--- Russell McMahon <apptech@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
> Latest news from fuel cell store.
> Still a way to go.
> 
>    
>
http://fuelcellstore.com/cgi-bin/fuelweb/view=SearchResults/command=LogSearch?searchfor=ve100
> 
> Metal hydride storage of Hydrogen
> 
My father worked in the aero space industry eons ago (well decades). 
Hydrides are very tricky and expensive to work with Uranium hydrides
quite nicely however it turns into a black finely divided powder
quickly. The price seems steep however if it's the only way to carry
power then I guess you're stuck huh? :)

>        
>
http://www.fuelcellstore.com/cgi-bin/fuelweb/view=Item/cat=/product=382
> 
> At 1.65 kg full and 320 Watt-hour capacity that's 194 Wh/kg
> That's poor compared to secondary battery technology such as
>     Li-Ion at now over 150 Wh/kg
>     Li-Sulfur at 250 Wh/kg
>     or even NimH at 100 ish Wh/kg
> 
> Compared to the eg thermal 14 kWh in LPG it's pathetic.
> Diesel oil gives over 50% more!
> A major problem is the hydrogen fuel and mass-inefficient hydride 
> storage.
> A Stirling engine with say 50% thermal efficiency and 25% of Carnot 
> efficiency operating at 600C would give around 0.5 x 0.25 x 
> (600-300)/600 =~ 6% or 1200 Wh/kg  from diesel with minimal extra
> mass 
> for fuel containment. That's 6 times better at VERY conservative 
> ratings. Double that would not be unreasonable. A Stirling engine
> with 
> 100 watts maximum capacity would also be size and mass competitive 
> with the fuel cell.
> 
> I await sensible direct-Methanol fuel cells. Better still 
> direct-Diesel ! :-)

Well the cells make sense they just haven't made a practical system
that fits within your budgetary desires :)

As for converting Diesel, you take long chain hydrocarbon compounds and
strip off JUST the hydrogen and see what you end up with LOL.

Seriously to convert desiel you would need a different kind of fuel
cell. You might be able to use a 2 teer fuel cell however, for example
molten carbonate and a platinum catalyst hydrogen fuel cell.  The
molten carbonate consumes the carbon from the fuel and should just
leave the hydrogen. The hydrogen can then be converted with a hydrogen
fuel cell.  Optimistically speaking of course, the hydrogen might
poison the molten calcium carbonate system, though it's unlikely. The
molten carbonate cell is used to convert low grade fuel to energy.
Things such as peet, lignite, and soft coal work well for example.

Have fun!

Stephen R. Phillips was here
Please be advised what was said may be absolutely wrong, and hereby this disclaimer follows.  I reserve the right to be wrong and admit it in front of the entire world.


		
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