Originally published March 2 2005
Oak Ridge National Laboratory a major research center for fuel cell technology
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
With President Bush calling for the United States to become a world leader in hydrogen fuel technology, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is a vital cog in the nation's fuel cell research. By researching important methods for hydrogen generation, such as retrieving hydrogen from coal gas, and methods for transporting hydrogen safely, such as secure pipelines, ORNL is set to help the United States move toward a hydrogen-fueled future.
In his 2003 State of the Union address, President George Bush communicated an ambitious vision that the United States will lead the world in developing clean, hydrogen-powered automobiles.
The Laboratory is a leader in separation technologies for producing hydrogen.
ORNL is the lead Department of Energy laboratory in studying hydrogen delivery and ranks third in DOE funding for research on vehicular fuel cells.
The microporous membrane is derived from the declassified inorganic membrane developed to enrich uranium in its fissionable isotope at the old Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant.
A team led by Armstrong has developed a new proton conductor, a ceramic oxide, that enables hydrogen to diffuse rapidly through it at temperatures less than 700�C, where most conventional proton-conducting oxides operate.
"This is the 'sweet spot' for separating hydrogen from coal gas."
Hydrogen also can be produced from natural gas and petroleum.
ORNL and DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory have developed a way to remove sulfur from hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas streams using a carbon-based catalyst.
The ORNL catalyst can remove both carbonyl sulfide (COS) and H2S, making it ideal for separating sulfur from coal gas; the sulfur-free gas can be a source of pure hydrogen for fuel cells.
For hydrogen delivery, ORNL researchers are developing and examining materials for pipes and welds that exhibit a very low hydrogen diffusion, or leak rate.
The goal is to replace today's current natural gas pipeline materials with metallic systems and to improve welds, which are potential failure points in pipelines.
The goal is to develop a "smart" pipeline consisting of an extruded polymer pipe liner reinforced by a carbon fiber tow.
The tow is integrated with leak sensors and failure sensors before being wrapped.
Recently, a carbon-based bipolar plate developed by ORNL's Ted Besmann was licensed to Porvair for commercialization.
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