German consortium to push for mass adoption of ethanol fuel cells
Often a step ahead in green technological developments, a consortium of leading German research groups is set to cooperate [*German] to promote the usage of bioethanol in fuel cells for power supply and heating.
Mannheim-based CropEnergies AG, the research and development department of major biofuel producer Südzucker AG, and several institutes of the Fraunhofer-Society, Europe's leading applied science research organisation, will collaborate on developing highly efficient direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFC, alternatively 'direct alcohol fuel cells', DAFC) that work on the liquid biofuel instead of hydrogen. The cells under development work on ethanol without the need for prior reforming of the fuel.
Fuel cells are seen by many as the future technology for the power supply of electrical appliances. They have crucial advantages compared to competing technologies, such as their high operating efficiency even at partial load, the marginal noise and pollution emissions, the long operational life thanks to energy-rich fuels, the ease with which they can be refilled, and the independence of power and energy content. Therefore, forecasts show high growth rates in the fuel cell market in the next few years.
Earlier we referred to several research initiatives related to the use of ethanol in DEFCs (here, here and in the U.S., here), including its first-ever test in a small vehicle (earlier post). The areas of application of bioethanol fuel cells range from portable appliances such as mobile phones, on-board energy supply of trucks, busses or automobiles and leisure/ camping appliances to block heat and power plants which – among other things – can supply houses with energy.
Bioethanol is well suited for being used in fuel cells and is much more likely to see a wide-scale adoption than hydrogen, the gas that is difficult to produce, store and distribute. Made from renewable resources, ethanol it is climate friendly and a sustainable energy source that can be traded physically on the international market. Furthermore, considerable experience in handling bioethanol as well as the existing supply chain can help to establish fuel cells in mass markets permanently.
Central to the development of the DEFC is a membrane that should be impermeable for ethanol molecules, but that has to be able to allow the protons that are needed for the reaction with oxygen to pass through. Unwanted cross-over effects occur during this proton exchange: part of the ethanol does penetrate the membrane at the cathode and can thus no longer be used for the reaction. The Fraunhofer Institute's goal is now to develop special anorganic components in the membrane that will block the ethanol, without stopping the flow of the necessary protons. New catalysts that are adapted to the properties of ethanol are the main focus of the research. The design of the DEFC cell must also ensure that these new catalysts and membranes function optimally under the high temperatures that arise during the reaction.
So why do the researchers focus on ethanol and not on hydrogen as a fuel? "Ethanol is a much more versatile and better energy carrier [than both hydrogen and methanol]", says Michael Krausa who heads the research at the Fraunhofer Institute's dept. for Chemical Technologies:
energy :: sustainability :: hydrogen :: ethanol :: biomass :: bioenergy :: biofuels :: direct ethanol fuel cell :: direct alcohol fuel cell :: Germany ::
Ethanol has a higher energy density than methanol and is already widely used and accepted in numerous industries and by the public at large. In contrast to methanol, it is also non-toxic. Ethanol is being produced more and more from biomass, with the industry becoming a global market. Moreover, DEFCs can be used as mobile energy systems or in decentralised concepts.
As one of the biggest European bioethanol producers, CropEnergies AG will actively participate in the further development of these bioethanol fuel cells. To this effect, a research cooperation with the Südzucker AG and several institutes of the Fraunhofer Society which are the Fraunhofer-Team Direct-Ethanol-Fuel-Cell, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS) has been started.
CropEnergies AG produces bioethanol from local renewable resources which is used as fuel for automobiles and in this way guarantees lasting mobility and at the same time contributes to the climate protection.
The Fraunhofer Society is the leading organisation for applied science in Europe. Its science is application-oriented to be used directly in companies and for the benefit of the society.
Südzucker AG Mannheim/Ochsenfurt specialises on the large-scale manufacturing of agricultural products and their commercialisation. The research activities are concentrated on the development of high- quality food products and technical applications.
Picture: the key to the successful development of direct ethanol fuel cells is in the special membrane. Credit: Fraunhofer IGB
References:
CropEnergies AG: CropEnergies AG, Südzucker AG und Fraunhofer-Institute entwickeln Bioethanol-Brennstoffzellen - May 3, 2007.
Biopact: Interview: University of Offenburg demonstrates world's first 'Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell' - May 28, 2007
Biopact: Fraunhofer scientists develop ethanol fuel cells - October 11, 2006
Biopact: Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells - past the hydrogen economy? - February 18, 2005
Biopact: U.S. scientist and army working on direct ethanol fuel cells - October 15, 2006
Mannheim-based CropEnergies AG, the research and development department of major biofuel producer Südzucker AG, and several institutes of the Fraunhofer-Society, Europe's leading applied science research organisation, will collaborate on developing highly efficient direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFC, alternatively 'direct alcohol fuel cells', DAFC) that work on the liquid biofuel instead of hydrogen. The cells under development work on ethanol without the need for prior reforming of the fuel.
Fuel cells are seen by many as the future technology for the power supply of electrical appliances. They have crucial advantages compared to competing technologies, such as their high operating efficiency even at partial load, the marginal noise and pollution emissions, the long operational life thanks to energy-rich fuels, the ease with which they can be refilled, and the independence of power and energy content. Therefore, forecasts show high growth rates in the fuel cell market in the next few years.
Earlier we referred to several research initiatives related to the use of ethanol in DEFCs (here, here and in the U.S., here), including its first-ever test in a small vehicle (earlier post). The areas of application of bioethanol fuel cells range from portable appliances such as mobile phones, on-board energy supply of trucks, busses or automobiles and leisure/ camping appliances to block heat and power plants which – among other things – can supply houses with energy.
Bioethanol is well suited for being used in fuel cells and is much more likely to see a wide-scale adoption than hydrogen, the gas that is difficult to produce, store and distribute. Made from renewable resources, ethanol it is climate friendly and a sustainable energy source that can be traded physically on the international market. Furthermore, considerable experience in handling bioethanol as well as the existing supply chain can help to establish fuel cells in mass markets permanently.
Central to the development of the DEFC is a membrane that should be impermeable for ethanol molecules, but that has to be able to allow the protons that are needed for the reaction with oxygen to pass through. Unwanted cross-over effects occur during this proton exchange: part of the ethanol does penetrate the membrane at the cathode and can thus no longer be used for the reaction. The Fraunhofer Institute's goal is now to develop special anorganic components in the membrane that will block the ethanol, without stopping the flow of the necessary protons. New catalysts that are adapted to the properties of ethanol are the main focus of the research. The design of the DEFC cell must also ensure that these new catalysts and membranes function optimally under the high temperatures that arise during the reaction.
So why do the researchers focus on ethanol and not on hydrogen as a fuel? "Ethanol is a much more versatile and better energy carrier [than both hydrogen and methanol]", says Michael Krausa who heads the research at the Fraunhofer Institute's dept. for Chemical Technologies:
energy :: sustainability :: hydrogen :: ethanol :: biomass :: bioenergy :: biofuels :: direct ethanol fuel cell :: direct alcohol fuel cell :: Germany ::
Ethanol has a higher energy density than methanol and is already widely used and accepted in numerous industries and by the public at large. In contrast to methanol, it is also non-toxic. Ethanol is being produced more and more from biomass, with the industry becoming a global market. Moreover, DEFCs can be used as mobile energy systems or in decentralised concepts.
As one of the biggest European bioethanol producers, CropEnergies AG will actively participate in the further development of these bioethanol fuel cells. To this effect, a research cooperation with the Südzucker AG and several institutes of the Fraunhofer Society which are the Fraunhofer-Team Direct-Ethanol-Fuel-Cell, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS) has been started.
CropEnergies AG produces bioethanol from local renewable resources which is used as fuel for automobiles and in this way guarantees lasting mobility and at the same time contributes to the climate protection.
The Fraunhofer Society is the leading organisation for applied science in Europe. Its science is application-oriented to be used directly in companies and for the benefit of the society.
Südzucker AG Mannheim/Ochsenfurt specialises on the large-scale manufacturing of agricultural products and their commercialisation. The research activities are concentrated on the development of high- quality food products and technical applications.
Picture: the key to the successful development of direct ethanol fuel cells is in the special membrane. Credit: Fraunhofer IGB
References:
CropEnergies AG: CropEnergies AG, Südzucker AG und Fraunhofer-Institute entwickeln Bioethanol-Brennstoffzellen - May 3, 2007.
Biopact: Interview: University of Offenburg demonstrates world's first 'Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell' - May 28, 2007
Biopact: Fraunhofer scientists develop ethanol fuel cells - October 11, 2006
Biopact: Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells - past the hydrogen economy? - February 18, 2005
Biopact: U.S. scientist and army working on direct ethanol fuel cells - October 15, 2006
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