BASF: Methanol-powered fuel cell systems for car engines -- Cooperation between BASF and dbb
dbb, a joint venture of DaimlerChrysler AG of Stuttgart, Germany, Ballard Power Systems Inc. of Vancouver, Canada, and Ford Motor Company of Dearborn, Michigan, U.S.A., is a leader in the sector of power generation systems for mobile applications on the basis of fuel cells. BASF, in its capacity as a chemical corporation that is active throughout the world, can rely upon decades of experience with the catalysis of chemical reactions and with the production of catalysts suitable for this purpose. Both companies are now joining forces in the field of methanol reforming for automotive applications.
Higher efficiency, lower fuel consumption When it comes to alternative drive systems, the fuel cell drive is the candidate with the best prospects of winning out over conventional combustion engines, since a fuel cell drive translates into higher efficiency than conventional combustion engines and consequently accounts for lower fuel consumption.
With this new drive system, the hydrogen needed to operate a fuel cell is generated right in the vehicle, in other words, at the site of consumption. Methanol is a preferred source of hydrogen since this simple fuel reacts upon contact with a special catalyst at temperatures between 200degC and 350degC, forming a gas mixture with a high content of hydrogen. The hydrogen, in turn, is converted into water in the fuel cell, thereby generating the electricity that is used to power the vehicle. As far as the catalyst is concerned, this means that it has to react smoothly to rapid load changes during operation, and it has to withstand the mechanical stresses that occur in the vehicle, such as those caused by vibrations and jarring. From an environmental standpoint, the new drive concept results in zero noise and hardly any pollutant emissions.
Methanol can be synthesized from various starting materials. Industrial production processes use mainly natural gas and, to a lesser extent, petroleum residues and coal. In the chemical industry, methanol serves as an indispensable basic product that plays a key role in many value-added chains and is manufactured in large quantities. In the future, methanol could be sold through the existing network of service stations. It can be filled into the tank just as easily as gasoline or diesel.
Ambitious goal
Contacts between dbb and the catalyst research unit at BASF's ammonia
laboratory have existed for quite some time now. A tangible sign of the
success of these joint efforts- which will receive a new boost from
the signing of the development and cooperation agreement- is the BASF
catalyst used in the fuel cell system of the "NECAR 3".
In this context, the "NECAR 3" has served to demonstrate that methanol reforming is the most advanced among the numerous approaches for the mobile generation of hydrogen. As a result, the partners dbb and BASF are confident that the first mass-produced automobiles utilizing the technology they have developed will be launched on the market in the year 2004. This is an ambitious goal, not least of all because other automobile manufacturers are also vying for the pole position in this race for one of the most attractive markets of the future.
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