolk University to provide faculty and students with the essential equipment for their progress."

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