Romtek Basic Hydrogen Fuel Cell Apparatus demonstrates & enables detailed experiments on harnessing renewable energy to power the cars of the future. It incorporates multidisciplinary technologies and is useful to educators & experimenters in Physics & Chemistry; Electronics & Mechanical Engg. & Non-Conventional Energy Sciences.
How it Works
The apparatus uses a PEM (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane) reversible, bi-modal fuel cell, a solar panel, a dc motor driven, scaled down automobile, a winch attachment for lifting a small mass & electronics control module.
In mode One, fuel Cell works as Electrolyser, accepting electricity obtained from sunlight, to electrolyse distilled water to Hydrogen & Oxygen, which is then stored in a graduated container. In mode 2, the Fuel Cell accepts the stored Hydrogen & Oxygen as input and generates electricity. The generated electricity drives a dc motor, which drives the model 4-wheeled vehicle. Provision is there for the motor to lift a known small mass using a winch attachment to directly measure mechanical work done. A block diagram illustrates the processes:
Experiments :
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Solar Group Expts (S.1 to S.5)
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Fuel Cell Group Expts (F.1 to F.5)
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S.1 |
Measurement & Plotting the short circuit Current (Isc) & No load voltage (Voc) of Solar Panel for incident radiation of different intensity. |
F.1 |
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S.2 |
Measurement & Plotting of Solar Panel Output (Current (I) & Voltage (V)) as a function of distance from the radiation source. |
F.2 |
Determination of Electrolysis Efficiency |
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S.3 |
Measurement & Plotting of Solar Panel Outputs (I & V) as a function of angle of incident light. |
F.3 |
Measurement & Plotting the characteristics curves (V vs I) and (P vs I) of Fuel Cell. |
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S.4 |
Measurement & Plotting of characteristics curves of (I vs V) & (P vs V) Solar Panel, determination of Maximum Power Point (MPP), and Filling Factor (FF). |
F.4 |
Measurement of Faraday Efficiency & Energy Efficiency of Fuel Cell
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S.5 |
Measurement of Efficiency of Solar Cell |
F.5 |
Measurement of ‘Mileage’ of Fuel Cell Car |
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S.6 |
Calibrating radiation meter |
F.6 |
Measurement of ‘horse power’ of the Fuel Cell Car “engine” |
Solar Modules
Dimension |
4 3/2 ”X 5 ½” X ¼ “ (120 X 135 X 5) mm |
Open Circuit Voltage |
3.0 V DC |
Short Circuit Current |
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MPP Voltage |
2.4V DC |
MPP Current |
200 mA |
MPP |
480 mW |
Data on standard conditions of 1000 W/m2 at 25o C
Reversible Fuel Cell (PEM)
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Dimension |
2 ½ “ X 2 ½ “ X 3/5 “ (65 X 65 X 15) mm |
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Mode 1 |
Electrolyzer |
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Input Voltage |
1.4 – 1.8 V DC |
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Storage Volume (H2) |
Storage Volume (H2) : 20 cc |
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Storage Volume (O2) |
10 cc |
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Mode 2 |
Fuel Cell |
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Output Voltage |
0.4 to 0.9 V |
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Power Output |
400 m W |
Model Automobile Car with geared electric Motor & Crane facility
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Dimension (Axle to axle)/(Wheel to wheel) |
6 ½” X 4 ½ “ X 5 ½ “ |
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Driving Voltage |
0.5 to 3.0V |
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Driving Current |
100 m A @ 0.6 V no load |
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Hydrogen Consumption |
3-5 mL / min |
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Crane Attachment |
Provided |
Light Source with Dimmer
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Input Voltage |
220 V, 50 Hz(110 V, 60 Hz operation optional) |
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Power Input |
100W |
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Intensity Control |
10 to 90% |
Turn Table
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Angular Displacement |
Angle : + 90o, variable |
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Distance |
3 ½ “ to 39” (10 X 100) cm, variable |
Climatic Conditions
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Operating Temp |
10o – 40o c |
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Storage Temp |
5o – 45o c |
Electronic Control Panel
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Voltmeter |
Digital, LCD / LED, 3 ½ digits 0 to 2 V 0 to 20 V Accuracy : 0.1% |
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Ammeter |
Digital, LCD / LED, 3 ½ digits 0 to 200 m A 0 to 200 m A Accuracy : 0.5% |
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Direct Reading Power Meter |
Digital, LCD / LED, 3 ½ digits 0 to 1000 m W Accuracy : 5% |
Radiation Meter |
Digital, LCD / LED, 3 ½ digits 0 to 1999 watt/ M2 Accuracy : 5% |
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Loads |
1, 3, 5, 10, 100, 200, Ohms and lamp and motor positions |
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Stop Watch |
Provided |
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Power Source |
0.1 to 3.0 VDC @ 1000 mA, regulated |
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Input power |
220V / 50 Hz or 110V / 50 Hz or Batteries as per order. |
Items required in Lab
Distilled Water
Climatic Conditions
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Operating |
10o – 40o c |
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Storage Temp |
5o – 45o c |