Argonne and H2fuel collaborate on hydrogen generator for fuel cells
Fuel cells – powered by hydrogen – have long been known to have great potential for transportation. As fuel cells grow in popularity as clean energy sources, the need for a ready supply of hydrogen fuel will also rise. To meet that need, scientists in Argonne's Chemical Technology Division have been working with H2fuel, LLC, as part of a cooperative research and development agreement.
The goal is to develop a compact, low-cost hydrogen generator incorporating technologies developed at the Chemical Technology Division. This device would convert commonly available fuels like gasoline, natural gas, propane and methanol into hydrogen gas for use in powering fuel cells, which in turn can power electric motors for use in a variety of applications, including automobiles.
Advantages of fuel cells include their ability to generate power more efficiently than internal combustion engines and other conventional power sources, while producing essentially no pollutants. More than two dozen companies are now developing polymer electrolyte fuel cells for such diverse applications as cars, trucks, campers, laptop computers, individual homes and small businesses.
One of the main barriers to commercialization, however, has been that most fuel cells require hydrogen gas to operate. At present, hydrogen is expensive and not readily available to consumers. Argonne's innovative fuel processing technology could very well eliminate that obstacle.
A new company, H2fuel was formed in January 2001 to commercialize fuel processors that generate low-cost hydrogen for fuel cells. It is a joint venture between Unitel Technologies in Mount Prospect, Illinois, and Avista Labs in Spokane, Washington.
According to Serge Randhava, President of H2fuel, "Our goal is to supply the smallest, most efficient, and least expensive fuel processor to the fuel cell industry. We will be a component supplier to any fuel cell system developer, and we are excited to have gained access to this breakthrough technology."
Argonne's Chemical Technology Division has been at the forefront of fuel cell and fuel processing research for more than two decades. With funding from the Department of Energy's Office of Advanced Automotive Technologies, a Chemical Technology Division team has been developing unique catalysts and reforming processes to be used in light-duty vehicles, like cars and small trucks, powered by fuel cells.
As part of the cooperative R&D agreement, H2fuel has built a fuel processor designed by Argonne's Chemical Technology Division. Subsequent testing demonstrated its fuel flexibility and excellent hydrogen-production capability. Through a series of catalytic reactions, this first-generation unit converted gasoline, pipeline natural gas and ethanol into a gas containing about 45 percent hydrogen. Over the next two years, H2fuel and Argonne's Chemical Technology Division will further improve this processor to the point where it is ready to enter the marketplace.
"Our pioneering investment in the development of fuel-flexible fuel processing technology for a variety of fuel cell applications is beginning to pay off," stated David Garman, the Department of Energy's assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Added JoAnn Milliken, DOE's manager of the national laboratory fuel cell R&D program, "Through the DOE fuel cells for transportation program, the national laboratories will continue to play a major role in overcoming the technical challenges for development of fuel cell technology."
The nation's first national laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory conducts basic and applied scientific research across a wide spectrum of disciplines, ranging from high-energy physics to climatology and biotechnology. Since 1990, Argonne has worked with more than 600 companies and numerous federal agencies and other organizations to help advance America's scientific leadership and prepare the nation for the future. Argonne is operated by the University of Chicago as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's national laboratory system.
For more information, please contact Catherine Foster (630/252-5580 or cfoster@anl.gov) at Argonne.
Source: Argonne National Laboratory