Battery Vs Fuel Cell

Comparison Between BEV (battery electric vehicle) and FCV (Fuel cell vehicle)
The alternative vehicles like gasoline-powered hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), PHEV, BEV, FCEV’s making impact on low or no-emissions vehicles in the market for future. The combination of bio-fuels, electric and fuel cell vehicles will reduce the emissions and as well consumption of oil. Moreover it will be ultimate solution for all three problems i.e. 3E’s (Energy-Environ-Economic). Still ICE modifications needed or to be replace by electric or battery cars in order to reduce substantially GHG emissions. FC or battery should store the energy and able to deliver max amount of energy at the desired power density by smallest possible weight and volume. Terms used in FC or battery are storage capacity, energy density, power density (watts/kg), voltage efficiencies, life time, etc. The comparison made the manufacturing and refueling costs of a BEV and a FCV capable of delivering HP and driving certain distance.

Both fuel cell and batteries need energy to generate electricity, FC – energy from Hydrogen stored or on-board production will supply electricity in the vehicle, whereas batteries will get energy stored from electricity grid by charging.

Percentage of new cars sold over the 21st century for the hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) scenario, showing the mixture of gasoline internal combustion engine vehicles (ICV), followed by gasoline-powered hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), (cellulosic) ethanol-powered plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and finally the hydrogen-powered FCEV.

Two main factors are important while comparsion made between FC and BEV, for FC the hydrogen production and effeciency of the process is the main factor in deciding the cost and out put power density. Considering renewable H2 producion then we should specify what type and efficency value, for eg. wind energy integrated with electrolyser might not efficient incomparsion with Battery as mentioned in the literature, if you consider other alternatives like natural gas reforming to produce H2 with 75-80 % reforming efficiency then the final output effeciency would be much greater than Battery. At the moment the BEV performs much better in terms cost, durability, manufacturing, charging, etc. FC face many challenges in order to compete with BEV and in order to eneter commercialization in next 10-20 years, one major advantage in case FCV is refuelling time is very short comapred to rechargin time (many hours).

A compressed hydrogen powering a fuel cell can provide electricity to a vehicle traction motor with five times more energy per unit mass than current NiMH batteries used in most gasoline HEV, and two times more than advanced Lithium-ion batteries but H2 FC exhibits have low energy per volume (liter) comapred to abtteries or BEV. For shotr range distance less than 250-300 miles a BEV much better option comapred to FCV, but abover 400 km the FCV is advantageous for long range distances it gives much higher efficiencies than BEV.

Fuel cell electric vehicles are superior to advanced lithiumion
full function battery electric vehicles, since the fuel
cell EV: weighs less, takes up less space on the vehicle, generates less greenhouse gases in most of the US
costs less (lower vehicle costs and life-cycle costs), requires less well-to-wheels natural gas or biomass
energy, takes much less time to refuel.
Battery electric vehicles have three advantages compared to
fuel cell EVs: lower fuel cost per kilometer, less well-to-wheels wind or solar energy per kilometer, greater access to fueling capability initially.

Source of Information:
Fuel cell and battery electric vehicles compared by C.E. Thomas*
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 34, 2009, 6005-6020.
H2Gen Innovations, Inc., 4740 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia, 22304, USA.

A cost comparison of fuel-cell and batterynext term electric vehicles by Stephen Eaves and James Eaves*
Journal of Power Sources, Volume 130, Issues 1-2, 3 May 2004, Pages 208-212

A new generation of catalysts

A new generation of catalysts

09 February 2010
Researchers at Delft University of Technology, [Juan-Alcañiz et al., Journal of Catalysis (2010), 269, 221] have reported the synthesis of a new class of porous solids with outstanding bi-functional catalytic activity.

Added to this the simple one-pot synthesis is also proving more favourable over the usual multi-step preparation procedures more commonly found.

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted the attention of scientists all around the world during the last decade, resulting in an unprecedented explosion of publications on the topic. The combination of organic and inorganic subunits on fully crystalline porous materials has led to a vast chemical versatility, giving rise to more than 10,000 MOF structures.

Considering the vast number of structures discovered, only a few applications have been investigated fully, attention has focused on discovering new structures together with the characterization and identification of new and novel properties such as luminescence, magnetic properties, gas storage, and adsorptive separation.

The group at Delft successfully developed a procedure for the direct encapsulation of polyoxometalates (POMs) into MIL-101(Cr). The addition of phosphotungstic acid (PTA) to the synthesis mixture of MIL-101 leads to the direct encapsulation of chromium-containing polyoxometalates (POMs) inside the MOF structure with a good distribution over the MIL-101 crystals.

These new catalysts show the highest activities reported to date at 313 K for the Knoevenagel condensation of benzaldehyde with ethyl cyanoacetate when using apolar toluene as solvent as well as when using polar DMF and ethanol, with TOFs exceeding 600 h−1. In addition, they exhibit a remarkable activity in two acid-catalyzed reactions, the esterification of n-butanol with acetic acid in liquid phase slurry operation and the dimethyl ether production from methanol in a fixed bed gas phase operation.

Source:

OCC poll for 15 players

Oulu Cricket Club (OCC) Official Start 2010

OCC cricket club (Northern part of Finland) offcial start on 28th June at 6:00pm till 8:00pm and 2nd session on 30th June 3:00 pm to 5:00pm

Oulu: A technology hub of Europe

Oulu is 4th biggest city of Finland. Oulu is a technology hub of Europe. In this time of digital revolution, Oulu has firmly established itself as one of the world’s most significant centers in high technology, especially in the fields of Information and Communications Technology, Clean Technology and Biotechnology. Oulu offers a vibrant mix of business, research, and education that continually inspires new companies and products towards success in the world market. More than 800 high technology businesses have chosen to set up their operations in the region, including Nokia, Nokia Siemens Networks, Polar, F-Secure, Wipro and Pulse.
Oulu is often recognized as a young, creative and entrepreneurial city in a dynamic, growing region. The reasons are solid and varied, but the theme that most often tops the list is this—the workforce. As international studies demonstrate, the Finnish educational system is among the best in the world. 32.8 % of Oulu area residents aged 15 and over hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Diverse, adaptable, highly trained and readily available—Oulu is recognized worldwide for the knowledge and quality of its workforce.
The high-standard of research by universities and research institutions – such as Bio Center Oulu and Center for Internet Excellence – and R&D carried out by companies is also at the origin of the region´s success. As a result of the emphasis placed on future-oriented sciences, a substantial number of high tech start-ups have emerged in the Oulu region and high tech corporations have experienced rapid growth and reached notable success in global markets. Innovation is all about communicating actively on new ideas and viewpoints. Continuous cooperation and communication between the research and business community, is pervasive in Oulu. Education and research renews itself constantly, because future businesses lean on new innovations and technologies. Oulu is fast growing city, and oulu airport is the 2nd busiest airport in Finland.
In Oulu, the cost structure is fair and competitive.
More here globalconnexus.net/blog

Urbanization have positive impact on Waste Minimization

The population of the world is on rise and it will reach 8 billion by 2025. According to 2009, half of the world population lives in cities. The urban population rose dramatically from 13% (220 million) in 1900, to 29% (732 million) in 1950, to 49% (3.2 billion) in 2005 and it will reach 60% (~5 billion) by 2030. The expanding of city limits and transforming small towns and rural areas into urban areas are growing rapidly due to economical and technological advancements (globalization). This rapid growth and formation of new urban areas is due affluence, growing middle class people (e.g., India), migration for better life etc. As cities grow, the flow of energy and material through them increases. This occurs through human socio-economic activities of transforming and transferring food, goods, energy, and services. Urban sectors gain materials and energy both actively (through human work) and passively. Basically the material inputs are classified as either stored (e.g. construction materials for urban infrastructure and solid waste in landfills), transformed (e.g. food, fuel, and water), or passive (e.g. air, water, and solar radiation). And the material outputs are classified as atmospheric or water or marine or landfill. Huge variety of materials and energy are imported into urban areas (for example wood from rural areas). Many of these substances, such as stone, sand, gravel, tar, wood, glass, metals, and plastics become part of permanent structures (excluding water, food and fuel). The construction and electrical materials are very huge amounts consumed in megacities like New York, Shanghai, and Mumbai etc. Further, the construction of high-rise buildings, which are very energy intensive per square meter, increased exponentially during the years. Rates of solid waste generation vary widely across megacities, generally increasing with level of development mainly in developing nations. Almost all the materials are predominantly come from outside the city because agricultural production is very minimal due to fact that the land in cities being transformed to residential, commercial and industrial uses.
The transformed inputs like food, water and fuel are the most important materials which are imported into the cities. It requires substantial energy input to be processed, produced and transported, which can generate into waste products. In some cities due to insufficient of drinking water is still a big problem esp. in developing nations. The water is wasted in huge quantities in daily human activities they work under open loop system. For example in big cities in India, the rain water is not stored properly and they flow through drainage systems, moreover the waste water is not treated and they simply dump into the rivers and lakes.
The urban areas have great potential for waste minimization due to affluence and consumption rate is huge compared to rural areas. Due to this factor there is a greater scope for waste minimization in the food, water, energy, fuel, municipal and sewage waste sectors (solid wastes). The cities generating high volumes of waste (food, drink, paper, residues, municipal waste etc) creating negative impact on urban environment. This waste might be in hundreds to thousands tons per day (e.g., Mumbai) due to poor disposal technologies and methodologies. The waste minimization will be different approach in developed and developing nations. The GDP per capita is huge gap between urban and rural areas in developing nations. This could be new window of opportunities for the cities to find the solutions (to minimize the waste) by participating public, private and local community sectors (an integrated approach), innovative technologies (waste recycling and processing), disposal methods and involving behavioral changes and awareness programmes in schools and universities. Informing them about creating economic benefits from waste, decentralized administration of waste, refuse waste might be resources and health effects. For example emerging cities (like Mumbai) have high proportion of the waste could be recycled by the urban poor generating income for themselves and protecting the environment. There is a need to reduce the material and energy intensity of goods and services in urban areas.
The use of recycled organic products can help to counter this and at the same time reduce accumulation of organics in the city. The rural-urban co-operation is needed to separate organic fraction from garbage and their organic carbon and nutrients can be recycled into agricultural products that are ultimately return to cities again. The waste  anagement can be done in more desirable way by disposal, recovery (recycling, composting and energy), reuse and reduction. Reuse is seen as a way for urban authorities to substantially reduce the amount of waste requiring disposal and treatment. The biodegradable waste can be directly used for preparing the compost without extra effort of segregation. The solid waste fractions generally consists cans, bottles, paper, packaging materials, organic waste, etc. Analysis of urban metabolism and succession will provide critical information about energy efficiency, material cycling, waste management, and infrastructure architecture in urban systems. Urbanization can be sustained only if overall regional development is sustainable and equitable.

Sustainability is the Key Factor: How to achieve this in India

Now i am going to discuss with you about sustainability and achieving it in India in next 25-30years in a ll three dimensions i.e., 3 pillars of Sustainability (SOCIAL-ECONOMIC-ENVIRONMENTAL).

Sustainable development is very crucial in the developing nations especially emerging countries like China, India, Brazil, South Africa, etc. The consumption rate and waste generation is increasing very fast as never before due to economic growth and huge demand for the rising population. In order to attain sustainability in these emerging countries there should be different approach compared to developed nation. Due to the fact that developed nations have less populated and more per capita income compared to other nations. I will discuss sustainable development in India as a case study. By 2030 the population of India will be crossover China population and will become highest populous country in the world. India has taken a number of valuable initiatives to address problems and issues of sustainable urbanization but lack of implementation, leadership and planning makes unsustainable urban. India has an important role to play in the struggle for environmental sustainability due to loss in bio-diversity, deforestation, harmful emissions, rivers and lakes contamination, etc. India needs to think serious and make scientific analysis, commitment to long term approach to ensure that they are addressed in way consistent protect environmental needs. There should be different strategy for urban and rural areas in India in order to attain sustainable development. In India there are 500000 villages, nearly 70% population lives in rural areas and rest in cities. The per capita income and purchasing power parity gap is huge between rural and urban due to that economical development in cities. In rural India the waste generation is quiet low compared to urban India due to economic gap and consumption rate (food, water, fuel). In India the urbanization is growing by consuming forest, agricultural land, water bodies and other environmental assets, this must be stop. Many big cities in India consume high levels of energy for water supply, transport, waste management, industry and many other functions. This kind of consumption is inefficient and wasteful, leading to loss or scarcity in sectors which could use the same energy in more productive ways. It requires policies and strong management mechanisms which minimize such waste of energy are necessary.

The following strategies should be implemented in order to attain environmental sustainability.
1. Eliminating poverty without damaging environment will uplift poor in rural and urban areas.
2. Education to everyone and improve education system in rural areas, make a standard education system (equality). Educate the people by awareness programmes, courses in universities, seminars in rural areas and also teach them ethical issues.
3. Eradicate corruption (especially in government sectors in order to follow strict environmental laws).
4. Choosing right and bright political leaders who have vision, educated and intelligent.
5. Employment generation and improve the living standards in rural areas.
6. Increase agricultural production by educating farmers.
7. Setting environmental standards: conservation of natural resources, permissible limits for transportation and stationary units, strict laws, improving core sectors of economy.
8. Transparency and people’s participation in socio-economic issues.
9. Control and reduction in population growth (this can be done by education).
10. Use of renewable energy source in fuel and energy: India has sunlight throughout the year; need to make research and development to use this enormous amount of solar energy. And also wind energy, biofuels and geothermal energy are plenty of source of energy can be produced if the government implement policies, legislation, incentives to farmers for biofuels production (e.g., jatropha a non-edible oil seed for biodiesel production can improve rural economy, social security, environment, energy security but the policies are only on the papers poor implementation and no proper monitoring authority).
11. Use of biodegradable materials like using cellulose-based bags instead of polythene.
12. Public (government), private sectors and local communities should work together in order to achieve sustainability. Better understanding between them and try to disseminate the government policies and planning through the local meeting in rural or urban communities.
13. No gender difference (women empowerment is another important aspect in Indian scenario due to low literacy rate among women i.e. 55% whereas men with 75%).
14. Strong coordination between and among other levels of government.

The cities in India are not properly planned and handled the traffic. Cities should re-plan by implementing new policies and regulation in order to reduce air and water pollution and also traffic congestion by following steps:
1. All shopping malls and SME’s should be in the city outskirts.
2. A strong urban planning commission team should be trained.
3. Car, furniture and other showrooms should be in one particular place instead of spreading entire city.
4. All chemical, steel, leather and other type of industries should shift to outside the city limits.
5. Roads should be wide and properly channeled to the city traffic (instead of congestion) and buildings should be less energy-intensive. Limitations in construction of new buildings and land usage.
6. All household waste should be segregated into different boxes like organic waste, paper waste and glass waste.
7. Strict avoidance of landfill and dumping toxic materials by implementing landfill taxes, anti-dumping law.
8. Proper methodologies for disposable wastes and recycling units
9. All bio-waste should be incinerated with or without energy recovery.
10. Cleaning of major polluted rivers and lakes.
11. Use of renewable energy in public and private transportation.
12. Able to demonstrate transparency in the functioning of Government.

All three pillars interlinked but first Environmental could be crucial to achieve and these reflects to social and economic.

Overall a big change should come from the people and the government in order to achieve environmental-social-economic sustainability. I need your valuable feedback so that i can improve my discussing, what things u feel good or bad in this discussions.

SPK

Life’s Path isn’t Something you Just Take, it’s Something You Make,

From paul nicklen, wildlife journalist. how the life changed in his own experiences delivered in the National Geographic magazine, life never like easy walk, there are many hurdles and barriers to come across, its not a simple straight angle, but once u reach that point you never looked back. This reveals and relflects my own personal experiences, you may come down, but once u reach, its not big deal to come again up. SO, 3D’s IS THE FORMULA OF SUCCESS BUT ATTITUDE IS ALWAYS THE BACK BONE OF THE SUCCESS.

Cricket match in Oulu, Finland

After playing and practising cricket last 1 month, we are going to play a friendly cricket match with our friends from Pakistan. Both teams are well balanced, we need strong partner ships. I am remembering my school and college days, i used to play cricket and football anything for whole week, really those days are gone, but still we have something to cheer and will have  small moments after long time. But i had good time last summers in Helsinki NHCC and with my cute frnds sandy and sundeep, we had gr8 time by playing crkct for fun and much more.

The OCC team  friendship match with Pakistani team is:

1. Nagendra
2. Vamsi
3. Mandhar
4. Paul Atkins
5. Arun Kumar
6. Sandhanakrishnan
7. Faisal
8. Mani
9. Premkumar
10. Bhargav
11. Raagha

The venue starts at 17:00, and the game starts at 17:30. on 09-07-2009

EnePro Conference Advancing Energy Research at the University of Oulu

Advancing Research and Education in Energy Field at the University of Oulu

Venue:June 3, 2009, University of Oulu, Tietotalo 2, IT 116.

The Conference consisted of three sessions:

1) Renewable energy sources and energy production
2) Environmental impacts of energy production
3) Energy efficient production and products

Our part of the research had been submitted in this conference at Oulu.

Hydrogen Production by Bio-ethanol reforming for Small-scale Fuel Cell Applications

Prem Kumar Seelam, Mika Huuhtanen*, Krisztian Kordás, Esa Turpeinen and Riitta Liisa Keiski

University of Oulu, Department of Process and Environmental Engineering,
Mass and Heat Transfer Process Laboratory, FI-90014 University of Oulu, P.O.Box 4300.

University of Oulu, Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, Microelectronics and Material Physics Laboratories, FI-90014University of Oulu, P.O.Box 4500.