Solar hydrogen system
(by far the best looking group)
hydrogen fuel cells
A hydrogen fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction of positively charged ions with oxygen. The first fuel cell ever discovered was in 1839 by Sir William Grove, by accident. After he discovered the fuel cell, no other scientist thought that it was necessary to further research on them. Until Francis Bacon came along in the 1930's to research them, then made the 1st practical fuel cell in the 1950's, which was called the Alkaline Fuel Cell.There are six different kinds of fuel cells: Alkaline, Phosphoric Acid, Molten Carbonate, Solid Oxide, Direct Methanol, and Polymer Electrolyte Membrane.
solar panels
A solar panel is a panel designed to absorb the sun's rays as a source of energy for generating heat or electricity. People take the energy gained from these solar panels and they light their houses with it, heat their houses with it, heat their pools with it, and so much more. During our project, we used energy from a powered light to heat up the solar panel, that then charged our fuel cell that was needed to power our car motor.
circuits
The two types of circuits that we have studied are series and parallel. In a series circuit, there is only one path for current flow, and components are connected end-to-end. However, in a parallel circuit, the voltage across the circuit is equal, the components are connected by both ends, and there are many paths for current flow.
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.
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 __1.56________ 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 _____112mA_____ 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 = _.11W______
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? _________
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 __________
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 = __________
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 = __________ 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? ______
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 __________
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 = __________
14. Calculate the power delivered by the fuel cell. P = Load Power = I V = __________ 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? ______
16. With the test leads disconnected, set the multimeter to measure voltage. Connect the multimeter test leads to the motor terminals. Record the voltage value.
V = Load Voltage __________
17. 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 motor terminals. Record the current value.
Load Current = __________
18. Calculate the power delivered by the batteries in series. P = Load Power = I V = __________ for batteries in series
19. Using the breadboard, connect the batteries in parallel with each other and with the motor. Is there enough power to turn the motor? If so, is there enough power to turn the motor with the wheels on the ground? ______
20. With the test leads disconnected, set the multimeter to measure voltage. Connect the multimeter test leads to the motor terminals. Record the voltage value.
V = Load Voltage __________
21. 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 motor terminals. Record the current value.
Load Current = __________
22. Calculate the power delivered by the batteries in parallel.
P = Load Power = I V = __________ for batteries in parallel
2. Follow the directions in the Fuel Cell User Guide under the section Preparing the Fuel Cell for Use.
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 __1.56________ 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 _____112mA_____ 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 = _.11W______
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? _________
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 __________
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 = __________
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 = __________ 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? ______
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 __________
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 = __________
14. Calculate the power delivered by the fuel cell. P = Load Power = I V = __________ 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? ______
16. With the test leads disconnected, set the multimeter to measure voltage. Connect the multimeter test leads to the motor terminals. Record the voltage value.
V = Load Voltage __________
17. 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 motor terminals. Record the current value.
Load Current = __________
18. Calculate the power delivered by the batteries in series. P = Load Power = I V = __________ for batteries in series
19. Using the breadboard, connect the batteries in parallel with each other and with the motor. Is there enough power to turn the motor? If so, is there enough power to turn the motor with the wheels on the ground? ______
20. With the test leads disconnected, set the multimeter to measure voltage. Connect the multimeter test leads to the motor terminals. Record the voltage value.
V = Load Voltage __________
21. 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 motor terminals. Record the current value.
Load Current = __________
22. Calculate the power delivered by the batteries in parallel.
P = Load Power = I V = __________ for batteries in parallel
reflection
Overall I liked to learn different things like about fuel cells and circuits but I didn't really understand any of it at first. But once we did a couple of labs, my group members like James and Jaewha really helped me understand the whole idea of circuits and how they worked and where i was supposed to put certain wires and conductors in the bread board. I personally liked constructing the car because I am a hands-on kind of guy and i understand that concept of the project more than the whole energy, watts, ohms, voltage concept of the project. However, i did not like having to find all of the measurements of the car because im not that great with multimeters.
conclusion questions
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?
My group did not get to measure all four to compare, but we did play with the AAA batteries with the series circuit and that made it go pretty fast, faster than Jacob's car.
2. Did voltage, current, or power best describe the suitability of a power source?
The only response i got from the three was power. Power told me how efficient the power source was working.
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.
Due to the lack of time that we were given,my group was not able to reach the step of actually testing the AAA 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 did not have enough time to reach this step.
5. Describe and defend a system that you believe would best utilize a solar hydrogen system to meet the needs for an average driver.
In order to best utilize a solar hydrogen system, you would need to place it in a place that receives close to 100% sunlight, and a place that the water would not spill out of it.
6. How does a photovoltaic cell work? Record the source of your information.
A photovoltaic cell is a close relative to a solar cell. It turns light into energy, somewhat like photosynthesis. it has a positive layer, and a negative layer. Solar particles from light get absorbed by the cell and then gets turned into usable energy. When the negative layer fills up with protons, it releases electrons and by releasing them, that causes energy.
http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/consumer/solar_electricity/basics/how_pv_cells_work.htm
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.
When one negatively charged oxygen and two positively charged hydrogen atoms combine, water molecules are made. When electricity is produced, a negative and a positive ion will charge. The atoms will then either lose or gain electrons in order to reach homeostasis. Then, when the atoms knock out the electrons, electricity is produced.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
My group did not get to measure all four to compare, but we did play with the AAA batteries with the series circuit and that made it go pretty fast, faster than Jacob's car.
2. Did voltage, current, or power best describe the suitability of a power source?
The only response i got from the three was power. Power told me how efficient the power source was working.
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.
Due to the lack of time that we were given,my group was not able to reach the step of actually testing the AAA 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 did not have enough time to reach this step.
5. Describe and defend a system that you believe would best utilize a solar hydrogen system to meet the needs for an average driver.
In order to best utilize a solar hydrogen system, you would need to place it in a place that receives close to 100% sunlight, and a place that the water would not spill out of it.
6. How does a photovoltaic cell work? Record the source of your information.
A photovoltaic cell is a close relative to a solar cell. It turns light into energy, somewhat like photosynthesis. it has a positive layer, and a negative layer. Solar particles from light get absorbed by the cell and then gets turned into usable energy. When the negative layer fills up with protons, it releases electrons and by releasing them, that causes energy.
http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/consumer/solar_electricity/basics/how_pv_cells_work.htm
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.
When one negatively charged oxygen and two positively charged hydrogen atoms combine, water molecules are made. When electricity is produced, a negative and a positive ion will charge. The atoms will then either lose or gain electrons in order to reach homeostasis. Then, when the atoms knock out the electrons, electricity is produced.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/