FUE317B
Tutorial 2 Memo
02 September 2024
Lecturer: Dr. Bopape
1.1. Explore the concept “Energy security” in relation to Fuel Technology module.
Answer
As the world population grows and fossil fuel energy supplies gradually decline, the world’s
energy supply may not meet the increasing demands or sustainable environmental targets.
Therefore, there is an increasing need to ensure future energy security and a sustainable
environment in many countries. Energy security is defined as ‘‘the uninterrupted availability of
energy sources at an affordable price”
Fossil fuel energy sources: Petroleum oil and coal
Alternative energy sources: Renewable energy, including fuel cells and hydrogen technologies.
Many countries have made efforts to develop a low-carbon economy and green industries as
long-term objectives in order to ensure an energy supply that aligns with their economic
development and sustainable environment goals. There are two ways to achieve a low-carbon
economy: One is to increase the share of green energy to meet increasing energy demands and
mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by reducing fossil fuel dependency; the other is to
save energy and reduce emissions by increasing the efficiency of existing energy systems.
1.2. Limitations associated with Fossil fuels?
Answer
Drilling
Disrupts Earth’s natural strata
Threat of producing sinkholes
Possibility of water contamination
Oil spills
Destroy environment
Kills Wildlife
Expensive to clean-up
Environment is damaged, usually coastline wildlife losses are high.
Most of the oil is never recovered (usually only 10-20%) can be salvaged.
Oil sinks to seafloor, killing important decomposers, natural balance is interrupted.
Oil is eventually decomposed by marine organisms, however, it could enter the food chain of
ocean wildlife, possible human contamination threat.
Agricultural land may be damaged irreversibly
Coal
1.3. Briefly explain Fuel Cell technology and how it is related to Hydrogen technology.
Answer
• Fuel cells - an energy conversion device that continuously converts chemical energy in a fuel into
electrical energy, as long as both the fuel and oxidant are available.
• In essence, a fuel cell consists of three adjacent segments, namely, the anode, electrolyte, and
cathode.
• When hydrogen gas is oxidized electrochemically in a fuel cell system, it generates pure water as
a by-product, emitting no carbon dioxide.
• Based on the type of electrolyte used, fuel cells can be categorized into alkaline fuel cells (AFCs),
PEMFCs, phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFCs), molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs), and solid
oxide fuel cells (SOFCs).
• How do fuel cells work?
• The hydrogen atoms enter the anode.
• The atoms are stripped of their electrons in the anode.
• The positively charged protons pass through the membrane to the cathode and the
negatively charged electrons are forced through a circuit, generating electricity.
• After passing through the circuit, the electrons combine with the protons and oxygen from
the air to generate the fuel cell’s byproducts: water and heat.
1.4. Based on the different types of fuel cells, list a variety of applications where the
cells can be applied to.
Answer
PEMFC
Electric vehicle, submarine and mobile power source
PAFC
Regional power supply
MFC and SOF
Power station
AFC
Special ground and aerospace
1.5. Hydrogen technology is an umbrella concept describing technologies utilized
during the progress of hydrogen generation, hydrogen storage, hydrogen
transportation, and hydrogen application. In relation to hydrogen generation and
storage, list the two common technologies utilized for large scale production
Answer
Hydrogen generation
• Water electrolysis
• Methanol reforming
Hydrogen storage
Hydrogen can be stored in three different ways:
• As a gas under high pressures
• In liquid form under cryogenic temperatures
• On the surface of or within solid and liquid materials
