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EMAIL ID: krithik28000@gmail.com

BATCH : AUGUST 2021

COURSE : HYBRID AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES

MENTOR : SRUJAN G.S

NAME : KRITHIK A

PROJECT TYPE: MINOR

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KEYWORDS: FCEV, NANO-PYROELECTRIC GENERATORS, BEV, MFC

A B S T R A C T:
It has always been a topic of discussion that
whether FCEVs have a promising future over the BEVs. BEVs are
currently very well established with an overall new car sales of 5
percent and over 6.8 million in use.
This study aims to determine the efficiency,
Environmental Impact and cost efficiency of FCEVs over BEVs and
some methods to improve the efficiency. The study showed that
FCEV’s lose majority of their efficiency in the process of production
of hydrogen. Also, the mass production process that is used for
hydrogen production creates of lots of environmental footprints
which denies the basic principle of zero pollution which FCEVs
intends to create.
These results suggest that a lot of innovative ideas,
projects and enormous funding on research are required to enhance
the efficiency of the fuel cells are required in order to make FCEV
viable.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title No: Page No:
i. Front Page 1
ii. Abstract 2
iii. Table of Contents 3
iv. List of Tables and Figures 4
v. Abbreviations and Acronyms 6

Project of Contents
Section 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1. Introduction to Topic 7
1.2. Need for Topic 10
1.3. Motivation 10

Section 2: COLLECTED DATA

2.1. Review of Collected Data 11
2.2. Conclusion Drawn 12

Section 3: DESCRIPTION of Issue

3.1. Problem Statement 13
3.2. Methods to Solve Issue 13

Section 4: Resolution
4.1. Procedure to solve Issue 14
4.2 Detailed Methodology 15

Section 5: Results, Discussion and Conclusion 17

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List of Tables and Figures:

(FIG 1.1)

(FIG 1.2)

(FIG 4.1)
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(FIG 4.2)

(FIG 5.2)

(Fig 5.1)

LIST OF
ABBREVIATIONS
AND ACRONYMS
ACRONYMS:
1. BEV- Battery-Powered Electric Vehicle.
2. FCEV- Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle.
3. GWh- Gigawatt hours.
4. NPEG-Nano Pyro-Electric Generators.
5. MFC- Microbial Fuel Cell.
6. PEG- Pyro-Electric Generators.
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1.1.INTRODUCTION TO TOPIC
What is a fuel cell?
A fuel cell uses the chemical energy of hydrogen or other fuels to
cleanly and efficiently produce electricity. If hydrogen is the fuel,
the only products are electricity, water, and heat

How do fuel cells work?

Fuel cells work like batteries, but they do not run down or need
recharging. They produce electricity and heat as long as fuel is
supplied. A fuel cell consists of two electrodes—a negative electrode
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(or anode) and a positive electrode (or cathode)—sandwiched

around an electrolyte. Hydrogen acts as a fuel and is fed to the
anode, and then air is fed to the cathode. In a hydrogen fuel cell, a
catalyst at the anode separates hydrogen molecules into protons and
electrons, which take different paths to the cathode. The electrons
go through an external circuit, creating a flow of electricity. The
protons migrate through the electrolyte to the cathode, where they
unite with oxygen and the electrons to produce water and heat as
waste. (fig-1.1)

PROS:
 No vehicle emissions other than water vapour. Fuel economy
equivalent to about twice that of gasoline vehicles.
 Hydrogen is abundant, and can be made from renewable
energy
 Noise- offers a much more silent and smooth alternative to
conventional energy production.
 Environmentally beneficial- greatly reduces CO2 and harmful
pollutant emissions.
 Size reduction- fuel cells are significantly lighter and more
compact

Cons: 
 This space-age technology is expensive to manufacture due the
high cost of catalysts (platinum).
 Hydrogen is expensive to produce and not widely available
 Acceptable range requires extremely-high-pressure, on-board
hydrogen storage.
 Few places to refuel and lack of infrastructure to support the
distribution of hydrogen.
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 Hydrogen is very expensive to transport and there is no

infrastructure in place yet.
 Currently hydrogen fuel is made from non-renewable natural
gas in a process that creates enormous CO2 and CO emissions
 A lot of the currently available fuel cell technology is in the
prototype stage and not yet validated.

What is a Secondary cell battery?

A secondary cell or battery is one that can be electrically recharged
after use to their original pre-discharge condition, by passing current
through the circuit in the opposite direction to the current during
discharge.
There are several types of secondary batteries that have been
developed for mobile applications like cellular phones, power tools,
and cars, where the potential in terms of specific power and specific
energy appears to have reached a limit with today's most modern
lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. The newest development for secondary
batteries is the flow-cell battery, which allows for cheap large-scale
(GWh) energy storage using large basins.

How do Secondary Cell battery work?

The Principle of Operation of Secondary cell battery is quite
simple. It can be electrically recharged after use to its original pre-
discharge condition, by passing current through the circuit in the
opposite direction to the current during discharge.
During discharge, lithium is oxidized from Li to Li + (0 to +1 oxidation
state) in the lithium-graphite anode through the following reaction:
C6Li -> 6C (graphite) + Li (+) + e (-)
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These reactions can be run in reverse to recharge the cell. In this

case the lithium ions leave the lithium cobalt oxide cathode and
migrate back to the anode, where they are reduced back to neutral
lithium and reincorporated into the graphite network. These lithium
ions migrate through the electrolyte medium to the cathode, where
they are incorporated into lithium cobalt oxide through the following
reaction, which reduces cobalt from a +4 to a +3 oxidation state:
Li (1-x)CoO2 (s) + x Li (+) + x e (-) -> LiCoO2 (s) (FIG 1.2)

PROS:
a. Secondary cells last long and can be used over again and again
due to which production of E-waste can be reduced.
b. Has higher power density
c. Has Higher Discharge Rate
d. Good low-temperature Performance

CONS:
 Rechargeable batteries are that they can often become weak
and unpredictable with age which can lead to faster depletion
and lower performance.
 High initial costs.
 Complete Discharge damages the battery.
 Involves risk of bursting.
 Extremely sensitive to high temperatures (degrades very
quickly if exposed to heat). 

NEED FOR TOPIC:

Global warming has been a very trending topic
since the 1980s. Researchers say that the foremost cause of it is the
accumulation of hydrocarbons in the atmosphere, in which IC engine
vehicles take a huge part (they produce about 10% of the world's
greenhouse gas). Also, the consumption of non-renewable resources
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as fuel such as coal has skyrocketed to an extent that we may never

know when they will be exhausted.
So the need of the hour is an alternate source
as fuel. Hydrogen is the most abundant gas form, so if it is used as
fuel we could reduce our dependence on non-renewable sources to
a great extent. Also, hydrogen-powered FCEVs emit water and heat
as waste so they do not contribute to global warming.

MOTIVATION:
For every problem, there has to be a solution. As an Engineer, it is my
sole responsibility to take on the environmental crisis into account
and find the most efficient solution for it. We are well aware that
petroleum reserves are almost dry and IC engines aren't completely
eco-friendly. As the most common means of transport has always
been Roadways (vehicles with IC engines), this seems to become a
grave issue. To find an alternative solution to this issue, I started to
learn about EVs and FCEVs and finally ended up doing this project.
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SECTION 2: COLLECTED DATA

2.1.Review of Collected Data:
S.NO TITLE Author and Year of Methods used Conclusion
publication

1. Encyclopedia of D.L.Trimm Superheated The generation of hydrogen from

Electrochemical Steam passed liquid fuels may be more
power sources (2009) through appropriate for fuel cells,
Methanol to with methanol reforming
produce offering a convenient basis of
operation.
hydrogen.

2 Reference Module in A. Baroutaji Materials used in Development of new materials

Material Science and PEM fuel cell and enhancement of the current
Materials (2021) were tested. ones will pioneer the PEM fuel
Engineering cell technology

The Nano- The output current density of PEG

3 composite can reach 1.7 μA/cm2, it is a great
Nano Energy Xilong kang, shuhai materials were improvement for PEG devices
jia replaced with
(2021) metals of high
thermal
conductivity and
polarization.

Critical Assessment

The mass production of hydrogen through steam reforming produces lot of Hydrocarbons

Materials used in PEM fuel cell was taken into account. So, they could be changed and efficiency could be increased.

Heat produced can be converted into electricity

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Anh tuan hoang Metabolic With proper planning we Production of

decomposition of the might expect see the Electricity with
4 Chemosphere (2021) substrate industrialization of MFCs Microbial Fuel cell.
by microbes at the in the near future, which
anode would benefit the entire
human race with cleaner
energy and the
environment

2.2.CONCLUSION DRAWN:

Currently, the mass production of Hydrogen is done by the process

of Steam Reforming. This process emits a lot of Carbon monoxide as
a by-product. Also, there is a lot of heat requirement in this process
which reduces the efficiency of the process. Pyro-Electric generators
can be used in the regions of heat. So, that electricity produced
through it can be re-cycled so, efficiency can be increased. The
Conventional PEM FC can be modified into an MFC in which waste
bio-mass can be taken as fuel and in anaerobic conditions it produces
electricity.
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SECTION 3: DESCRIPTION OF ISSUE

3.1. PROBLEM STATEMENT:
TREND TOWARDS FUEL CELL BATTERIES OVER
SECONDARY CELL BATTERIES IN ELECTRICAL VEHICLES
OBJECTIVES:
1. The Steam-Reforming process produces Carbon-Monoxide
(CO).
2. The efficiency of an FCEV is considered low due to the
production cost and processes involved.
3. The initial expense of FCEVs is too high.
4. Number of Hydrogen gas refuelling stations is very less in
number.
 

3.2. METHODS TO SOLVE THE ISSUE:

1. The Invention of a new and efficient process for the
production of Hydrogen
2. Use of PEGs over the regions where heat is produced so that
electricity produced through it can be used again in motor.
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3. Mass production of FCEVs is required to lower the cost.

4. More Hydrogen refuelling stations should be built.

SECTION 4: RESOLUTION
4.1 PROCEDURE TO SOLVE THE ISSUE:
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S.No: METHODOLOGY USED RESOURCES USED

1. Electrolysis should be done

in a large scale as to stop
Internet
the production of Carbon-
Monoxide through Steam
Reforming.
PEGs can be used to
2. Internet
increase the efficiency

Refuelling stations have to

3. be built as to promote the Internet
usage of FCEVs

Mass production of FCEVs

4. Internet
should be promoted in
order to lower the cost

OBJECTIVE

Steam-Reforming process has to be replaced with much efficient process and an

environment friendly process

Efficiency of FCEVs is low because lot of processes are done even before hydrogen is sent
to the fuel station.

Lack of Infrastructure and very less Hydrogen refuelling stations

The Initial cost of FCEVs is very higher

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4.2 Detailed Methodology:

1. STEAM REFORMING:
Steam reforming or steam methane reforming is a method for producing
syngas (hydrogen and carbon monoxide) by reaction of hydrocarbons with
water. Commonly natural gas is the feedstock. The main purpose of this
technology is hydrogen production. Steam reforming of natural gas produces
most of the world's hydrogen. (FIG 4.1)
Steam reforming or Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) reacts methane with
steam at high temperatures in the presence of a catalyst to give hydrogen and
carbon monoxide. From an environmental position, this method is still
generating unacceptably significant quantities of greenhouse gases.
As this process needs a lot of Heat Input it requires huge energy in the form of
electricity this makes hydrogen production costly at a rate of 13 dollars per kg.
(Fig 4.2)

So this has to be replaced with Electrolysis of Water.

2. EFFICIENCY IN PROCESSES:
Hydrogen is one of the most abundant elements in the atmosphere,
but it is not available gaseous form that is directly usable. It is mostly
available in water and other forms of hydrocarbon.
After extracting it through processes such as Electrolysis and Steam
Reforming, it has to be compressed to a pressure of 790 atm and
then chilled to a temperature of -253k in order to liquefy hydrogen
for transportation and further use.
Pyro-electricity is defined as the ability of select materials to
generate a temporary voltage or current when they are heated or
cooled.
The pyroelectric effect is the change in polarization due to the
change in temperature. Ferroelectric materials are expected to
be strongly pyroelectric because ferroelectric materials have a
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large range of temperature-dependent spontaneous

polarization. When the electricity from the fuel cells is sent to
the motor, the motor gets heated to a high temperature where
PEGs can be connected.
PEGs will produce electricity due to the increasing temperature

3. Lack of Infrastructure:
Governments should spend money on funded projects as to
improve and promote the usage of FCEVs. Currently only a total
of 45 Hydrogen gas stations is present in all of United States
that too many located in California.
So, a lot of Gas stations have to installed. But the problem
with this is that the cost of setting a hydrogen gas station is
2 million dollars whereas Electric power station costs only
50 grand dollars.

4. MASS PRODUCTION OF FCEVs

Mass production also results in lower costs
because the automated assembly line production process
requires fewer workers. In addition, mass production can create
higher levels of efficiency because mass-produced items can be
assembled at a quicker rate through automation.
5. PROMOTION AND RECTIFICATION OF RESEARCH
GAP ON MFCs
MFCS is a newly developed type of fuel cell. This
technology uses anaerobic Bacteria which are capable of
producing electricity also called as Electrogens as anode and
Bio-mass as fuel. This biomass can be of any type with sugar
content, so all waste by-products with sugar can be used as
fuel, and electricity can be produced through them. With
further research and development, this can be made the most
viable method. (FIG 5.2)
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SECTION 5: RESULTS, DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:

RESULT:
The study shows that FCEVs have a lot of milestones to
overcome and the overall efficiency of FCEVs is only around
40% and the Efficiency of BEVs stands at 90%. Also the power
used to produce 1 kg of Hydrogen is equal to 61.2 kwh, which if
directly used in BEV could give a range of 380 miles which is
around 6 times higher than that of FCEVs. (fig 5.1)

CONCLUSION:
From the study, it is clear that BEVs will dominate the
roadways for quite a long time until there is a great improvement in
FCEV technology and the rates get significantly lower for commoners
to afford.

.
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CITATIONS:

 Kang, X., Jia, S., Xu, R., Liu, S., Peng, J., Yu, H., & Zhou, X. (2021). Highly

efficient pyroelectric generator for waste heat recovery without auxiliary device.

Nano Energy, 88, 106245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106245

 Trimm, D. (2009). FUELS – HYDROGEN PRODUCTION | Natural Gas:

Conventional Steam-Reforming. Encyclopedia of Electrochemical Power Sources,

293–299. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-044452745-5.00293-8

 Baroutaji, A., Carton, J., Sajjia, M., Ramadan, M., & Olabi, A. G. (2021). Materials in

PEM Fuel Cells. Reference Module in Materials Science and Materials Engineering.

Published. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-815732-9.00134-0

 Hoang, A. T., Nižetić, S., Ng, K. H., Papadopoulos, A. M., Le, A. T., Kumar, S.,

Hadiyanto, H., & Pham, V. V. (2022). Microbial fuel cells for bioelectricity

production from waste as sustainable prospect of future energy sector. Chemosphere,

287, 132285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132285