Hydrogen Fuel Cells: A hydrogen cell is a device that produces an electric current by combining a fuel (such as hydrogen) with oxygen. With water and heat as its by product. In its simplest form a fuel cell consists of two electrodes, an anode and a cathode. Between the anode and cathode is an electrolyte. That reaction is enough to produce an electric current. A single fuel cell can produce about 0.7 watts of power. In our case because ours were connected to a solar panel, our fuel cells produced about 1.5 watts of power. This amount of power was enough to power a small car (small being only about a foot long).
Solar Panels: Solar panels are devices that convert light into usable electricity. The most common light source for most solar panels is the Sun. A solar panel is a panel that is covered with many solar cells. The more light that hits all of the solar cells, the more electricity is produced. They can be used to create an electric current or heat. Solar panels these days are fairly costly to put up but in the long run will lower your electric bills. Reasons being is that creates its own electricity and it is pretty efficient. So overall solar panels are efficient and a good energy harnessing device.
Series & Parallel Circuits: A series circuit consists of one continuous path for the current to flow through. That means that if one part of the circuit is cut or stops working than the whole series circuit will stop working. For example, if one light on a strand of Christmas lights goes out than all the lights will go out. A parallel circuit on the other hand has multiple paths for current to flow through. This means that if one part of the circuit is cut or stops working, the current flow will be cut just to that one section instead of the whole circuit.
Reflection: Overall i think this project was a success. We designed, built and tested a working prototype. This prototype was a car that could run off of a charged hydrogen fuel cell. My group was Aiden, Brad and Me. Aiden pretty much took over when it came to building or constructed the car. Our design was to have two small wheels in the back that were connected to the motor. As the motor would spin (powered by the fuel cell), it would spin the back wheels which would push the two wheels in the front of the car. We were the first group done building our car and it worked on our first couple tests. After the car was done being built we needed to take measurements of the voltage, current and power and make a few calculations. Brad and I worked together on taking all of the measurements with the multi meter (with help from Ms.Harlan). We didn't completely finish the measurements and calculations but we got most of them done. So in the end we accomplished the task at hand and finished most of the activities.
Activity 1.3.1 Solar Hydrogen System – VEX
This activity was written to be used with the Heliocentris fuel cell. If you are using the fuel cells from a different manufacturer, refer to that manufacturer’s instructions to be sure that the equipment is used as designed.
1. Read the Fuel Cell User Guide.
2. Follow the directions in the Fuel Cell User Guide under the section Preparing the Fuel Cell for Use.
Circuit Schematics
3. Shine a bright light source on the solar panel, always keeping at least 8 inches of separation between the two to avoid melting the solar module plastic.
Set your multimeter to measure voltage and connect the multimeter test leads to the solar panel terminals. Move the solar panel or light source to determine the location that produces the highest voltage value. You may want to mark the positions with some tape. Record the open-circuit voltage. Note the current is zero, since a voltmeter has nearly infinite resistance.
VOC = Open-Circuit Voltage _____1.54 volts_____
Power = VOC x 0 A = 0 W
4. With the test leads disconnected, set your multimeter to measure current. Return the solar module to the same exact position that produced the highest voltage value and measure the current. Record this short-circuit current. Note that the voltage is zero, since an ammeter has nearly zero resistance.
ISC = Short-Circuit Current _____.144 amps_____
Power = 0 V x ISC = 0 W
5. Calculate the amount of power that would be produced by the solar module if it could simultaneously produce the voltage and current you measured in the previous two steps.
For this illumination level, the solar module will deliver, at most, about 70% of this theoretical maximum, and will do so at a resistance between zero and infinite resistance.
Maximum Theoretical Power = VOC x ISC = ___.22176 watts____
6. Attach the solar panel to the solar hydrogen automobile. Using a standoff or another suitable method, prop up one end of the chassis so that the motor-driven wheel is not in contact with the ground. Connect the motor leads to the solar module using the breadboard to make the connections. Position the light source to produce maximum voltage leaving a minimum distance of 8 inches between solar module and the lamp. Is there enough power to turn the motor? If so, is there enough power to turn the motor with the wheels on the ground? ____yes_____
7. Set your multimeter to measure voltage. Connect the multimeter test leads to the solar module terminals. Record the load voltage value.(Drive gear should be engaged)
V = Load Voltage _____.76 volts_____
8. Disconnect the test leads and set your multimeter to measure current. Connect the multimeter in series with the solar module. Record the load current.
I = Load Current = ____24 amps______
9. Calculate the power delivered by the solar module when it is loaded by the motor with the wheels off the ground.
P = Load Power = I V = _____18.24 watts_____ for solar module.
10. Energize the fuel cell by using one of the power sources according to the directions in the Fuel Cell User Guide under the section Powering the Fuel Cell (Electrolysis).
Fuel cells can be damaged by high current. If using a DC power supply with the Heliocentris fuel cell, do not use more than 500 mA. Do not use a battery to energize the fuel cell.
11. After the fuel cell is energized, attach the fuel cell to the motor using the breadboard to make the connections. Is there enough power to turn the motor? If so, is there enough power to turn the motor with the wheels on the ground? ___yes___
12. With the test leads disconnected, set the multimeter to measure voltage. Connect the multimeter test leads to the fuel cell terminals. Record the voltage value.
V = Load Voltage ____1.3 volts______
13. With the test leads disconnected, set the multimeter to measure 10 A current, using the 10 A meter receptacle. Connect the test leads in series with the fuel cell.
Caution! Never measure current from the fuel cell without a resistor, motor, or other load in series with the ammeter. Doing so can permanently damage the fuel cell.
Record the current value.
Load Current = ____.12 amps______
14. Calculate the power delivered by the fuel cell.
P = Load Power = I V = ______.156 watts____ for fuel cell.
15. Remove the fuel cell and solar module and attach the two AAA battery holders to your vehicle using zip ties. Using the breadboard, connect the batteries in series with each other and with the motor. (See next step for wiring hints.) Is there enough power to turn the motor? If so, is there enough power to turn the motor with the wheels on the ground? __yes____
This activity was written to be used with the Heliocentris fuel cell. If you are using the fuel cells from a different manufacturer, refer to that manufacturer’s instructions to be sure that the equipment is used as designed.
1. Read the Fuel Cell User Guide.
2. Follow the directions in the Fuel Cell User Guide under the section Preparing the Fuel Cell for Use.
Circuit Schematics
3. Shine a bright light source on the solar panel, always keeping at least 8 inches of separation between the two to avoid melting the solar module plastic.
Set your multimeter to measure voltage and connect the multimeter test leads to the solar panel terminals. Move the solar panel or light source to determine the location that produces the highest voltage value. You may want to mark the positions with some tape. Record the open-circuit voltage. Note the current is zero, since a voltmeter has nearly infinite resistance.
VOC = Open-Circuit Voltage _____1.54 volts_____
Power = VOC x 0 A = 0 W
4. With the test leads disconnected, set your multimeter to measure current. Return the solar module to the same exact position that produced the highest voltage value and measure the current. Record this short-circuit current. Note that the voltage is zero, since an ammeter has nearly zero resistance.
ISC = Short-Circuit Current _____.144 amps_____
Power = 0 V x ISC = 0 W
5. Calculate the amount of power that would be produced by the solar module if it could simultaneously produce the voltage and current you measured in the previous two steps.
For this illumination level, the solar module will deliver, at most, about 70% of this theoretical maximum, and will do so at a resistance between zero and infinite resistance.
Maximum Theoretical Power = VOC x ISC = ___.22176 watts____
6. Attach the solar panel to the solar hydrogen automobile. Using a standoff or another suitable method, prop up one end of the chassis so that the motor-driven wheel is not in contact with the ground. Connect the motor leads to the solar module using the breadboard to make the connections. Position the light source to produce maximum voltage leaving a minimum distance of 8 inches between solar module and the lamp. Is there enough power to turn the motor? If so, is there enough power to turn the motor with the wheels on the ground? ____yes_____
7. Set your multimeter to measure voltage. Connect the multimeter test leads to the solar module terminals. Record the load voltage value.(Drive gear should be engaged)
V = Load Voltage _____.76 volts_____
8. Disconnect the test leads and set your multimeter to measure current. Connect the multimeter in series with the solar module. Record the load current.
I = Load Current = ____24 amps______
9. Calculate the power delivered by the solar module when it is loaded by the motor with the wheels off the ground.
P = Load Power = I V = _____18.24 watts_____ for solar module.
10. Energize the fuel cell by using one of the power sources according to the directions in the Fuel Cell User Guide under the section Powering the Fuel Cell (Electrolysis).
Fuel cells can be damaged by high current. If using a DC power supply with the Heliocentris fuel cell, do not use more than 500 mA. Do not use a battery to energize the fuel cell.
11. After the fuel cell is energized, attach the fuel cell to the motor using the breadboard to make the connections. Is there enough power to turn the motor? If so, is there enough power to turn the motor with the wheels on the ground? ___yes___
12. With the test leads disconnected, set the multimeter to measure voltage. Connect the multimeter test leads to the fuel cell terminals. Record the voltage value.
V = Load Voltage ____1.3 volts______
13. With the test leads disconnected, set the multimeter to measure 10 A current, using the 10 A meter receptacle. Connect the test leads in series with the fuel cell.
Caution! Never measure current from the fuel cell without a resistor, motor, or other load in series with the ammeter. Doing so can permanently damage the fuel cell.
Record the current value.
Load Current = ____.12 amps______
14. Calculate the power delivered by the fuel cell.
P = Load Power = I V = ______.156 watts____ for fuel cell.
15. Remove the fuel cell and solar module and attach the two AAA battery holders to your vehicle using zip ties. Using the breadboard, connect the batteries in series with each other and with the motor. (See next step for wiring hints.) Is there enough power to turn the motor? If so, is there enough power to turn the motor with the wheels on the ground? __yes____
Conclusion
1. Using the measurements you made, compare and relate the four options you explored. Was the car best powered by a single fuel cell, a single solar module, two AAA batteries in series, or two AAA batteries in parallel?
Our group was not able to record the data from the AAA batteries, but between the fuel cell and the solar moduale, the solar moduale created more power to move the car.
2. Did voltage, current, or power best describe the suitability of a power source?
The power best descrides each of the power sources because the power was the output force of each source.
3. If you had many solar modules, how many of them would be needed to get the same performance from the car as the performance observed with two AAA batteries? Describe or sketch how would you connect the solar modules in terms of parallel and series circuits.
We were not able to test the car with the AAA batteries due to lack of batteries.
4. If you had many fuel cells, how many of them would be needed to get the same performance from the car as the performance observed with two AAA batteries? Describe or sketch how would you connect the fuel cells in terms of parallel and series circuits.
Again, we were not able to use the AAA batteries to be able to compare to the fuel cell.
5. Describe and defend a system that you believe would best utilize a solar hydrogen system to meet the needs for an average driver.
I feel that if we could utilize the power of the sun and use the hydrogen cells on a bigger scale that cars could be way more efficient and enviormental friendly.
6. How does a photovoltaic cell work? Record the source of your information.
They convert light into electricity at the atomic level. They absorb photons of light and release electrons creating an electric current.
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2002/solarcells/
7. Detail how electrolysis separates hydrogen and oxygen. How is electricity produced as the fuel cell allows the hydrogen to reunite in a bond with oxygen? Record the source of your information.
Electricity is put into water through an anode and cathode. This is able to separate the hydrogen molecules from the oxygen molecules by attracting the hydrogen to the cathode and the oxygen to the anode.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
1. Using the measurements you made, compare and relate the four options you explored. Was the car best powered by a single fuel cell, a single solar module, two AAA batteries in series, or two AAA batteries in parallel?
Our group was not able to record the data from the AAA batteries, but between the fuel cell and the solar moduale, the solar moduale created more power to move the car.
2. Did voltage, current, or power best describe the suitability of a power source?
The power best descrides each of the power sources because the power was the output force of each source.
3. If you had many solar modules, how many of them would be needed to get the same performance from the car as the performance observed with two AAA batteries? Describe or sketch how would you connect the solar modules in terms of parallel and series circuits.
We were not able to test the car with the AAA batteries due to lack of batteries.
4. If you had many fuel cells, how many of them would be needed to get the same performance from the car as the performance observed with two AAA batteries? Describe or sketch how would you connect the fuel cells in terms of parallel and series circuits.
Again, we were not able to use the AAA batteries to be able to compare to the fuel cell.
5. Describe and defend a system that you believe would best utilize a solar hydrogen system to meet the needs for an average driver.
I feel that if we could utilize the power of the sun and use the hydrogen cells on a bigger scale that cars could be way more efficient and enviormental friendly.
6. How does a photovoltaic cell work? Record the source of your information.
They convert light into electricity at the atomic level. They absorb photons of light and release electrons creating an electric current.
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2002/solarcells/
7. Detail how electrolysis separates hydrogen and oxygen. How is electricity produced as the fuel cell allows the hydrogen to reunite in a bond with oxygen? Record the source of your information.
Electricity is put into water through an anode and cathode. This is able to separate the hydrogen molecules from the oxygen molecules by attracting the hydrogen to the cathode and the oxygen to the anode.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/