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XT: PGMs key to Fuel Cells/Economy
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XT: PGMs key to Fuel Cells/EconomyPlatinum is key to fuel cells and the hydrogen economy – we don’t have enough now Wingo, 4 – 22-year veteran of the computer, academic, and space communities also an integral force in the use of commercial systems for use in space and flew the first Macintosh on the Space Shuttle as experiment controller, received degree in Engineering Physics at the University of Alabama in Huntsville where he won honors for his academic publications and for his unique approach to small satellite development, Founder & President of SkyCorp Incorporated and has developed a patented approach to the development of highly capable spacecraft manufactured on orbit on the Space Shuttle or International Space Station (David, July 1, 2004, “Moonrush” p. 83-86) JV The Hydrogen Economy and Platinum Platinum, The Key to, and the Achilles Heel of, the Hydrogen Economy Platinum and other Platinum Group Metals (PGM's: platinum, iridium, osmium, rhodium, ruthenium and palladium) are both the key to, and the Achilles heel of, the Hydrogen Economy. PGMs are extremely rare in the Earth's crust, making up only a few parts per billion in igneous rocks. There are certain areas of the world where PGMs are found in concentrations that make mining profitable, but it has to be pointed out that these concentrations are still very small. In the best mines in the world, located at the Merensky Reef in the Bushveld Complex in South Africa, the concentration of PGMs is only 7 to 9 grams per ton with a global average of 4 grams per ton. Today, a fuel cell that runs a small car generates about 50 kilowatts of power. This power level takes about 2 ounces, or 57 grams of platinum for the catalyst. That means that, in order to obtain enough platinum for one car, miners have to dig fourteen tons of ore. Multiply this by the estimated 3 billion cars that a moderately affluent world. would have in 2050 and the picture becomes clear. Research is underway to lower the platinum loading (the amount of platinum per fuel cell) to only about 0.2-0.3 ounces or -5.7-8.5 grams of platinum per automobile. It is hoped that this level of platinum loading will be reached by 2020 for small cars. An SUV class vehicle or freight hauling tractor-trailer would take many times that amount of platinum. There is some question about the ability to reach these low, quantities of platinum for an automobile fuel cell stack but the trend is positive. Recently, laboratory researchers have achieved 22.6 gram, (0.8 ounce) platinum loading. This is a subject of intense research since this is a crucial factor in lowering the cost of a fuel cell powered automobile. Table 7. J gives the world mine production, reserves and reserve base of platinum and palladium; the two most used PGMs: According to the lJS Geological Survey, South Africa has the largest reserves of platinum as shovm in table 7.1. In declining order, this is followed by Russia, the C.S. and Canada. Other minor producers are lumped in as "other." The USGS estimates that the total global reserves that can be mined on the Earth are about 100 million kilograms. If 3 billion cars (an estimate based upon current trends) will be on the road by 2050, the total global reserves of platinum would be sufficient to power these cars ifthe platinum loading of 5.7 grams (0.2 ounces) is reached. If this level is not reached or if you include other uses of platinum and other PGMs, it seems that planetary reserves may not be sufficient to support the full transition to the Hydrogen Economy. In addition to the questions of reserves, there is the issue of the environmental costs associated with the extraction of minute amounts of platinum and other PGMs from tons of ore. With the amount of PGMs necessary to fuel the Hydrogen Economy this is not a trivial issue. Here is another situation where there is a divergence of view concerning what the reserves of platinum are just like what we saw with oil. In a 2002 presentation by Dr. Gerhard von Gnmwaldt, Vice President of the South African National Research Foundation, he presented numbers on the PGM reserves that are substantially different to the USGS numbers. Figure 7.1 gives the number tor proven and unproven reserves of platinum: In Table 7.1 the USGS numbers for reserves for South Africa at 63 million kilograms and the Reserve Base at 70 million kilograms. Figure 7.1 from the South African government contradicts this as they estimate reserves at 203 million ounces or 5.7 million kilograms and a reserve base (inferred resources) at 938 million ounces or 26.5 million kilograms. The total South African economically viable resources are 1141 million ounces or 32.2 million kilograms. This is less than 10% of the resources estimated by the USGS for proven reserves and together less than half of the reserve base. These numbers are considerably smaller than those of the USGS and are cause for considerable concern. The South Africans have a similar view of global platinum reserves. Figure 7.2 gives the South African estimate of global platinum reserves. The South African estimate in figure 7.2 above of global resources is 1523 million ounces or 43.3 million kilograms. Again this is about half the estimate of the USGS. Who is right in these estimates? This is a key question that will ultimately govern the cost of platinum and our ability to make the switch to the Hydrogen Economy if we are to rely solely on terrestrial sources of platinum. Indeed this may drive us inevitably to extraterrestrial resources if the South African estimates are correct. Platinum Usage Trends in the Transition to the Hydrogen Economy The UK government Department of Transportation commissioned a brilliant study, To” executed by AEA Technologies, entitled, "Platinum and Hydrogen for Fuel Cell Vehicles . . , It is an extensive treatment of the issues surrounding the global transition to the Hydrogen Economy. This study covers all of the relevant parameters concerning the production and use of platinum today for transportation, along with .. future demand as we move toward the hydrogen economy. According to the study, even without the hydrogen economy, the transportation industry uses a lot of platinum and palladium. As of 2002, the automotive industry used about 70,750 kilograms of platinum and palladium, equal to 20% of global production. This is expected to increase with more stringent pollution controls on diesel automobile engines in Europe and North America. Platinum is a valuable commodity in applications beyond fuel cells and catalytic converters. Table 7.2 illustrates some of the principal uses of platinum (thousands of ounces): Especially in Asia, there is huge demand for platinum for jewelry because of its beauty and durability. Platinum is one of the most valuable metals, not just for its rarity and beauty, but also for its practical applications. The petroleum industry uses platinum in the catalytic cracking (breaking down of heavy hydrocarbons into lighter ones) of hydrocarbons in refineries. The electronics industry is using increasing amounts of platinum and palladium in the manufacture of hard disk drives and capacitors. In the electronics related glass industry, demand for platinum is accelerating since it is a required material for the production of these wonderful LCD screens that we have come to know and covet. The chemical industry uses platinum as a catalyst to lower the energy required for a plethora of chemical reactions, especially the production of silicone. In the "other" category above are things like platinum fillings, spark plugs, pacemakers, catheters, and many other items that need a high temperature or a corrosion resistant metal. Demand will soar for this versatile metal as we move toward the Hydrogen Economy. Directory: files files -> Answer True False 2 points Question 2 files -> Integer programming and game theory files -> 4 Integer Programming files -> Bpa vehicle Window Repair Scenario #1 task: Procure vehicle window relacement. Objective files -> Pop Warner History files -> North Carolina Inclusion Initiative Mapping Where Children with ieps are Being Served Purpose files -> Fall 2013 Spring 2014 Program Data: Standard 1 Exhibit 4d files -> Hanban – asia society confucius classrooms network 2010 request for proposal files -> Northern England’s set-jetting locations Download 493.63 Kb. Share with your friends:
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