Setting up a Power Cell demonstration.

For an independant study, I am setting up demonstrations for Power Cell use. I have to have a demo that the kids can do in the lab. The instructor already has the equipment, any suggestions as to what to do with it? I need to write a proposal this weekend.

What's the frequency, Kenneth?

Supposedly, one of his fuel cell demonstation kits can run on either alcohol or hydrogen, while the rest are hydrogen-only. In practicality the Alcohol version is best, because alcohol is easier to store than compressed hydrogen.

Some fuel cells designed for Alcohol can also use Gasoline. The practical implication is that fueling stations would not need to change their facilities, and higher percentages of alcohol could be phased in which would still support older vehicles with internal combustion engines, reducing our dependance on fossil fuels.

The problem with Alcohol and Gasoline is that they are hydrocarbons, when the Hydrogen is used for power, something must be done with the Carbon. The best method is to convert it to Carbon Dioxide, which is non-toxic and good for vegitation, but still a greenhouse gas.

Some advantages of fuel cells exist even when used with hydrocarbons. For one, even fairly crude fuel cells are about twice as efficient for powering vehicles than piston-driven internal combustion engines. The cell itself can be three times as efficient, but some energy is lost to friction converting it back to mechanical energy through electric motors.

Another advantage that exist even when using hydrocarbons is that no Oxides of Notrogen or Carbon Monoxide is formed. These are the toxic products of engine exhaust, and the main reason why they are considered a better alternative than turbine/electric hybrids that can also be made as efficient.

Of course the "cool" factor is that they are virtually silent.

So anyway, I need to set up lab experiments for these students to perform using the equipement we have, which is composed of several demonstration kits. Any suggestions?

What's the frequency, Kenneth?

Maybe I could have them calculate the efficiency based on the volume of hydrogen used and the wattage of output? But I wouldn't know where to begin with that! Which is the type of help I need. These experiments have to be things someone with basic knowledge of math can perform in a two hour class period.

What's the frequency, Kenneth?

More like "watt" sized cells, these are sized for educational demonstrations. But I think I could show how much power was produced from a given amount of fuel, need ideas to set that up and any other ideas for simple experiments.

What's the frequency, Kenneth?

But how much energy is required to extract one pound of hydrogen from water?

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