Can Microalgae Solve Global Fuel and Environmental Challenges?

[Ivan Seeking]

It may be valuable to consider microalgae as a potential solution to a number of problems; not the least of which being the energy problem. Algae can be used to produce biodiesel, ethanol, and hydrogen, as options to the use of petroleum based fuels.
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24190.pdf


Another side of this issue is that algae can be used to clean-up industrial, agricultural, municipal waste, and/or for CO2 remediation, first, and then be used for fuel production.

The BEAM network supports inderdisciplinary and collaborative research into understanding the limitations on microalgal growthsupproting the development of new, commercial-scale microalgae culture systems, the production of fine chemicals, bioactive compounds and renewable fuels (hydrogen and biodiesel), as well as environmental applications such as monitoring the physiological state of phytoplankton in the environment, management of algal blooms, CO2 bioremediation and algal/bacterial systems for the bioremediation of contaminated soils. Research focuses especially on photosynthetic light utilisation efficiency and carbon fixation, chlorophyll fluorescence, biochemistry of secondary metabolites, molecular biology and photobioreactor design and engineering, informed by an understanding of the ecology of these algae.

http://wwwscieng.murdoch.edu.au/centres/algae/BEAM-Net/BEAMHOME.html

Here is one story in the news that seems to be appropriate for consideration in this regard.

Midwestern farming practices have left the mighty Mississippi River chock full of carbon dioxide, acidifying the downstream Gulf of Mexico and harming coral and other marine life, a new study finds. [continued]

http://www.livescience.com/environment/080125-mississippi-chemistry.html

 

[wolram]

Algae to the rescue.

So what are we waiting for, some Arab sheikh to come along and fund production?

 

[sas3]

I have read that they can get over 50,000 gallons of biodiesel pre season per acre with algae.
"So what are we waiting for" was also my reaction.
Dam oil companies!

 

[Ivan Seeking]

I have read that they can get over 50,000 gallons of biodiesel pre season per acre with algae.
"So what are we waiting for" was also my reaction.
Dam oil companies!

Eh, about the best we can expect is 10,000 gallons per acre-year; and that is probably not realistic except in the lab. But all things considered - after factoring in processing efficiency - it is still about 40 times better than corn ethanol.

The maximum production is limited for one by the solar energy input. However, if the conversion efficiency of algae can be improved through hybridization or genetic engineering, then we might be able to exceed the 10,000 gallon per acre-year limit.

What are we waiting for? Personally, I'm not waiting - I started a biofuels company. The question is: What are YOU waiting for?

 

[Dale]

I am a big fan of algae and other biofuels. But I think that "dam oil companies"-type statements are fairly silly. There is a lot of R&D going on, so if the oil industry is actually attempting to suppress alternative technologies then they are obviously simply incapable of suppressing them.

Each alternative fuel has some serious technical, logistical, and economical challenges to overcome in order to replace petroleum. The best thing possible for overcoming these challenges is continued high prices for petroleum.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Each alternative fuel has some serious technical, logistical, and economical challenges to overcome in order to replace petroleum. The best thing possible for overcoming these challenges is continued high prices for petroleum.

That is true. It apppears that $3 is the magic number for one because this is the price of biodiesel. In the past when the choice was biodiesel at $3, or petrodiesel at $1.50, it was a tough sell. But with biodiesel price competitive like it is now, progress is made quickly.

One hidden variable here is that by just replacing imported oil, domestic fuel production will inject about a half-trillion dollars into the US economy each year - money that currently goes to foreign suppliers. That is about one Iraq war every year in returns.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Take a look! It's already happening!
http://www.nearbio.com/

 

[DrClapeyron]

Why is this discussion in Earth and not Biology or Engineering?

 

[Ivan Seeking]

It is intended to address specific environemental needs such as the one in the story linked. But obviously background information is appropriate, and it is a multidisciplinary subject.

 

[wolram]

What are we waiting for? Personally, I'm not waiting - I started a biofuels company. The question is: What are YOU waiting for?

Well done Ivan i hope your company flourishes, is there a depth limit of the water needed to grow algae?

 

[Ivan Seeking]

is there a depth limit of the water needed to grow algae?

It is generally claimed that all growth occurs in the top fraction of an inch of the water.

 

[Integral]

Here is potential competition for algae http://www.wired.com/cars/energy/news/2008/01/ethanol23"

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Wow! We will have to see if this pans out. I have seen claims like this come and go for decades... so we will see.

Of course there is still a tremendous need for diesel either way.

 

[DrClapeyron]

How is this good for the environment? I don't think algae can compete with diesel processed from crude oil.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Do your have any reasons for your opinion?

 

[Dale]

Here is potential competition for algae http://www.wired.com/cars/energy/news/2008/01/ethanol23"

One thing I like about ethanol is the possibility of direct ethanol fuel cells. I think cellulosic ethanol is the only ethanol that makes sense economically. Otherwise we are literally burning our own crops. Most of the valid objections of the anti-ethanol crowd are directly related to the impact on food supplies.

That said I am open to algae and other sources of biodiesel also. The more different sources we can use the better.

 

[wolram]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/new-power-generation-alternative-energy-sourc

Seems the big boys are getting in on the act.

Meanwhile, in Hawaii, the petroleum giant Shell has more immediate plans. Its ingenious system aims to produce biodiesel from pond scum. It might sound outlandish, but algae has become something of a buzzword in future-fuel circles. If Shell, the first oil major to invest in algal oils, can show the technique to be a viable alternative to standard diesel and existing biofuels, algal fuels could soon appear on a forecourt near you.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

No matter how this pans out, the high energy density of biodiesel as compared to ethanol - about 1.5 times higher - and the fact that it can be used in existing diesel and [with modifications] aircraft engines, and the fact that diesel engines are more efficient than existing IC engines means that BD is needed in large quantities for many years to come.

But again, one of the huge benefits of algae is that it can be used for waste remediation [industrial, agricultural, and municipal] and then used to produce fuel. In essense we have the potential to make a profit by cleaning-up environmental disasters. For example, nitrogen from agricultural runoff kills lakes and streams, but algae loves it!

 

[mheslep]

For example, nitrogen from agricultural runoff kills lakes and streams, but algae loves it!

Its not the nitrogen that kills. The N spawns accelerated plant growth that in turn takes oxygen from the water, its the lack of O2 that kills.

 

[DrClapeyron]

I am thin on why watered down diesel fuel production involves the Earth sciences. Yall certainly have a wholesale issue grasp, so may I assume the Earth science relationion has something to do with available water resources, which if the production plants are built close to large water reserves like say on the texas gulf coast no problem unfolds.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Its not the nitrogen that kills. The N spawns accelerated plant growth that in turn takes oxygen from the water, its the lack of O2 that kills.

The N kills the lake though the associated growth, which kills the fish.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

I am thin on why watered down diesel fuel production..

Could you explain what you mean by watered down fuel? It would appear that you are just taking cheap shots at something that you know nothing about.

 

[dlgoff]

Hey Ivan. I just saw little clip from the local news on the Fox network out of Kansas City about Biodiesel.

Of course you were the first person to come to mind. I was wondering if the person they interviewed was you.

Regards

 

[_Mayday_]

Am I correct in saying that algae would also take in a lot of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere? If I am correct then its like killing two birds with one stone. It would need to be grown in HUGE numbers.

 

[mheslep]

Am I correct in saying that algae would also take in a lot of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

Yes all plant http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis" does.

If I am correct then its like killing two birds with one stone. It would need to be grown in HUGE numbers.

Theoretically at best it would be carbon neutral - fixing carbon during growth and then liberating it again when the resulting biofuel is burned. A recent spoiler to this equation: apparently if one slashes and burns the land needed for growth of your fuel crop then the net http://www.independent.co.uk/enviro...worse-scientific-study-concludes-779811.html", at least for some crops. I don't know what is commonly planned for Algae farms. If its done in the ocean somehow then the CO2 would be neutral; if massive land locked algae lakes have to be made then one is back to clearing land again.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Algae is the answer to slash and burn because unlike the alternatives, it doesn't require good farmland. Also, the yields per acre are typically ten to forty times higher than other crops, so it requires less land area [or water area] accordingly.

 

[mheslep]

Algae is the answer to slash and burn because unlike the alternatives, it doesn't require good farmland.

Where would it typically be grown then? BTW Id favor it in any case if its economical since its better (for now) than being dependent of foreign oil.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

There are many approaches ranging from open lakes and covered ponds to high-tech bioreactors. IIRC, there was even talk of dedicating the entire Salton Sea for algae production; due to the existing levels of pollution. But in principle you can grow it anywhere that you can have water, NPK, a fairly moderate climate [for production all 12 months of the year], and sunshine.

 

[mheslep]

Does one take sugar directly from algae or is there also cellulose conversion required (via cellurase and all that)?

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Right now the shortest and most economical path is to produce biodiesel from algae. Microalgaes produce mainly sugars and long-chain hydrocarbons [plant oil for biodiesel]. I'm not sure exactly what is involved in extracting the sugar but it can constitute as much as 50% of the algae by weight. And no, we're not talking about something as inefficient as cellulosic ethanol.

There is a chemical switch that selects for either oil or sugar production. Controlling this switch is one of the goals of modern research.

Note that there is one slow growing algae - botryococcus braunii - that is known to produce as much as 80% oil by weight.

There is a group through MIT that is growing algae for hydrogen production, so in addition to providing an immediate solution to our energy problems, algae may be the key to a hydrogen economy.

 

[mheslep]

Right now the shortest and most economical path is to produce biodiesel from algae. Microalgaes produce mainly sugars and long-chain hydrocarbons [plant oil for biodiesel]. I'm not sure exactly what is involved in extracting the sugar but it can constitute as much as 50% of the algae by weight. And no, we're not talking about something as inefficient as cellulosic ethanol.

Cellulosic ethanol is inefficient in what sense? In economic terms, the http://www.wired.com/cars/energy/news/2008/01/ethanol23" article up thread said they could produce for $1/gallon from basically any organic material, and for much less heat/pressure/water than is required for corn ethanol. I don't how to calculate land use for cellulosic, since the source can be municipal waste, trash wood pulp, feedstock, whatever.

There is a group through MIT that is growing algae for hydrogen production, so in addition to providing an immediate solution to our energy problems, algae may be the key to a hydrogen economy.

A bit of a digression - do you believe the distribution problems for H are solved? Pipelines won't work, liquification costs, etc. I see serious economic difficulties there in putting that infrastructure in place.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Cellulosic ethanol is inefficient in what sense? In economic terms, the http://www.wired.com/cars/energy/news/2008/01/ethanol23" article up thread said they could produce for $1/gallon from basically any organic material, and for much less heat/pressure/water than is required for corn ethanol. I don't how to calculate land use for cellulosic, since the source can be municipal waste, trash wood pulp, feedstock, whatever.

I'll believe it when I see it. Sounds to me more like a ploy for funding considering that it's not being reported more generally. I've heard many claims like this before that all turned into vaporware. Generally, the best predictions for cellulosic ethanol to be competitive are ten to twenty years, and [historically] even predictions like that are often overly optimistic. And by then we will likely have solved the problem with algae.

A bit of a digression - do you believe the distribution problems for H are solved? Pipelines won't work, liquification costs, etc. I see serious economic difficulties there in putting that infrastructure in place.

One key concept in a H economy is local production. This eliminates many of the infrastructure problems. It also makes the energy supply more secure than it is now because it decentralizes the system. Note also that many Hydrogen fueling stations already exist and the country of Iceland is converting to H right now.

Here you can find a list of the world's H fueling stations.
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?p=1306959#post1306959

 

[mheslep]

One key concept in a H economy is local production. This eliminates many of the infrastructure problems. It also makes the energy supply more secure than it is now because it decentralizes the system.

This makes sense - if it can be done.

 

[mheslep]

Note also that many Hydrogen fueling stations already exist and the country of Iceland is converting to H right now.

I have to backup a bit here. After googling Iceland's H plans, there is indeed a ton of information: lots of the usual why 'H is great' for energy independence, environment, use the geothermal, etc. But after digging into it, its all the same load of hand waving when it comes to distribution and storage, in particular nobody has demonstrated an economically viable onboard automobile storage approach. 'Concept projects planned for metal hydride' storage' - yes they better do some projects because hydride storage isn't close to being economically efficient. "Well fishing boats have problems storing H for weeks at sea, project planned to 'store' the H in methanol on board instead" - which is just begging the question IMO. Nanotube storage, blah, blah. Its not there yet.
Edit: more - the buses Iceland is deploying go for "www.afsa.org/fsj/dec03/sigfusson.pdf"[/URL]. This is just a Disneyworld stunt, pandering to the EU for subsidies and some feel good for the voters.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

First of all, I agree that there are still issues. Of course what makes Iceland unique is all of the free energy that they get from geothermal, which makes H2 from electrolysis practical.

First I think you need to define what you mean by "economically viable". But, no doubt, this is all still in the development stage. However, for example, I believe that BMW has a car that can run on either gasoline or H2 [internal combustion] with the flip of a switch, so it might be interesting to see what they and other people are doing.

There are a tons links in the hydrogen thread linked above for the fueling stations.

For me, none of this is as problematic as the issue of production. Right now there is no practical way to produce hydrogen that can compete with standard fuels. But for the long term it looks like algae could solve this problem. So the point is that once again we see that algae is the most promising path to follow no matter which fuel we wish to use - biodiesel, ethanol, and eventually even Hydrogen.

 

[mheslep]

First of all, I agree that there are still issues. Of course what makes Iceland unique is all of the free energy that they get from geothermal, which makes H2 from electrolysis practical.

First I think you need to define what you mean by "economically viable". But, no doubt, this is all still in the development stage. However, for example, I believe that BMW has a car that can run on either gasoline or H2 [internal combustion] with the flip of a switch, so it might be interesting to see what they and other people are doing.

By economically viable I mean the cost/performance of an H vehicle vs comparable C-H ICE vehicles. Now I'll spot you some emissions credits for the H car to start as that's certainly a cost. Maybe spot you some more for having using a domestic fuel source. Now let's look at H distribution and storage costs. First, if you go liquification you burn 20-40% of the initial H energy right away. Maybe that's a wash if your energy is renewable (geothermal), though its not free regardless. Second, that tiny H2 molecule leaks. Refueling, at rest, whatever, its going to leak. I read 10-20% gone. Third, either liquid H or compressed H tanks are too heavy to get the 500km range associated with gas ICE cars, and they're more expensive. Then there's the cost of H distribution: cost of trucking and building the expensive trucks. Guaranteed even small Iceland has some traditional pipelines in place to push C-H around which it will find is far cheaper than trucking H. The buses for example, at $1.1M, are not viable. I imagine storage tank/fuel system costs are a big part of that. No real bus company, sans state support, would buy one.

There are a tons links in the hydrogen thread linked above for the fueling stations.

Yes lots of them, but these are all subsidized DOE or state stunts. Doubt any business would try this it couldn't turn a profit. Of course one can sprinkle around some H2 stations but it doesn't scale because there's no economical method to distribute the H2 to the stations. Pipelines don't work. Your point about local production is crucial here as it opens the door a bit but I'm still skeptical.

For me, none of this is as problematic as the issue of production. Right now there is no practical way to produce hydrogen that can compete with standard fuels. But for the long term it looks like algae could solve this problem. So the point is that once again we see that algae is the most promising path to follow no matter which fuel we wish to use - biodiesel, ethanol, and eventually even Hydrogen.

I see that most hydrogen is currently made by reforming CH4, and that is still 7 to 15x more costly per energy unit than gasoline. I don't understand why that is so (the 7-15X part). I had thought the reforming a C-H compound to get H was mostly some kind of catalysis and didn't require much energy. This is relevant because I assume reformation is the same process to take algae C-H fuel and make H. Can anyone enlighten me?

 

[Ivan Seeking]

By economically viable I mean the cost/performance of an H vehicle vs comparable C-H ICE vehicles. Now I'll spot you some emissions credits for the H car to start as that's certainly a cost. Maybe spot you some more for having using a domestic fuel source. Now let's look at H distribution and storage costs. First, if you go liquification you burn 20-40% of the initial H energy right away. Maybe that's a wash if your energy is renewable (geothermal), though its not free regardless. Second, that tiny H2 molecule leaks. Refueling, at rest, whatever, its going to leak. I read 10-20% gone.

Based on the current technologies this doesn't sound unreasonable, but where did you get your numbers?

Third, either liquid H or compressed H tanks are too heavy to get the 500km range associated with gas ICE cars, and they're more expensive. Then there's the cost of H distribution: cost of trucking and building the expensive trucks. Guaranteed even small Iceland has some traditional pipelines in place to push C-H around which it will find is far cheaper than trucking H. The buses for example, at $1.1M, are not viable. I imagine storage tank/fuel system costs are a big part of that. No real bus company, sans state support, would buy one.

I don't know about the tank weight problem. If you mean using traditional tanks then it may not apply any longer. The rest of your post really applies to mass distribution from a centralized source, which is verbotten in a H2 economy. But your point that there are hidden costs is entirely correct.

However, what you call a "spot" for domestic production is in fact [today] about 1/2 trillion dollars per year not sent to foreign suppliers. I consider that more than just a spot - that is about 1400 dollars for every man, woman, and child in the US. You also spot for emission credits, when in fact health care costs resulting from automotive emissions are a significant cost to society. Then you also have to factor in the change in the world order: Oil is what drives much of our need for military, and much of the geopolitical arena. The ME is clearly a major factor in our spending, but this would not be nearly so critical if we had no need for oil. And this is nothing new: Note that even the attack on Pearl Harbor was rooted in oil.

“The intent of the attack was to protect Japan's move into Singapore and the Dutch East Indies, executed to secure her access to natural resources; mainly oil”. - Miller, War Plan Orange; Willmott, Empires in the Balance

Less the Cuban Missile Crisis, the only time since WWII that the use of nukes was seriously considered [and I believe even authorized in the event of a conventional attack] was during the Carter Administration. The Soviets were poised to sweep the ME and we didn't have the conventional hardware to stop them. The oil supply was and is still hypercritical to our national security. So if you want to talk about hidden costs...

The need for oil nearly started a nuclear war and may yet be the cause of WWIII. As China and India come online, things could get really ugly. So you may need to spot for a siginficant percentage of our military spending as well as a war or two with China.

It makes one wonder what the true price of a gallon of gas may be; and how much blood does it represent?

Yes lots of them, but these are all subsidized DOE or state stunts. Doubt any business would try this it couldn't turn a profit.

I think you meant that the fueling stations are all sponsored or experimental sites. This is a predictable phase of R&D for a new technology like this. They are a part of the effort to usher in this technology and make it practical. If you don't do the ground work then it will never be possible.

But I meant the links below. Many may be dead now but it's a place to start. Some are directed to old sites. For example, the National Hydrogen Association is linked a number of times but the links are dead. Here is there new link.
http://www.hydrogenassociation.org/

These all come from the hydrogen thread linked earlier.

Posted approximately in the order discussed:

A Hydrogen economy: Be a part of the change! https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=4127

Scientific American Frontiers: Future Cars [Watch the video online]
http://www.pbs.org/saf/1403/index.html

Questions about a Hydrogen Economy; Scientific American
http://www.sciamdigital.com/browse....B9BE5E6-2B35-221B-6F2461DEF9B52B9C&sc=I100322

Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology
U. S. Department of Energy
Nuclear Hydrogen Initiative Nuclear
http://www.nuclear.gov/infosheets/hydrogenfactmarch2003.pdf

The National Hydrogen Association
http://www.hydrogenus.com/

http://www.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/hydrogen/iea/

http://www.geocities.com/mj_17870/index.html

http://education.lanl.gov/resources/h2/education.html

http://www.stuartenergy.com/

HYDROGEN AND THE MATERIALS OF A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE
WORLD WIDE WEB SITE
Hosted by: Los Alamos National Laboratories
http://education.lanl.gov/resources/h2/education.html

International Energy Agency Hydrogen Program
http://www.ieahia.org/

Includes discussion of
BIOMASS TO H2
DIRECT PRODUCTION FROM WHOLE BIOMASS
Gasification
Thermal/Steam/Partial Oxidation
PRODUCTION OF STORABLE INTERMEDIATES FROM BIOMASS PARTIAL CONVERSION
Small scale reformer technologies
Photovoltaic cells plus an electrolyzer
Photoelectrochemical cells with one or more semiconductor electrodes
Photobiological systems
Photodegradation systems
Photoelectrolytic and Photobiological Production of Hydrogen

Case Studies of Integrated Hydrogen Energy Systems
http://www.ieahia.org/case_studies.html

Hydrogen by Catalytic Decomposition of Water [search "Hydrogen"]
http://www.netl.doe.gov/
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-...,468,499.WKU.&OS=PN/6,468,499&RS=PN/6,468,499

Also at the site above: search Hydrogen
HYDROGEN FROM COAL
DENSE CERAMIC MEMBRANES FOR HYDROGEN SEPARATION

Hydrogen - The Department of Energy
http://www.energy.gov/engine/content.do?BT_CODE=ES_HYDROGEN
Time to Escape from the Grid: Wired Magazine
http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,60089,00.html

http://physicsweb.org/article/world/15/7/10/1

First two myths about renewable energy need to be dispelled
http://physicsweb.org/article/world/14/6/2/2

Fuel cells: environmental friend or foe?
http://physicsweb.org/article/news/7/6/10/1

More on fuel cells
http://physicsweb.org/article/world/11/7/2/1

Hydrogen Safety Facts
http://www.hydrogenus.com/H2-Safety-Fact-Sheet.pdf

Hydrogen at Home; The H2 Horizon: Re Iceland, which has gone H2 already
http://www.loe.org/ETS/organizations.php3?action=printContentItem&orgid=33&typeID=18&itemID=204&User_Session=63e33af74b5bc33216035afa351f1a58

Fuel from water [credibility of author unknown]
http://www.lindsaybks.com/bks/hydrogen/index.html

Gas Hydrages
http://www.fe.doe.gov/programs/oilgas/hydrates/
http://oceanusmag.whoi.edu/v42n2/whelan.html
http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/hydrates/who.html

The NHA's Hydrogen Commercialization Plan
http://www.hydrogenus.com/commercializationplan.asp

The NHA's Hydrogen Implementation Plan
http://www.hydrogenus.com/implementationplan.asp

Multi-step metal oxide cycles for solar-thermal water splitting"
http://www.colorado.edu/che/TeamWeimer/perkins.htm
http://www.pre.ethz.ch/cgi-bin/main.pl?research?project6

Solar Production Of Zinc: Concentrated solar energy is used as the source of process heat for the dissociation of zinc oxide
http://solar.web.psi.ch/daten/projekt/zno/roca/roca.html

Mechanical Engineering "Power & Energy," March 2004 -- "Packaging Sunlight," Feature Article
http://www.memagazine.org/pemar04/pckgsun/pckgsun.html

Analysis of Solar Thermochemical Water-Splitting Cycles for Hydrogen
http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cach...solar+furnace"+efficiency+cost+problems&hl=en

Concentrating Photovoltaics: Collaborative Opportunities within DOE’s CSP and PV Programs
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy02osti/31143.pdf

Rapid Solar-thermal Dissociation of Natural Gas in an Aerosol Flow Reactor
http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cach...solar+furnace"+efficiency+cost+problems&hl=en

1. Union of Concerned Scientists www.ucsusa.org.
2. American Methanol Institute www.methanol.org.
3. Fuel Cells 2000 www.fuelcells.org.
4. California Air Resources Board www.arb.ca.gov.
5. National Hydrogen Association www.hydrogenus.com.
6. Los Alamos National Laboratory (see below)
7. California Fuel Cell Partnership www.drivingthefuture.org.
8. The US Fuel Cell Council www.usfcc.com.
9. California Hydrogen Business Council www.ch2bc.org/

White House press release
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/02/20030206-2.html

Also, search "Hydrogen"
http://www.whitehouse.gov/

Fuel Cells
http://education.lanl.gov/resources/fuelcells/

Fues Cells coming of age
http://www.fuelcellstore.com/information/coming_of_age.html

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars: ecoworld article
http://www.ecoworld.com/Home/Articles2.cfm?TID=284

NASA Spaces on Energy Solutuion: Wired article
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,63913,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_1

DEVELOPING IMPROVED MATERIALS TO SUPPORT THE HYDROGEN ECONOMY
http://www.hydrogenus.com/EMTEC-EFC-RFP01A.pdf

International Association For Hydrogen Energy
http://www.iahe.org/

Sustained Photobiological Hydrogen Gas Production upon Reversible Inactivation of Oxygen Evolution in the Green Alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
http://www.plantphysiol.org/cgi/content/abstract/122/1/127

Hydrogen; Quick Facts
http://www.hydrogenus.com/hydrogen-basics.asp

Europositron technology: a private enterprise
http://www.europositron.com/en/background.html

Brayton Cycle engines
http://www.almturbine.com/

Hybrid Turbine Electric Vehicle
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/RT1996/6000/6920v.htm
http://search.grc.nasa.gov/query.ht...qm=0&st=1&nh=10&lk=1&rq=0&rf=0&tx=0&go=Search

UK company way ahead of the market in creating green hydrogen
http://search.grc.nasa.gov/query.ht...qm=0&st=1&nh=10&lk=1&rq=0&rf=0&tx=0&go=Search

Hydrogen Economy looks out of reach: Nature article
UK company way ahead of the market in creating green hydrogen[/URL]

Running On Thin Air
Iceland is making its dream of a hydrogen economy come true
http://www.time.com/time/europe/specials/ff/trip1/hydrogen.html

California Unveils State's First Hydrogen Refueling Station: News item
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200410/200410230010.html

Fusion reactor decision must wait: BBC report
[url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3997249.stm[/url]

Hybrids vs. Hydrogen: Which Future Is Brighter?
[url]http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Hybrid/story?id=266883&page=1[/url]

hydrogen from methanol
[url]http://www.nasatech.com/Briefs/Jun02/NPO19948.html[/url]

hydrogen from coal
[url]http://www.nuclear.com/Energy_policy/Coal_gas_news.html[/url]

hydrogen from nuclear power
http://www.businessreport.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=561&fArticleId=291054

hydrogen from sunlight
http://www.pureenergysystems.com/news/2004/09/14/6900043_Solar_Hydrogen/index.html

hydrogent from wind
http://evworld.com/view.cfm?section=article&storyid=502

fuel cells
[url]http://www.spacedaily.com/news/energy-tech-03s.html[/url]

Technical issues of a hydrogen economy
http://books.nap.edu/books/0309091632/html/1.html#pagetop

[url]hydrogen from methanol
[url]http://www.nasatech.com/Briefs/Jun02/NPO19948.html[/url]

hydrogen from coal
[url]http://www.nuclear.com/Energy_policy/Coal_gas_news.html[/url]

hydrogen from nuclear power
http://www.businessreport.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=561&fArticleId=291054

hydrogen from sunlight
http://www.pureenergysystems.com/news/2004/09/14/6900043_Solar_Hydrogen/index.html

hydrogent from wind
http://evworld.com/view.cfm?section=article&storyid=502

fuel cells
[url]http://www.spacedaily.com/news/energy-tech-03s.html[/url]

Technical issues of a hydrogen economy
http://books.nap.edu/books/0309091632/html/1.html#pagetop

Scientists develop new hydrogen reactor: CNN news item
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/02/13/hydrogen.reactors.ap/

Ethanol and the Environment
http://www.ethanolrfa.org/factfic_envir.html
http://www.free-eco.org/articleDisplay.php?id=21
[url]http://www.ethanol-gec.org/corn_eth.htm#net[/url]
http://www.ncga.com/news/notd/2004/june/060904a.htm


A group of non-specific links from various poster:
[url]http://www.iogen.ca[/url]
[url]http://www.sheclabs.com[/url]
[url]http://www.ecologen.com/page_TSSOM2-75.html[/url]
[url]http://www.lanl.gov/worldview/news/releases/archive/04-076.shtml[/url]
[url]http://www.azonano.com/details.asp?articleID=1022[/url]
[url]http://209.157.64.200/focus/f-news/1291187/posts[/url]
[url]http://www.forrelease.com/D20040519...3352.28636.html[/url]
http://groundstate.ca/node/68

Food, Energy, and Society [book]
[URL][/URL]

Hydrogen economy for a sustainable development:state-of-the-art and technological perspectives
[URL][/URL]

The Hydrogen Economy: Physics Today article
http://www.physicstoday.org/vol-57/iss-12/p39.html
http://www.physicstoday.org/vol-57/iss-12/PDF/vol57no12p39-45.pdf

The Hydrogen Economy: Opportunities, Costs, Barriers, and R&D Needs (2004)
http://www.nap.edu/books/0309091632/html/

Hydrogen Economy Offers Major Opportunities But Faces Considerable Hurdles
[URL]http://www4.nationalacademies.org/news.nsf/isbn/0309091632?OpenDocument[/URL]

Supercritical-Water-Cooled Reactor
[URL]http://energy.inel.gov/gen-iv/scwr.shtml[/URL]

Clean coal compendium and related articles:
http://www.netl.doe.gov/cctc
[URL]http://www.careenergy.com/news/articleview.asp?iArticle=7[/URL]
http://www.antenna.nl/wise/uranium/mdaf.html

Automobile Emissions Reduction Efforts in the U.S. - Chronology
[url]http://www.ehso.com/ehshome/auto-emissions_chronol.htm[/url]
[url]http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/1223/p01s04-sten.html[/url]

Articles posted from Car and Driver
[url]http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=27&article_id=2502&page_number=1[/url]
[url]http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=27&article_id=3418&page_number=1[/url]
[url]http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=27&article_id=3418&page_number=1[/url]
[url]http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=27&article_id=3296&page_number=1[/url]
[url]http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=27&article_id=4343&page_number=1[/url]

The Dirty Folly of "Clean Coal"
http://www.ems.org/energy_policy/clean_coal.html

Coal Combustion, Public Health and the Environment
http://www.ems.org/energy_policy/coal.html

Emissions of greenhouse gases
[URL]http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/gg98rpt/emission.html[/URL]

More on nuclear options for Hydrogen
[URL]http://nuclear.gov/home/11-09-04.html[/URL]
[URL]https://www.pbmr.com/[/URL]
[URL]http://gt-mhr.ga.com/[/URL]
[URL]http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/nuclear/page/analysis/nucenviss2.html[/URL]
[URL]https://www.pbmr.com/3_pbmr_technical_info/pbmr_technical_contents.htm#PBMRFuel[/URL]

Spray-On Solar-Power Cells Are True Breakthrough
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/01/0114_050114_solarplastic.html

ASU researcher gets grant to explore new methods of hydrogen generation
[url]http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-01/asu-arg012005.php[/url]

Quantum Dots and Tunable Bandgap
[URL]http://www.evidenttech.com/applications/quantum-dot-solar-cells.php[/URL]
[url]http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=quantum+dots+Infrared+solar+cells[/url]

Hydrogen for residential combined heat and power
http://www.waterstof.org/20030725EHECO3-132.pdf

Oregon may lead future of wave energy: news alert
[url]http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-02/osu-oml020105.php[/url]

"Ethanol has the potential to be an integral part of the emerging hydrogen economy. Its properties make it an excellent liquid fuel for the extraction of hydrogen.
http://www.maui-tomorrow.org/issuespages/energy/ethanol_hydrogen.html

Hydrogen powered motorcycle: news item
[URL]http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1321345.html?menu=[/URL]

T-Zero Electric Car [hot!]
http://www.acpropulsion.com/tzero_pages/tzero_home.htm

Windmills in the Sky: Wired News item
http://www.wired.com/news/planet/0,2782,67121,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_2

Solar Tower of Power: Wired News item
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,66694,00.html

About H2 ICE: Internal Combustion Engines. They're here...
[url]https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=70653[/url]

H2 CARSBIZ
http://www.h2cars.biz/artman/publish/index.shtml

 

[Ivan Seeking]

For now we should all be driving on algae power through biodiesel. That is a solution for today.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Here are the stats from the DOE for 1998. Do the math at the current price of oil and add a bit for increased demand. Note also that the net imports includes crude and refined products, so using only the cost of crude results in a low number.

U.S. Supply and Demand: In millions of barrels per day
Consumption (25% of world total) - 20.8

Production (crude oil, NGPL, and other oils) - 6.9
Net imports (crude oil & refined products) - 12.6

OPEC 41%
Persian Gulf 17%
Dependence on foreign oil - 60%

This accounts for about 60% of our trade deficit.
http://www.americaneconomicalert.org/ticker_home.asp

 

[mheslep]

For now we should all be driving on algae power through biodiesel. That is a solution for today.

I agree. I hope that per http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/07/14/diesel-volt/" (aka Bob Lutz) the EPA does not stand in the way. I was curious why in the heck GM wasn't using a diesal for its series hybrid Chevy Volt, as a diesal engine is absolutely perfect for a constant speed generator prime mover. Lutz says they aren't making any diesel engines in the US: Tier II Bin 5 air standards are too tough and they're sticking with gas. They are shipping at diesel Volt abroad! EPA is shooting us in the foot if true.

 

[Andre]

Don't shoot the messenger but, there are some disturbing complications, known as the law of maintaining misery:

http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/front/detail/UN_rapporteur_calls_for_biofuel_moratorium.html?siteSect=105&sid=8305080&cKey=1192127505000&ty=st

http://news.theage.com.au/uk-mps-seek-moratorium-on-biofuels/20080121-1n6q.html

http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2207701/mps-call-biofuel-moratorium

Just so you know.

 

[mheslep]

Don't shoot the messenger but, there are some disturbing complications, known as the law of maintaining misery:

http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/front/detail/UN_rapporteur_calls_for_biofuel_moratorium.html?siteSect=105&sid=8305080&cKey=1192127505000&ty=st

http://news.theage.com.au/uk-mps-seek-moratorium-on-biofuels/20080121-1n6q.html

http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2207701/mps-call-biofuel-moratorium

Just so you know.

As I understand it this is a good thing for cellulosic and Ivan's Royal Dutch Standard Algae Oil Co., as these technologies don't (shouldn't?) compete with food crops.

 

[mheslep]

Based on the current technologies this doesn't sound unreasonable, but where did you get your numbers?



I don't know about the tank weight problem. If you mean using traditional tanks then it may not apply any longer. The rest of your post really applies to mass distribution from a centralized source, which is verboten in a H2 economy. But your point that there are hidden costs is entirely correct.

I should have said tank weight and size. Problem is that although H is #1 in energy per mass, its 4x worse than gasoline in energy per volume even in liquid form. Then because of the cryo or pressure containment safety requirements, so that even though the contained H has 3x the mass energy density of gasoline, the tank mass becomes unmanageable. [Digression]Thus the reason why liquid H is suitable for space rockets and not autos. The rocket, which never need sustain a side impact w/ an SUV, can have a very high volume, thin skinned and even ~poorly insulated tank that consequently has a very high fuel energy per mass[/Digression]

Numbers commonly available but this a good concise source: (table 5, pg 29)
The Future of the Hydrogen Economy - Part 2

I recall Chroot did some years of work in the area so I hope he'll comment.

 

[Andre]

As I understand it this is a good thing for cellulosic and Ivan's Royal Dutch Standard Algae Oil Co., as these technologies don't (shouldn't?) compete with food crops.

Right, definitely, the algae do not compete and it would give a good use to otherwise unproductive land areas like deserts. But how to get the free world trade market to discriminate between biofuels generated from algea and the biofuels generated from food crops?

If there is an increasing demand for a certain ware at good prices, it will become available from whatever source regardless of the effects. it will be very hard to have a world wide consensus on suppressing food-generated biofuels and encouraging algae biofuel at the same time.

 

[mheslep]

Right, definitely, the algae do not compete and it would give a good use to otherwise unproductive land areas like deserts. But how to get the free world trade market to discriminate between biofuels generated from algea and the biofuels generated from food crops?

If there is an increasing demand for a certain ware at good prices, it will become available from whatever source regardless of the effects. it will be very hard to have a world wide consensus on suppressing food-generated biofuels and encouraging algae biofuel at the same time.

Appears that's not an issue w/ the proposed EU ban. They want to throttle the supply side and not the demand. From your 1st source:

Ziegler's proposal for a five-year moratorium, which he plans to submit to the UN General Assembly on October 25, is aiming to ban the conversion of land for the production of biofuels.

and thus those out to buy and resell biofuel need have no care for the source. In any case its all a bit hypocritical - the govt. subsidies for farming in the 1st place (especially EU) terrifically drive up the price of food esp. for the poor and force poor farmers out of the market.

 

[DrClapeyron]

It is sickening how you have managed to take a science and turn it into a politcal cartoon. there is no world left for the poor misery of order after having viewed this thread. I am total astonished how you have all managed to go along with this; is this the new lieberstraum? Is this the master plan?

I am sorry to have to state again: what has this to do with Earth science?

Please put this in economics or engineering that way we may poke fun in its rightful category.

 

[Dale]

As I understand it this is a good thing for cellulosic and Ivan's Royal Dutch Standard Algae Oil Co., as these technologies don't (shouldn't?) compete with food crops.

As far as cellulosic ethanol goes, switchgrass should not compete with food crops for land nor should algae, but both will compete with food crops for water. I believe that some of the by-products of both cellulosic ethanol and algae should be useful for animal feed.

IMO, the impact on food crops is the single biggest problem with ethanol currently.

 

[Dale]

what has this to do with Earth science?

It is clearly relevant:

earth science -> global warming -> fossil fuel greenhouse emissions -> biofuels -> algae

 

[mheslep]

[Copied from political forum]

PF to the rescue
Algae to the rescue
Questions about a Hydrogen Economy; Scientific American -365 posts
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars

BTW hydrogen as a fuel is loser IMO. Biofuels or otherwise renewably generated hydrocarbons are the way to go.

I disagree. But I don't know what this has to do with Iran kicking our butts.
Ok. I do.
Anyways, I have family working on the H2 problems. I for one believe in hydrogen.

My taco shells just went up another 14 bucks for a box. Dinner for 4 in Mexico was 180 bucks. Really don't love that biofuel idea. It is just another reason for Brazil to burn the rainforest.

You are referring to E85 type fuels made from glucose crops like corn. Thats a dead end. As you can see quickly scanning up thread, the smart biofuels coming down the pike are algae or cellulose based. No competition for your tacos, no need to torch Brazil.

Also, the energy expended extracting oil and tar sands oil exceeds anything you've demonstrated in that chart.

Apples and oranges. Hydrogen is just an energy carrier. The energy has to come from somewhere: Hydrocarbons in the ground(esp natural gas), biofuels, renewables, nuclear, etc. The vast amount of H2 is most commonly made now from CH4 out of the ground. When someone talks about a H economy, its only meaningful in the sense that H is first made from one of the above energy sources and then transported/distributed to cars for example. Then as an energy transport mechanism, I claim H is a lousy choice as the chart shows. Its extremely costly to move around and to store, relative to CH4/oil/coal. It has to be compressed, or liquified, can't send it down existing pipelines and it leaks away from common storage mechanisms (small molecue). Just pump the biofuel around instead. You can still use your electric hybrid or fuel cell vehicle w/ bio hydrocarbon fuels.

 

[baywax]

[Copied from political forum]



You are referring to E85 type fuels made from glucose crops like corn. Thats a dead end. As you can see quickly scanning up thread, the smart biofuels coming down the pike are algae or cellulose based. No competition for your tacos, no need to torch Brazil.

Could someone please tell that to Mexico and Brazil. They think they're going to get rich on corn and more corn.

Apples and oranges. Hydrogen is just an energy carrier. The energy has to come from somewhere: Hydrocarbons in the ground(esp natural gas), biofuels, renewables, nuclear, etc. The vast amount of H2 is most commonly made now from CH4 out of the ground. When someone talks about a H economy, its only meaningful in the sense that H is first made from one of the above energy sources and then transported/distributed to cars for example. Then as an energy transport mechanism, I claim H is a lousy choice as the chart shows. Its extremely costly to move around and to store, relative to CH4/oil/coal. It has to be compressed, or liquified, can't send it down existing pipelines and it leaks away from common storage mechanisms (small molecue). Just pump the biofuel around instead. You can still use your electric hybrid or fuel cell vehicle w/ bio hydrocarbon fuels.

It is a popular misconception that we need to burn hydrogen to have a hydrogen economy. All we need is to pass hydrogen through a membrane to generate electricity. You need oxygen on the other side, creating an osmosis that draws the hydrogen through the membrane creating a friction that creates the charge.

Are we including the 4000 troop and 500,000 civilian/police etc deaths in Iraq (war for oil) in the energy expenditure that goes toward acquiring hydrocarbons? Do you see anyone starting a war based on a Fuel Cell driven economy?

Fuel Cell Technology has been around since the 1800s. For some rea$on, they've been kept way on the back burner.

Quote:
There are several different types of fuel cells, each using a different chemistry. Fuel cells are usually classified by their operating temperature and the type of electrolyte they use. Some types of fuel cells work well for use in stationary power generation plants. Others may be useful for small portable applications or for powering cars. The main types of fuel cells include:

Polymer exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)
The Department of Energy (DOE) is focusing on the PEMFC as the most likely candidate for transportation applications. The PEMFC has a high power density and a relatively low operating temperature (ranging from 60 to 80 degrees Celsius, or 140 to 176 degrees Fahrenheit). The low operating temperature means that it doesn't take very long for the fuel cell to warm up and begin generating electricity. We’ll take a closer look at the PEMFC in the next section.

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC)
These fuel cells are best suited for large-scale stationary power generators that could provide electricity for factories or towns. This type of fuel cell operates at very high temperatures (between 700 and 1,000 degrees Celsius). This high temperature makes reliability a problem, because parts of the fuel cell can break down after cycling on and off repeatedly. However, solid oxide fuel cells are very stable when in continuous use. In fact, the SOFC has demonstrated the longest operating life of any fuel cell under certain operating conditions. The high temperature also has an advantage: the steam produced by the fuel cell can be channeled into turbines to generate more electricity. This process is called co-generation of heat and power (CHP) and it improves the overall efficiency of the system.

Alkaline fuel cell (AFC)
This is one of the oldest designs for fuel cells; the United States space program has used them since the 1960s. The AFC is very susceptible to contamination, so it requires pure hydrogen and oxygen. It is also very expensive, so this type of fuel cell is unlikely to be commercialized.

Molten-carbonate fuel cell (MCFC)
Like the SOFC, these fuel cells are also best suited for large stationary power generators. They operate at 600 degrees Celsius, so they can generate steam that can be used to generate more power. They have a lower operating temperature than solid oxide fuel cells, which means they don't need such exotic materials. This makes the design a little less expensive.

Phosphoric-acid fuel cell (PAFC)
The phosphoric-acid fuel cell has potential for use in small stationary power-generation systems. It operates at a higher temperature than polymer exchange membrane fuel cells, so it has a longer warm-up time. This makes it unsuitable for use in cars.

Direct-methanol fuel cell (DMFC)
Methanol fuel cells are comparable to a PEMFC in regards to operating temperature, but are not as efficient. Also, the DMFC requires a relatively large amount of platinum to act as a catalyst, which makes these fuel cells expensive.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-cell1.htm