Solar Hydrogen System
Hydrogen Cells
Hydrogen fuel cells take in hydrogen and oxygen (or water, H20), and creates electricity. It is part of the fuel cell group called PEMFC, or Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell. A simple hydrogen fuel cell (which is what im assuming we used) is composed of an anode, a cathode, and a Polymer Electrolyte (which is made of carbon cloth). In our car, our fuel cell was normally hooked up in a circuit to our motor, which would turn when connected after the fuel cell was charged. We charged the fuel cells by connecting them to the solar panels, which would run electricity through the cell and charge it.
Solar Panels
Solar Panels are a renewable energy source. They are placed in a system or circuit to capture the rays of the sun, and turn them into usable energy. A solar panel converts this solar energy, the energy from the rays of the sun, to electricity, which we then used in multiple ways. In one circuit using our solar panel, we connected it directly to the motor of the car, and the wheels would start spinning when a light bright enough was placed in front of the solar panel. We also used it to charge our hydrogen fuel cell. We would fill our fuel cells, connect them to our solar panel which was placed in front of a bright flood light, and after about ten minutes, our hydrogen fuel cell would be charged. We would then connect our fuel cell to our motor (using a breadboard), and the motor would turn the axle.
Series and Parallel Circuits
Series and Parallel circuits are the two ways you can configure components in an electrical circuit. Series circuits are when all the components are connected end-to-end. There is only one path for current to flow for a series circuit, and it travels through every component. Kirchoff’s voltage law deals with series circuits, and states that the sum of all voltage drops in a series equals the total applied voltage. Parallel circuits are the second configuration, where both ends of the components are connected together, and there are multiple paths for current to flow. Kirchoff’s law of current states that total current in a parallel circuit equals the sum of the individual branch circuits, meaning the current gets split up for each branch in the series, but the voltage stays the same for each branch.
here is the circuit schematic of our circuit. as you can see, it is a series, as all the components are in a row, back-to-back
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Reflection
Series and Parallel circuits are the two ways you can configure components in an electrical circuit. Series circuits are when all the components are connected end-to-end. There is only one path for current to flow for a series circuit, and it travels through every component. Kirchoff’s voltage law deals with series circuits, and states that the sum of all voltage drops in a series equals the total applied voltage. Parallel circuits are the second configuration, where both ends of the components are connected together, and there are multiple paths for current to flow. Kirchoff’s law of current states that total current in a parallel circuit equals the sum of the individual branch circuits, meaning the current gets split up for each branch in the series, but the voltage stays the same for each branch.
Activity 1.3.1
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 ___2.11_______ 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 ___multimeter broke_______ 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 = _^______
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? _yes________
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 __1.51________
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 = _____111 mA_____
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? __yes____
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? ____yes__
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 ___5.6_______
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 = ___.140_______
18. Calculate the power delivered by the batteries in series. P = Load Power = I V = ___.784 W_______ 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? __yes____
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 ___.18 _______
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 = _____.025_____
22. Calculate the power delivered by the batteries in parallel.
P = Load Power = I V = ___.0045_______ 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 ___2.11_______ 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 ___multimeter broke_______ 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 = _^______
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? _yes________
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 __1.51________
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 = _____111 mA_____
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? __yes____
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? ____yes__
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 ___5.6_______
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 = ___.140_______
18. Calculate the power delivered by the batteries in series. P = Load Power = I V = ___.784 W_______ 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? __yes____
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 ___.18 _______
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 = _____.025_____
22. Calculate the power delivered by the batteries in parallel.
P = Load Power = I V = ___.0045_______ for batteries in parallel
Conclusion questions
1. of all the options, the car was best powered by the AAA batteries in a series
2.Power best described the suitability of a power source
3.to get the same voltage output, youd need two solar modules to equal the AAA's voltage output. if in a series, youd connect them from one module to the next module to the motor. in a parallel, youd connect one to the breadboard, then the other, and then connect the motor to the breadboard so that it formed a parallel cirucuit (the modules would not connect/ touch in the circuit.
4.due to equipment malfunctions, i was not able to get to this measurement. however, if i had to approximate, it would take 2, maybe 3 hydrogen cells to equal the output made by the batteries. you would connect them the same way you connected the solar modules.
5.to meet the demands of an average driver, i would do a very, very large parallel circuit of hydrogen cells connected to a large photovaltic cell (solar panel) connected to the top of the car. although a series has a higher power output, a parallel would be needed because it would be ineffeicient if one of the cells got damaged or broken to have to go through and find which cell it was, and replace it. if one cell went out in a parallel, the car would still function. that being said, the solar panel would have to be generating large amounts of energy, and the cells would also have to be performing at a high rate.
6.photovaltic cells work by when light energy hits the cell, it knocks loose electrons. the electrons are then captured in the form of an electrical current, creating electricity. (http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2002/solarcells/)
7.electrolysis seperates hydrogen and oxygen by running an electrical current through them. then the hydrogen atoms get stripped of their electrons which run through the wires and provide current. then, the hydrogen ions, oxygen, and returning electrons come back together and form water once more. (http://americanhistory.si.edu/fuelcells/basics.htm)
2.Power best described the suitability of a power source
3.to get the same voltage output, youd need two solar modules to equal the AAA's voltage output. if in a series, youd connect them from one module to the next module to the motor. in a parallel, youd connect one to the breadboard, then the other, and then connect the motor to the breadboard so that it formed a parallel cirucuit (the modules would not connect/ touch in the circuit.
4.due to equipment malfunctions, i was not able to get to this measurement. however, if i had to approximate, it would take 2, maybe 3 hydrogen cells to equal the output made by the batteries. you would connect them the same way you connected the solar modules.
5.to meet the demands of an average driver, i would do a very, very large parallel circuit of hydrogen cells connected to a large photovaltic cell (solar panel) connected to the top of the car. although a series has a higher power output, a parallel would be needed because it would be ineffeicient if one of the cells got damaged or broken to have to go through and find which cell it was, and replace it. if one cell went out in a parallel, the car would still function. that being said, the solar panel would have to be generating large amounts of energy, and the cells would also have to be performing at a high rate.
6.photovaltic cells work by when light energy hits the cell, it knocks loose electrons. the electrons are then captured in the form of an electrical current, creating electricity. (http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2002/solarcells/)
7.electrolysis seperates hydrogen and oxygen by running an electrical current through them. then the hydrogen atoms get stripped of their electrons which run through the wires and provide current. then, the hydrogen ions, oxygen, and returning electrons come back together and form water once more. (http://americanhistory.si.edu/fuelcells/basics.htm)