Water: Future of Fuel

Introduction

  

Those were the days when people dream of flying in the sky like a bird, thought to be impossible at that time is now a reality. Similar to the dreams is the dream of using water as fuel. Most of we often dream of if only we could use water as a fuel, we would have change the world forever. Well it seems that it is turning into the reality. Engineers are making breakthrough in using the water as fuel. Water power technology is the emerging tech that is making this dream come true. Water itself is not a fuel but an energy carrier, in this tech, the water is first split into the H2 and O2, which can be used to generate electricity from the electricity generators called fuel cells or these when combusted in the burner gives thrusts for the space vehicles and aircrafts. The electricity generated is also used in driving the electric motor in the Fuel Cell Vehicle. The water power technology is a new frontier by some of the projects and initiatives to the world. Let’s take a look at them.

Electrolysis Propulsion System

The EPS is being developed by the group of students at the Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering of Cornell University, guided by former senior official at NASA and associate professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, |Mason Peck for the competition ‘The Cube Quest Challenge’ being held by NASA for mission to orbit Moon. The Propulsion System will power the small low orbit Cube-Sats: The group call themselves ‘Cis-lunar Explorers’

Cis-lunar Explorer’s design is powered by water, making way to NASA Cube Quest Challenge. The challenge offers $5 million to the winner. The candidate designs are judged by the qualities and capabilities under the four ground tournament. Cis-lunar team has already made it to the top 3 Including first place in Tournament 2. The top three designs will ride on NASA’s Space Launch System in 2018. If this spacecraft successful in orbiting moon, this will be first to demonstrate propelling capability of water. The success will be a giant step in space exploration of future.

Space exploration would be much simplified as the readily available water on moons, asteroid will refuel our Rockets. We don’t have to carry bulky fuel tanks from earth. We will have already available fuel like in the fuel stations of vehicle here on earth, allowing us to explore deeper in the space.

How it works

The system works on hydrogen and oxygen generated by the electrolysis of water hence the name electrolysis propulsion system. It is an arrangement of solar cells, water electrolysis zone, combustor and expansion nozzle. The power for the splitting of water is supplied by the solar cells, water in the presence of electrolyte are electrolyzed in the water tank producing H2 and O2. The gases are separated and allowed to pass to burner and burnt there. The exhaust when expands through the nozzle propels the spacecraft forward. Centrifugal force separates the gases from water in the space. 

                                         Credit: Cornell University

 

 Fuel Cell Technology;

Fuel cell is a device that converts chemical energy of fuels into electricity by electro-chemical reaction. The fuel it uses is Hydrogen that is supplied to the cell along with the oxygen. The Fuel cell namely Proton Exchange Member (PEM) Fuel Cells consists of the Membrane Electrode Assemblies which includes electrodes, electrolyte, catalyst and gas diffusion layers. The electrolyte is special polymer membrane which is a solid state whereas the electrodes are the hot pressed carbon paper by the side of the polymer membrane and the catalyst are sprayed in the solid polymer membrane.

Hydrogen when supplied at the anode releases electrons and protons by the action of catalysts. The electrons travel through the external circuit forming the electric current and used in many ways, while the protons (H+ ions) penetrate through the electrolyte and passes to the cathode for reduction with O2. At the same time oxygen is supplied to the cathode, where the free electrons arriving from external circuit and proton permeated through the electrolyte combine with O2 to form water molecules.

Reactions

                                                  

                                         Credit: Toyota Fuel cell Reaction

 This fuel cell tech is used by the Toyota in its new environmental friendly vehicle ‘Mirai’ which runs on electricity generated by the cell. The generated electricity also can be used in the variety of ways in our daily activities. Hence, can solve our energy problem here on earth dramatically.

Existing Challenge;

Water power is emerging technology to solve energy problem of planet as well as making space exploration much easier in future to come. It is clean environmental friendly with no GHG emission, but energy to split water is costly and more than the energy that can be obtain after and not an environmental friendly process which is the limitation of the tech. In the photo-catalytic water splitting, catalyst is major problem. The catalyst like platinum is more expensive and hence commercialization has yet a problem. A good catalyst has the potential to overcome this limitation. Scientists are working to find out such a catalyst, in order to obtain hydrogen more reliably, efficiently and cheaply from water.

Impact of Water Power Technology to Nepal;

Nepal is a water rich country. The water is clean, abundant and easily available almost everywhere in the country. The Water Power Technology could solve our energy dependent problem on the neighbor Country. We would be able to produce our own energy independently that addresses almost every sector of our National Energy Demand from automobiles, aviation to electricity. This independency means Self-content and better economic growth. The aviation would be more cheaper making independency in import, export and in Travelling. As every sector of National Development is powered by the Energy, such an Energy solution can dramatically change living of people in landlocked country like Nepal.