Engineering Research Practice PDF

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Engineering Research Practice
Assignment 3: Research Proposal

Engineering Research Practice
Table of Contents
List of Acronyms............................................................................................................................3
1. The Problem and its Setting......................................................................................................4
1.1. Background and Motivation.................................................................................................4
1.2. The Statement of then Problem and Subproblems...............................................................5
1.3. Scope of the Study................................................................................................................6
1.4. Research Question................................................................................................................6
1.5. Assumptions.........................................................................................................................6
2. Literature Review......................................................................................................................7
2.1. Environmental Sustainability................................................................................................7
2.2. Hydrogen Fuel Cells.............................................................................................................8
2.3. Fuel Cells Electrolytes..........................................................................................................8
3. The Research Methodology....................................................................................................10
3.1. Patent Analysis...................................................................................................................10
3.2. Design and Testing of Fuel Cells........................................................................................11
4. An outline of the proposed study............................................................................................12
4.1. Activities.............................................................................................................................12
4.2. Resources............................................................................................................................12
4.3. Timeline..............................................................................................................................12
4.4. Research Output..................................................................................................................13
5. References.................................................................................................................................14
6. Appendix...................................................................................................................................16

Engineering Research Practice
List of Acronyms
GHG Greenhouse Gas
R&D Research and Development
FCVs Fuel Cell Vehicles
CCS Carbon Capture and Storage
PEM Proton Exchange Membrane
IP Intellectual Property
GAMS General Algebraic Modelling System

Engineering Research Practice
1. The Problem and its Setting
1.1. Background and Motivation
Climate change and global warming are one of the most endemic and serious threats facing
humanity and the entire globe today. The ever-escalating adversities and implications of climate
change and global warming are attributed to anthropogenic factors that result in unprecedented
rates of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission especially from fossil fuels [1]. On December 12, 2015,
the global community once again after the Kyoto Protocol acknowledged the threat posed by
climate change to humanity by collectively converging in Paris during the COP2015 summit
attended by 195 countries to discuss how to reduce their carbon footprints [2]. The Paris Accord
committed countries to reduce their GHG emission in an effort to promote sustainable global
warming to at most 20 C. Australia as many other countries committed to decarbonizing their
energy systems through strategies such as replacement of non-renewable fossil fuels with
carbon-free renewable fuels such as hydrogen and photovoltaic energy. Australia committed to
reducing its carbon footprint by 26-28% by 2030 using 2005 as the base year [3, 4]. Hydrogen
gas and fuel cells have been attributed to having the potential of significantly mitigating climate
change and promoting environmental sustainability by reducing GHG emission. Fuel cells and
hydrogen gas are anticipated to have the capacity to reduce the global GHG by 6 billion tons of
carbon dioxide by 2050 [5]. In order to tap into the potential of hydrogen as a fuel, technological
advancements in fuel cells are inevitable.
Fuel cells are electrochemical devices with the capabilities of changing chemical energy directly
to electrical energy without combustion thus its oxidant or fuels are supplied externally. The fuel
cell has the capacity of tapping into the abundant hydrogen gas as a fuel by converting it into
electrical energy with zero carbon emission (see Figure 1). Merewether, Brandon, and Hart
equate fuel cells to a battery but the cells are able to combine oxygen and hydrogen gases to
produce thermal energy, water, and electricity [6, 7]. Unlike a battery that requires constant
recharging with fresh reactants to produce electric energy, fuel cells operate without moving
parts, need for combustion, and are endlessly rechargeable [6]. The cells have an immense
potential of replacing the conventional power machines as they produce heat, water, and
electricity from only while emitting zero CO2. The cells are not limited to using hydrogen as a
fuel but can convert other natural gases as well as liquefied fuels such as gasoline and methanol.
The cells can be used in transportation applications, stationary power generation and battery
replacement [6].

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Figure 1: Simple Illustration of a Fuel Cell
Fuel cells are perceived as a panacea to the many energy and environmental problems of the 21st
century by through production of clean and efficient energy and heat from a wide array of
primary energy source [8-11]. Lu et al. point out that fuel cells generate a myriad of benefits far
beyond the other energy sources and technologies [12].
1.2. The Statement of the Problem and Subproblems
The annual demand for energy increases at an alarming rate due to increased consumption of
energy especially electricity at both industrial and resident level. In the last three decades, the
human population has doubled characterized by escalating industrialization and urbanization
pursuits. Increase in energy demand increases with the exploitation of energy sources especially
fossil fuels more so coal [13, 1]. Fossil fuels heavy usage results in the ever-increasing emission
of CO2 and other greenhouse gases and other toxins into the environment [8]. From 2000 to
2010, the global demand for energy is estimated to have increased by 1.8% annually; the energy
is largely obtained from fossil fuels which are unequivocally harmful to the environment [14].
Australia recorded the highest increase (2.3% increase – 6,066 petajoules) in the rate of energy
consumption between 2015-16 with an annual increase of 0.6% for the last decade [12]. Oil and
coal were the largest sources of energy at 37% and 32% respectively between 2015-16 followed
by natural gases at 25% and renewables at 6% [12]. The increased demands of energy obtained
from fossil fuels resulted in Australia’s GHG emissions to reach 556.4 metric tons of CO2 in the
last three years [3]. Thefeore, there is a dire need for alternative sources of clean and efficient
energy.
According to Australia’s Hydrogen Strategy Group, fuel cells especially hydrogen fuel cells have
the capability of transforming the energy sector, combating climate change and promoting a

Engineering Research Practice
sustainable globe [5]. However, despite the increased promotion of fuel cell technologies in
Australia and across the globe, the deployment and implementation of the technologies have not
been felt by the global community. Designing and implementation of the system are faced by a
wide array of challenges as well as opportunities. Indeed fuel cells are undeniably an invaluable
alternative to fossil fuels due to their zero direct GHG emission and thermodynamic efficiencies
but despite the many efforts undertaken by both private and governmental researchers and
agencies, its application is under matched with the expectations [16, 10, 17]. This paper,
therefore, seeks to evaluate the current status of fuel cell technology and the policy measures
adopted by different Australian territories and states in supporting the technology. The
subproblem will include an evaluation of the most suitable elements and electrolytes to be used
to produce more clean and efficient energy with cell capital.
1.3. The scope of the Study
The scope of the research problem shall focus on:
i. Conducting fuel cell patent analysis in South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland.
According to Australia’s Hydrogen Strategy Group, these three regions have the highest
storage of renewables, heavy vehicles, hydrogen exports and research and development
(R&D) [5].
ii. Testing the most suitable and cheapest electrolyte to be used in hydrogen fuel cells.
1.4. Research Question
i. How does the fuel cell patents affect fuel cell technology in South Australia, Western
Australia and Queensland?
ii. What is the most suitable, clean, efficient, and cheap electrolyte to be used in hydrogen
fuel cells?
The study shall use hydrogen and oxygen as the source of fuel passing through different types of
alkaline electrolytes. The expected outputs of the process are electric energy (electricity), thermal
energy (heat) and water. Manufactured hydrogen shall be used in the study while air shall be
used to obtain oxygen through the electrolyser the cathode and anode respectively.
1.5. Assumptions
Several assumptions underpin this study. The researcher shall assume that:
a. There will be readily available fuel cell and related database of journal articles and other
researches in South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland.
b. There will be easily accessible fuel cells patents in South Australia, Western Australia
and Queensland.
c. All the types of alkaline electrolytes used in the hydrogen cells will produce heat,
electricity and water.
d. The amount of heat, water and electricity produced by the hydrogen cell will vary with
the type of alkaline electrolyte.

Engineering Research Practice
2. Literature Review
2.1. Environmental Sustainability
Energy is a central element in the relationship and interactions between society and nature as
well as a crucial input for environmental sustainability and development [18]. In the current
millennium, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, a major causative agent of global warming is a
primary environmental threat worldwide. CO2 and other GHGs are majorly emitted from the
burning of fossil fuels for energy in an attempt to meet the high energy demand against the
availability of clean and cheap substitutes of energy. According to Mahmud, the current global
demand for energy is obtained from a mixture of sources stemming from non-renewable to
renewables such as solar and wind energy. Coal contributes at least 40% of the global energy,
gas about 20% while nuclear energy about 6% [14]. Australia recorded a 2.3% rise in energy
consumption between 2015 and 2016 where 63% was generated from coal, 15% from
renewables, and 10% from uranium [12]. Energy production increased by 3% in 2015-16 with
coal production declining by 1% [12] (see Figure 2). This clearly indicates the need for
alternative sources of energy that are clean and efficient.
Figure 2: Energy Consumption Rates Based on Energy Source in 2015/16 [12]
Many of the environmental problems experienced today are centred on energy demand, supply,
exploitation and utilization against human population growth and modernization [18]. Therefore,
scientists have been devoted significant resources and time to search for other efficient, clean
and cheap alternative sources and method of producing energy. Hydrogen fuels as a fuel and fuel
cells as the technology have been noted as the promising method for the generation of more
efficient and ecologically friendly energy. Sir William Robert Grove is cited as the first scientist
to have experimented and invented the Fuel cell in 1839 where he combined hydrogen gas and
oxygen gas through an electrolyte medium in a reaction that produced electricity [6]. Also, other
scientists have used different elements such as carbon cycle and solid oxide fuel cells [19].
Thereafter up to date, many scientists have endeavoured to improve and advance Sir Willian’s
fuel cell design to produce greater quantities of energy in an efficient manner at lower costs and
producing zero GHGs into the environment as well as expanding the application of the fuels to
transportation vehicles such as rockets and cars among others. Figure 3 shows the evolution
trend in sources of energy by 2100.

Engineering Research Practice
Figure 3: Evolution Trend in Sources of Energy by 2100 [18]
2.2. Hydrogen Fuel Cells
According to Ambrose et al., adoption of fuel cells especially clean and efficient hydrogen fuel
cells is an inevitable and invaluable strategy to solving the double challenges of energy security
and climate change [20, 13]. An increasing momentum towards sustainable transportation
manifested by the introduction of hydrogen fuel vehicles (FCVs) has been recorded in many
countries across the globe [20]. Technological advancements in fuel energy is a vital and
indispensable strategy to leveraging economic development and environmental protection,
conservation and sustainability.
For more than 170 years since the invention of the fuel cells, their potential has not been fully
tapped. Nonetheless, significant fruitful studies have been undertaken across the world on the
fuel cells with an aim of improving the efficacy of the cells by determining the most suitable
combination of elements that would produce the highest power efficiently and cheaply [7, 6].
Federal and state government, policymakers and automakers of Australia are increasingly
deploying fuel cells not only in FCVs but as well as stationary applications as well as for
exportation. Australia is cited to be well-positioned to be a leader in hydrogen expert sector
globally [5].
2.3. Fuel Cells Electrolytes
Fuel cells working mechanism exploits hydrogen atom energy carrying capability. Fuel cells are
typically composed of a negative electrode (anode) and a positive electrode (cathode) separated
by either a solid or liquid substance (electrolyte). The electrodes are always permeable picked
based on the source of the fuel, they as well as have catalyst such as palladium or platinum [6,

Engineering Research Practice
10, 13] (See figure 4). Application of electrical potential between the electrode forces hydrogen
to form on the positive electrode while oxygen is attracted to the negative electrode where either
of the gases is collected.
Figure 4: The General Working Mechanisms of Fuel Cells [21]
Different sources of fuels (see Figure 5) which are classified into two primary groups: the carbon
capture and storage (CCS) fuel including fossils fuels and the renewable hydrogen sources made
of water and natural or artificial hydrogen gas [5, 19]. Fuel cells using renewable sources of
energy are increasingly being deployed, however, the cells efficiency and production ability are
significantly limited by the type of electrolyser.

Engineering Research Practice
Figure 5: Sources and Application of Fuel Cells [12]
As alluded earlier, there are various sources of fuels that can be used in fuel cells but the
production capacity of cells depends on the type of electrolyte, electrode and source of fuel.
Determining all the potential and efficient electrolytes and elements is an expensive and time-
consuming venture due to the different properties of the elements and substances. There are two
primary types of electrolytes currently available and used commercially: Alkaline electrolysers
and proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers [5, 19] but solid oxide electrolysers are
currently available [19]. The former is the most preferable because it is most commonly used and
technologically mature as compared to PEM electrolysers [5]. The fuel cell continuous operation
requires heat exchangers, compressors, water pumps and purifiers that depend on the type of
electrolyte. Following this reason, this study focuses on determining and narrowing down to the
most feasible and suitable elements that can be efficiently combined to produce optimal output
under varying conditions. Alkaline fuel cells as the first fuel cell designs. The fuel cell design’s
working mechanism leverages on the boiling point and high conductivity potential of the used
electrolysers [22].
3. The Research Methodology
This study’s research had two separate research methodologies where the first part shall focus on
efforts undertaken by state and territorial governments of Western Australia, Queensland, and
South Australia in support fuel cell technology while the second part focuses on testing and
determining suitable, cheap, and efficient electrolysers for hydrogen fuel gas.
3.1. Patent Analysis
According to Haslam, Jupesta, and Parayil [17], diffusion of innovation and technological
development and advancements often follow an S-curve where the progress is often slow at
initial stages but gradually and steadily gains a momentum of rapid advancements to a plateau or
optimal point where a market dominance is achieved with relatively constant advancements. The
trend of advancements depicts the potential of the innovation or technology to be expanded and
improved. Therefore, through a patent analysis, it is possible to identify the trend of fuel cell

Engineering Research Practice
technology development and advancements in Western Australia, South Australia and
Queensland hence helping the Australian policymakers in promoting the fuel cell technology.
The data for patent analysis shall be obtained from IP Australia database, an agency of the
Australian government mandated with the responsibility of administering intellectual property
(IP) legislation and rights related to designs, trademarks, and patents among others [23]. The
database allows a search of all the patents filed in Australia, patents for each state and territory
shall be determined by the organisations hosting the patents. The patent search shall be
conducted using the term “fuel cell” hence shall return all patents containing the term “fuel cell.”
The study will only consider patents filed in the last 15 years that is from 2003-2017 (See
Appendix 1). The number of patents per territory per year shall be a group and analysed
descriptively using frequency and interpreted using trendlines.
3.2. Design and Testing of Fuel Cells
Task 1: Designing and Building a Fuel Cell
The first step for this practical section shall design and develop a working fuel cell that shall be
used in the subsequent experiments. The primary objective of the design for the generation of the
optimal electricity from the fuel cell.
Task 2: Obtaining of all the electrolysers
The study aims to determine the most efficient and cheap electrolyte to be used in the hydrogen
fuel cell. Therefore, at this juncture, the researcher shall obtain several electrolysers including
solid and liquid electrolytes that shall be tested.
Task 3: System Configuration
At this section, assumptions regarding engineering design, electrochemistry calculations, and
heat transfer, as well as cost calculations of the fuel cell system, shall be undertaken with an aim
of optimizing the systems electric power production [16]. The engineering assumptions shall be
based on the air and hydrogen consumption as well as the production of electricity, heat and
water; electrochemistry shall focus inf voltage and current calculation shall be performed while
heat transfer shall focus on the cooling potential of the electrolyte.
Task 4: System Modelling
Calculation based on the series of assumption determined under system configuration shall be
undertaken with reference to the targeted quantity of electricity to be produced by the cell.
General Algebraic Modelling System (GAMS) software shall be used to scrutinize the
electrochemistry relations.
Task 5: Cost Model
Fuel cells require additional support equipment such as water purifiers and pumps, circulating
pumps. Heat exchanger, hydrogen storage tank among other peripheral equipment which cost

Engineering Research Practice
money. The fuel cell itself require money as well, therefore a need to develop a cost model for
the cell against the anticipated life expectancy of the cell.
Task 6: Testing the Fuel Cell
This is the second last section where the fuel cell shall be tested using different electrolysers.
Task 7: Data Analysis and Interpretation
The data obtained from Task 6 shall be analysed based on the heat, water and electric power
produced by each electrolyte against the cost model. The cost model shall be used to determine
the most suitable electrolyte.
4. An outline of the proposed study
4.1. Activities
1. Collection of patent information from the IP Australia database on patents filled in
Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland.
1.1. Grouping the data by filling Appendix 1 data collection shit.
1.2. Analysis and presentation of the patent information of the three regions.
2. Designing of the fuel cells
2.1. Listing all the materials need to make the fuel cells
2.2. Collecting the materials
2.3. Making the fuel cell
3. System Configurations
3.1. Making assumptions about the functionality of the fuel cell and the expected
outcomes
4. System Modelling
4.1. Calculating and theoretical testing of the assumptions
5. Testing the Fuel Cell
5.1. Measuring the input and output of the fuel cell
5.2. Replacing the electrolysers and measuring their output
6. Cost Modelling
6.1. Comparing the output of fuel cell per type of electrolyte
6.2. Deciding on the most suitable and efficient electrolyte.
4.2. Resources
The experiment shall require:
a. Electrodes, electrolytes and other peripheral materials to make the fuel cell
4.3. Timeline
The study is anticipated to be completed within three weeks as shown in Appendix 2,

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4.4. Research Output
Patent analysis result shall be presented in trendlines charts, three trendlines shall be on the chart
for the three regions. For Fuel cell test, the cost model and the heat, water and electricity output
for each electrolyte used shall be presented in tables.

Engineering Research Practice
5. References
[1] I. Staffell and P. Dodds, Eds., The role of hydrogen and fuel cells in future energy systems (A
H2FC SUPERGEN White Paper), London, UK: H2FC SUPERGEN, 2017.
[2] W. R. W. Daud, S. K. Kamarudin, A. Ahmad, M. M. Nasef and A. B. Mohamad, “Preface to
the special issue on “Sustainable fuel cell and hydrogen technologies: The 5th International
Conference on Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technology (ICFCHT 2015), 1–3 September 2015,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia”,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 14, no. 42, pp.
8973-8974, 2017.
[3] G. Bourne, A. Stock, W. Steffen, P. Stock and L. Brailsford, “Working Paper: Australia’s
Rising Greenhouse Gas Emissions,” Climate Council of Australia, Potts Point, AU, 2018.
[4] M. M. Ghanem, O. M. Al Wassal, A. A. Kotv and M. A. El-Shahhat, “Microbial Fuel Cell
for Electricity Generation and Waste Water Treatment,” International Journal of
Sustainable and Green Energy, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 40-45, 2016.
[5] Hydrogen Strategy Group, “Hydrogen for Australia’s future: A briefing paper for the COAG
Energy Council,” Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, ACT, 2018. Available:
https://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/HydrogenCOAGWhitePaper_WEB.p
df.
[6] E. A. Merewether, “Alternative Sources of Energy - An Introduction to Fuel Cells,” U.S.
Geological Survey Bulletin, vol. 2179, pp. 1-14, 2003.
[7] N. Brandon and D. Hart, “An Introduction to Fuel Cell Technology and Economics,” Centre
for Energy Policy and Technology (ICCEPT), Imperial College of Science, Technology and
Medicine, London, 1999.
[8] European Commission, “Hydrogen Energy and Fuel Cells: A vision of our future,” European
Commission, Brussels, 2003. Available:
https://www.fch.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/hlg_vision_report_en.pdf.
[9] M. Ni, M. K. Leung and D. Y. Leung, “Technological development and the prospect of
alkaline fuel cells,” in Proceedings of 16th World Hydrogen Energy Conference, Lyon,
France, 2006.
[10] A. Dicks and J. Larminie, Fuel Cell Systems Explained, West Sussex, England: John Wiley
& Son, 2003.
[11] M. Cifrain and K. Kordesch, “Hydrogen/oxygen (air) fuel cells with alkaline electrolytes,”
in Handbook of Fuel Cells-Fundamentals, Technology and Applications, W. Vielstich, A.
Lamm and H. A. Gasteiger, Eds., Chichester, UK, John Wiley & Sons, 2003, pp. 267-280.

Engineering Research Practice
[12] T. Lu, Y. Cai, L. Souamy, X. Song, L. Zhang and J. Wang, “Solid oxide fuel cell
technology for sustainable development in China: An overview,” International Journal of
Hydrogen Energy, vol. 43, pp. 12870-12891, 2018.
[13] R. O'hayre, S. W. Cha, F. B. Prinz and W. Colella, Fuel cell fundamentals, 3 ed., New
Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, 2016.
[14] K. Mahmud, “Fuel cell and renewable hydrogen energy to meet household energy demand,”
International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology, vol. 54, pp. 97-102, 2013.
[15] Department of the Environment and Energy, “Australian Energy Update 2017,” Department
of the Environment and Energy, Canberra, ACT, 2017. Available:
https://www.energy.gov.au/sites/g/files/net3411/f/energy-update-report-2017.pdf.
[16] L. Ariyanfar, H. Ghadamian and R. Roshandel, “Alkaline Fuel Cell (AFC) Engineering
Design; Modeling and Simulation for UPS Provide in Laboratory Application,” in World
Renewable Energy Congress-Sweden, Linköping, Sweden, 2011.
[17] G. E. Haslam, J. Jupesta and G. Parayil, “An Analysis of Fuel Cell Technology for
Sustainable Transport in Asia,” Research Gate, 2015.
[18] I. Dincer, “Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies for Sustainable Future,” Jordan Journal
of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 1-14, 2008.
[19] C. Kubert, “Fuel cell technology: A clean, reliable source of stationary power,” Fuel Cells:
Briefing papers for state policymakers, pp. 1-22, August 2011.
[20] A. F. Ambrose, A. Q. Al-Amin, R. Rasiah, R. Saudur and N. Amin, “Prospects for
introducing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in Malaysia,” International Journal of Hydrogen
Energy, vol. 42, no. 14, pp. 9125-9134, 2017.
[21] R. Raza, N. Akram, M. S. Javed, A. Rafique, K. Ullah, A. Ali, M. Saleem and R. Ahmed,
“Fuel cell technology for sustainable development in Pakistan–An overview,” Renewable
and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 53, pp. 450-461, 2016.
[22] M. Alhassan and M. Umar Garba, “Design of an Alkaline Fuel Cell,” Leonardo Electronic
Journal of Practices and Technologies, vol. 9, pp. 99-106, 2006.
[23] IP Australia, “Find Patents & Licences,” 2018. [Online]. Available:
https://sourceip.ipaustralia.gov.au/patents?search=querystring%3Dfuel%2Bcell
%26advanced%3Dfalse&page=1.
[24] K. Kendall, “Hydrogen and fuel cells in city transport,” International Journal of Energy
Research, vol. 40, p. 30–35, 2016.

Engineering Research Practice
6. Appendix
Appendix 1: Data Collection Template for Patents
Territory Year
2003 200
4
2005 2006 200
7
2008 2009 201
0
2011 201
2
2013 2014 201
5
2016 2017
Western
Australia
South
Australia
Queenslan
d
Total
Appendix 2: Research Work Plan
Activity Week 1 Week 2 Week 3
Mo
n
Tu
e
We
d
Th
ur
F
ri
Mo
n
Tu
e
We
d
Th
ur
F
ri
Mo
n
Tu
e
We
d
Th
ur
F
ri
1. Collectio
n of patent
informatio
n from the
IP
Australia
database.
2. Grouping
the data.
3. Patent
data
analysis
and
presentatio
n.
4. Designin
g of the
fuel cells
5. Listing
and
collection
of all the
required
materials.
6. Making
the fuel

Engineering Research Practice
Activity Week 1 Week 2 Week 3
Mo
n
Tu
e
We
d
Th
ur
F
ri
Mo
n
Tu
e
We
d
Th
ur
F
ri
Mo
n
Tu
e
We
d
Th
ur
F
ri
cell.
7. System
Configurat
ions
8. System
Modelling
9. Testing
the Fuel
Cell
10. Cost
Modelling
11. Data
presentatio
n and
Analysis
12. Report
Writing