Roach.DeGiso.wiki.spring.2011

__**THE PROBLEM AT HAND**__ ====The earth is presented with numerous problems and one of the major problems that we will look at is global warming and climate change. Global warming is the increase in the temperature of the earths surface. “The scientific consensus is that global warming is occurring and mostly the result of human activity”(Wikipedia, 1st paragraph). Global warming is a huge problem and may be the cause of some of the climate issues and increase in weather conditions. Global warming is the cause of industrialization.====

**__WHAT IS BEING DONE__**
====The real question that needs to be asked is what is the driving force behind this problem. It can be narrowed down to the presence of humans on earth and the technology revolution. For factories to function many of them burn fossil fuel to run boilers, motors, or produce some product. “Many human activities release greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere the levels of these gasses are increasing at a faster rate than at any time in hundred of thousands of years”(epa.gov, 1). It is not all from fossil fuels, but majority of pollution is caused by industry. When they burn fossil fuels they release greenhouse gasses, which wreak havoc on the earths atmosphere. It is what is commonly referred to as the greenhouse effect. “The Earth’s greenhouse effect is a natural occurrence that helps regulate the temperature of our planet”(epa.gov,1). The ozone is made up of various gasses and protects the earth from harmful radiation. By humans producing more and more green house gasses they are creating a larger layer of gasses for the radiation to pass through. The problem is not the radiation getting through it’s the radiation getting back out. The gasses trap the radiation in the atmosphere and cause the earths surface to heat up. The greenhouse gasses are necessary if they were not present then the earth would not hold heat and be able to support plant growth or life.====



====Following global warming is climate change they are two different elements of the problem. Climate change is the increase of weather conditions while global warming is the average increase in temperatures along the earths surface. The other term that is used by scientists while discussing this is global change and that is the refers to changes in the global environment. “IPCC scientists believe that there is a greater than 90 percent chance that most of the warming we have experienced since the 1950s is due to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions from human activities”(epa.gov, 4). As it appears humans are the cause of most of the global warming, which is evident through the graphs that depict temperature increase on earth.====

====“If humans continue to emit greenhouse gases at or above the current pace, we will probably see an average global temperature increase of 3 to 7°F by 2100, and greater warming after that”(epa.gov,4). The statistics are staggering the increase in temperature has drastic effects to the conditions on earth. With the increase in temperature it means an increase in the earths water temperature, with the increase of water temperature it will shift the earths conditions to very severe conditions. It will cause in increase in storm activity where there was none before, but a huge aspect could be that of hurricanes. The sea water temp would be warmer causing the hurricanes to pick up more energy before they hit land. The warming will have both positive and negative impacts but the negative will weigh far greater. Along with changes to the climate the warming could effect a individuals health, it is amazing how the change in the average temperature has such a change to each individual. It’s a huge problem that has to be addressed. ==== ==== There is no immediate cure for global warming, but what can be done is on an individual basis and business basis. Renewable energy is the key it may consist of windmills, hydro electric power, or fuel cells to name a few. It is the move away from fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are used to produce power and power is used by everybody at all times if we can produce energy with zero emissions that is a huge leap forward. There are things being done at state and local levels but there has yet to be a large nation wide movement that would create jobs and solve the problem. A huge example close to home would be Cape Wind, which is a local project that would place wind turbines in the ocean and then produce power. There are many arguments for and against this project, aside from the visual aspect, which is what most cape citizens are upset about. The project would barely be visible and produce clean energy. On the other had it is expected to raise the cost of energy for residents of cape cod. The cost of the energy will be approximately twice what they would pay for energy produced by fossil fuels. It’s a double negative that we have to look at it we can have cheap energy or have expensive energy that doesn’t pollute. Aside for wind power there are solar panels and hydroelectric power. Another viable option next to wind and hydroelectric is wave power which is rather new and not widely used, but in my opinion one of the coolest. They have created a buoy that floats in the ocean and the movement of the wave causes a mechanical stroking which is then taken and used to turn a generator which creates clean energy. This clean energy is then transferred to shore by underwater cables. There are different variation of wave technology one of them being a station that uses the waves forces on an air compartment to drive a turbine. Systems like this are already in service in Scotland and deliver clean energy. ====



An individual can do a lot to be environmentally friendly, and reducing green house gases may be done on an individual basis. Driving less and switching to public transportation is key, theof fossil fuels is key to helping the environment. At home people can remember to turn off lights and switch to fluorescent lighting. All things may not seem like a huge deal but all little things add up to a decrease in the worlds energy consumption. Individuals can even go as far as installing solar panels on their homes roof. These solar panels may be expensive but will pay for themselves in the long run because on a sunny day they can produce all the necessary energy to run your house and if you produce more you can even make money. The national defense resources council have created a 5 step program to solve global warming; 1. Set limits on global warming pollution 2. Invest in clean jobs and clean energy 3. Drive smarter cars 4. Create green homes and buildings 5. Build better communities and transportation networks. There step by step process sounds effective but at what cost, green energy is expensive and takes time. There are many alternatives to fossil fuels and it is just a matter of time before we start seeing them implemented into everyday life.

**__ The Prime Solution to Global Warming: __**

 * __ HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS __**

====Hydrogen fuel cells can very possibly be the missing part of the equation, or the entire equation to stop global warming. If the world began using hydrogen fuel cells as the main source of energy, the effects and danger of global warming would decrease at a rapid rate. This can be seen through how the hydrogen fuel cell actually works. The chemistry behind this new product of energy displays some very important things that can help reduce the problem of global warming, but does not display the things that do cause the problem.====

**__ The Working of a Hydrogen Fuel Cell __**



__Similar to a battery:__ A hydrogen fuel cell, or any fuel cell for that matter, works to be similar to a battery. The main attribute that sets these energy sources apart is their life spans. A battery works well, until all of the chemicals inside of it have been used up. A fuel cell never dies, as long as there is a continuous flow of their working chemicals into the cell. What makes a battery and a hydrogen fuel cell so similar is the fact that they are both considered to be electrochemical energy conversion devices

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**__ An electrochemical energy conversion device: __** An electrochemical energy conversion device is a device that produces energy through a specific chemical reaction. Electrochemical energy conversion devices are known to be the possible equation in solving the world energy crisis through devices that can include fuel cells (more specifically known as proton exchange membrane fuel cells), and dye-sensitized solar cells, The chemical reaction that an electrochemical energy conversion device uses involves its reactants, and products. The reactants are the specific chemicals that are combined to create the chemical reaction. The products are specific chemicals that are created at the aftermath of the reaction.

A Chemical Reaction:

Reactants -> Products

An electrochemical conversion device uses the energy created during the process of the chemical reaction. This energy is then harnessed and used to perform work for a specific use.

Both batteries and hydrogen fuel cells use chemical reactions to produce their needed energy to put into work for a variety of uses. What truly sets these apart, however, is the fact that a battery is a closed energy system (see figure 2), while a hydrogen fuel cell is not. Basically, has all of its chemicals stored inside of the unit. Once all of the chemicals have been used to create energy through electro chemical conversion, the battery will stop working. From this point the battery needs to be thrown away, or it can be recharged. A hydrogen fuel cell is an open energy system (see figure 1). It uses a constant flow of chemicals going into the energy system. As long as the hydrogen fuel cell continues to receive the flow of chemicals going into the energy system, the energy that it creates will continue to go outside of the fuel cell. This makes the life of a hydrogen fuel cell immortal. If the chemicals going inside of the fuel cell are natural, and earth friendly, a hydrogen fuel cell will have absolute maximal efficiency. This makes a hydrogen fuel cell a possible permanent solution to the energy crisis that the world faces today. Figure 2: A battery: A closed engery system



Figure 1: A Hydrogen Fuel Cell: A closed energy system

There a wide variety of different types of fuel cells, all working with different styles. These can include solid oxide fuel cells, alkaline fuel cells, molten-carbonate fuel cells, phosphoric-acid fuel cells, and direct-methanol fuel cells. However, a hydrogen fuel cell is known to be a __polymer exchange membrane fuel cell.__

__Polymer exchange membrane fuel cell:__ Arguably, a polymer exchange membrane fuel cell is known as the alternative energy source that will save the world. This is because of the purity of the chemistry, and the unlimited life it has.

A hydrogen fuel cell begins with its electrolyte, a solid polymer membrane. __Electrolyte:__ An electrolyte is something that can create and conduct an electric current. This electric current is created when something splits apart to create positively, and negatively charged particles. The solid polymer membrane looks similar to, or can be characterized as a thin plastic film. Kitchen plastic wrap is a good comparison, in terms of appearance, to a solid polymer membrane. This thin plastic film does not conduct electrons, but is susceptible to protons when combined with water.

__Electrons:__ Negatively charged particles in an atom.
__Protons:__ Positively charged particles in an atom. Polymer exchange membrane fuel cells, or hydrogen fuel cells, use hydrogen (elemental symbol: H) and oxygen (elemental symbol: O) as their fuel. This fuel also represents the reactants that were mentioned earlier, beginning the electrochemical energy reaction.

Along with the electrolyte, or polymer exchange membrane, includes an __anode__, __cathode__, and a __catalyst__.

__Anode:__ An anode is the negative side of the hydrogen fuel cell, and has many uses. Hydrogen comes into the anode and is given many roles in the process of the energy created in the fuel cell. Hydrogen, along with every other element has electrons contained inside of it. When the hydrogen passes through the anode, the electrons split apart from the hydrogen. These electrons are then conducted from the anode. The external circuit in the fuel cell can then use these electrons.

__Cathode:__The cathode is the positive side of the hydrogen fuel cell, with its uses being just as important as the anode’s uses. The other reactant, or fuel of the hydrogen fuel cell, passes through the cathode.

__Catalyst:__ The catalyst is where it all goes down. The catalyst is the manager of the business in creating energy through a hydrogen fuel cell. When the hydrogen and oxygen react, the catalyst specifically controls this reaction. Platinum nanoparticles make up this tool, which are spread apart on a carbon paper or cloth (thinly).

The hydrogen in the fuel cell is pressurized when it comes through the catalyst. The reason for the catalyst containing comes into play here, when the hydrogen breaks apart into two ions, and two electrons.

__Ion__: A positively charged particle.

The electrons, as mentioned earlier, go into the external circuit of the fuel cell, and are put to other uses. Similarly to the hydrogen gas, the oxygen gas is passed through the cathode, and then forced into the catalyst. Oxygen gas is known as O2 (the 2 representing that it contains two particles), and is broken into these 2 particles when it comes into contact with the catalyst. Both of these particles are very negatively charged. As defined by chemistry, negatively charged particles attract positively charged particles, and this produces the reaction in the hydrogen fuel cell. Because of the electrolyte, or polymer exchange membrane, the hydrogen particles attract to the hydrogen particles. When these reactants finally create a reaction, along with the electrons from the external circuit being uses as well, the product of water is created. This reaction produces a certain voltage that can be used for work in a multitude of uses.



Figure above: This is a great depiction of how a hydrogen fuel cell works. The orange section shows the anode that is taking in hydrogen. It is clearly seen how the hydrogen ions and the electrons are broken up in the anode area. The hydrogen ions move through the electrolyte, while the electrons move to the external circuit. In the blue section is the cathode. The oxygen moves into play and is reacted with the electrons from the external circuit, and the hydrogen ions to create the product of water.

The reactions in the anode side and cathode side have very specific chemical reactions:

Anode: 2H2 -> 4H+ + 4 e- Cathode: O2 + 4H+ + 4e- -> 2H2O

As described earlier, the reaction can be seen where the hydrogen breaks apart in to its hydrogen and electron particles. This occurs through the anode and the catalyst. The cathode reaction shows how its oxygen successfully attracts the hydrogen, producing the product of water.

The basic net reaction in the hydrogen fuel cell can be described as followed:

2H2 + O2 -> 2H2O

This depicts the basic reaction on how the hydrogen gas combines with the oxygen gas, to produce the product of water.

The total production of volts through a single reaction in a hydrogen fuel cell is about .7 volts. This is very small and can’t produce the large scale energy we want to power the important things that power our world. Because of this hydrogen fuel cells must be combined. When hydrogen fuel cells are combined, they are referred to as __fuel-cell stacks__. All of the voltage/energy produced in fuel cell stacks are harnessed uniformly. This occurs when all of the fuel cells in the stack are connected with bipolar plates. Bipolar plates require maintenance, because they eventually corrode. When corrosion occurs, the overall efficiency of the hydrogen fuel cells will diminish. This is because they are made with metallic elements. Examples of material that is served as bipolar plates include lightweight metals, graphite, and carbon/thermoset composites. Hydrogen fuel cells, however, create more power for their given volume compared to other fuel cells. This makes them weigh less, and helps prove their efficiency against other fuel cells.



Example of a hydrogen fuel cell stack

The temperature of operation for a hydrogen fuel cell is less than 100 degrees Celsius. This trait of the fuel cell has an advantage, and a disadvantage. Because of the fact the operation is at such a low temperature, the reactions in a hydrogen fuel cell occur very rapidly. This makes a hydrogen fuel cell an excellent power source for devices that can include automobiles, which require rapid start up. The problem with it being at a low temperature is the fact that it will struggle to power things that are gathered into one assembly.

Another advantage that a hydrogen fuel cell has is the fact that the polymer exchange membrane (the electrolyte) is a solid, rather then it being a liquid. The fact that electrolyte is a solid makes it much cheaper to produce. This is because the hydrogen and oxygen will seal much more simply in a solid electrolyte, then it would in a liquid one. The lives of the cell, and stack life are also enhanced with a solid electrolyte, because it minimizes corrosion compared to a liquid electrolyte.

** Carbon: A problem; Hydrogen Fuel Cells: __The Solution__ ** The stoichiometric equation for the chemical reaction in hydrogen fuel cell involves hydrogen, and oxygen. These reactants then produce water. In this reaction the letter C, otherwise known as the elemental symbol for Carbon is not displayed once. This may be biggest, if not one of the biggest reasons why the potential future common use of hydrogen fuel cells is so important. Carbon is a big problem.

As mentioned earlier, global warming is one of the largest problems that humanity and the future of earth face today. The carbon footprint we leave on the earth is a very large source of the problem. In fact, out of all of the greenhouse gases that man is responsible for the emission of, carbon dioxide takes up 83.9% of all greenhouse gas concentrations. Carbon dioxide influences global warming by trapping and absorbing infrared rays from the sun. A large portion of these rays should be reflected out of the earth, but are not because of the rising amount of carbon dioxide in the air. This entrapment of the sun’s rays, therefore, increases the temperature of the earth. Small increase in average temperature can do catastrophic things that can include destroying fragile life and melting the ice caps. What is uncomfortable to know is that humans account for 95% of carbon dioxide emissions. To add to this, the average household burns 45,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year. 30.6 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide entered the atmosphere in 2010 alone. Greenhouse gases can remain in the atmosphere for over one hundred years.

Carbon dioxide is mainly emitted from the world’s current energy source: fossil fuels. These fossil fuels have been burning since the industrial revolution, and carbon dioxide levels have been increasing at an alarming rate since this period of time. Fossil fuels power factories, automobiles, buildings, produce electricity and many other things that the modern day man needs to use every day.

Carbon dioxide emission is damaging the earth’s climate

As mentioned in how hydrogen fuel cells work, hydrogen fuel cells have the potential to be an excellent energy source to any application. If all fossil fuels were replaced for the use of energy by hydrogen fuel cells, the planet would find itself recovering to its normal state of greenhouse gases. This is because, as mentioned before, hydrogen fuel cells inhibit zero carbon dioxide. Hydrogen fuel cells can therefore, be the solution to the problem that is global warming.

**__ Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles: Maximal Efficiency: __** Twenty gallons of carbon dioxide gas are produced and emitted into the atmosphere for every gallon of gas that is burned by driving your vehicle. Sixty tons of carbon dioxide is emitted yearly on average by a single vehicle. Vehicles are a main inhibiter of carbon dioxide, due to their energy being produced by gasoline, and diesel combustion engines. A hydrogen fuel cell car will eliminate this problem, due to it inhibiting zero carbon dioxide. This makes the production of hydrogen fuel cell cars, and making them a standard of vehicles, would be a good first step into solving the global warming problem.

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The BMW Hydrogen 7 Hydrogen fuel cell cars also have many advantages in terms of efficiency compared to the standard gasoline burning combustion engine as well. A hydrogen fuel cell car’s efficiency amounts to 64%. The total efficiency that the hydrogen produces is at 80%, but is subtracted from the energy being used to create mechanical work in the vehicle. Because of all of the energy being lost to exhaust, radiator, and being used on various mechanical parts a gasoline powered cars efficiency amounts to only 20%. The overall efficiency of an electric power car isn’t all that efficient either, amounting to only 26%.

The Honda FCX Concept: 60 % Efficient Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle **__ Hydrogen Fuel Cell Complications __** Hydrogen fuel cells can solve many problems that the world faces today, but first there are a few obstacles that the new energy source must overcome.

1.) __ It’s always about the money __ : The largest problem, as one person could assume, is the cost of a hydrogen fuel cell. Fuel cells today cost 73 dollars per kilowatt, when purchased in high volumes. To have a chance in competing with the current fuel sources, it must cost a mere 35 dollars per kilowatt. There is a large gap between these numbers, and it will take some time to find ways to diminish it. The main reason for this large cost is the metals found in the bipolar plates (70% of cost) and the proton exchange membranes.

2.) __ Temperature __ : As mentioned previously, hydrogen fuel cells operate at temperatures less than 100 degrees Celsius. This has proven to be an advantage, but the disadvantages must be eliminated. When the hydrogen fuel cells have to deal with changes in the need for energy, they must be able to at high temperatures to handle the increased and consistent stress on the vehicle. Hydrogen fuel cells, especially in vehicles, will be operating in a variety of different climates and a membrane must be designed that can deal with this.

3.) __ Getting the World Ready: __ A specific infrastructure must be created for hydrogen fuel cells. The hydrogen has to be produced at a variety of plants around the world, and have the ability to be transported. In dealing with automobiles, fueling stations have to be created alongside for a while, and then slowly diminishing gasoline stations.

** Not Just For Global Warming: **

Once an economy is created for hydrogen fuel cells, and is generally eliminated for fossil fuels, it would end up being the cheaper option. Fossil fuels are limited, and are gaining in price due to this. Oxygen and hydrogen are unlimited, which will keep it at a consistent price. Many wars and conflicts today are based on part in the competition for fossil fuels. The development of a hydrogen fuel cell powered world would eliminate this cause of conflict. The hunt for fossil fuels also damages the world in other environmental areas as well. It was very recently where the gulf oil spill occurred. The drilling for oil resulted in the adverse environmental impacts of the Atlantic Ocean. These potential disasters would be mitigated with hydrogen fuel cells being the main energy source. The Gulf Oil Spill occurred in the hunt for fossil fuels **__ The Next Step: __**

Hydrogen fuel cells can solve world problems, and this must be advertised. The next key step in the progress of making Hydrogen fuel cells the prime energy source in the world is to make it known. If the general population knew the benefits of energy through hydrogen fuel cells, there would be a push to put the idea into action. People will push the development of hydrogen plants, and the creation of the overall infrastructure to make the energy source conversion possible. Once this happens, everything else will fall into place thereafter. The problem that is carbon dioxide will be eliminated, creating a substantial decrease on the impacts of global warming. With other steps to solve the problem as discussed earlier, the planet we live in will repair itself.

**__ Sources __** [] [] [] [] [] **__ [|ecomii guide to global warming] __** **__ [|Car talk interview:global warming] __** **__ [|the inquisitir] __** **__ [|global warming: a closer look at the numbers] __** **__ [|low impact living] __** **__ [|proton exchange membrane fuel cells] __** **__ [|how fuel cells work] __** **__ [|poly 9][|fuel cells] __**