Updates

Week 1:
We decided to try to more efficiently store the electrical energy retrieved from solar panels in the form of chemical bonds, specifically hydrogen gas. This gas can then be run through a fuel cell to utilize the stored energy. We also picked our group members, and began working on our design proposal.

Week 2:
After being brought to our attention that storing copious amounts of hydrogen gas could be potentially dangerous, we decided to just run the hydrogen gas directly into a fuel cell. We began searching online for parts we could use to construct our system, and finalized our design proposal, along with a budget.

Week 3:
We have begun buying components of our project online. We managed to find a workable/cheap fuel cell, as well as a decent solar cell. We also learned that we will be observing the output of power in our system, measuring voltage and amperes and using P=IV to calculate power.

Week 4:
Parts began arriving. Thus far, we have in our possession a solar panel ($56.60), fuel cell ($119.32), flow meters ($59.77), PVC end caps ($40.03), and wiring ($18.94). We are still in need of more PVC pipe, potassium hydroxide, tubing, and stainless steel sheet metal.

Week 5:
We will be ready to assemble our system next week. We also began working on a progress presentation to be given week six.

Week 6:
We began constructing our system. We cut the PVC pipe down to the size we intend to use, attached the end caps, and tested electrolysis using a wall outlet as the power source, successfully producing hydrogen gas. However, we encountered problems with the solar panel. The output recorded when testing it was much lower than what was advertised, which has us concerned. We think perhaps we were doing something wrong, because there is no reason that it shouldn't be working.

Week 7:
We tested the solar panel that we obtained, and, with the standard lamp we were given, it produced a much too low amperage (1 mA). Using reaction rate equations, we calculated that with such a low amperage it would not even produce a mL of hydrogen gas--the reaction would be very slow [Reference 6]. Therefore, we were thinking about getting a higher watt lamp or multiple lamps in order to increase this amperage. If we cannot do this or find a better solar panel, we might result in getting new flowmeters that can measure lower units of volume (our current ones measures in liters per minute). Additionally, we discovered a laboratory on Drexel University's campus where we would have access to to effectively. We also discovered external factors that will increase the reaction rate: current, voltage, concentration of ions of electrolyte, and surface area of electrodes (all have a direct relationship with reaction rate), and distance between electrodes (has an indirect relationship) [Reference 7].

Week 8:
We went to Drexel University's Machine Shop cut out the steel into three sets of identically sized plates (large, medium, and small) for a total of six plates. Each anode and cathode had a large, medium, and small sized plate. All of the plates had a 1/4" hole drilled in the center and towards the bottom. Once the identical holes were created, the large, medium, and small plates were connected with a 1/4" x 1 1/2" bolt, with 1/4" washers in between each plate for separation, and a 1/4" nut to secure the plates in place. This created the final product of the anode and cathode for the reactor. However, due to the anode and cathode being slightly too tall, we will have to increase the length of the PVC piping for the body of the reactor. Additionally, we need to find a plastic or non-conducting material to use as a barrier in the center of the reactor to separate the hydrogen and oxygen while not interfering with the electrolysis. Due to the high surface area of the electrodes, we might to result in use of more solar panels or less surface area on the electrodes. This is because current may not be high enough to support this surface area: if not enough current then very little gas will be produced. If it comes down to the case where not enough gas will be made quick enough, we may not use the flowmeters due to them becoming useless. Our next procedure was screwing in holes on top of the reactor PVC end cap to place two brass knobs for the gas tubes inside the reactor. Lastly, there was a hole drilled at the bottom end cap of the reactor to put an additional tube that went partially inside the reactor. This allows us to see the amount of water left in the reactor without disruption the electrolysis reaction. As all of the parts are coming together and testing will be finalized soon, we are preparing for a draft final presentation.

Week 9:
There were two additional holes drilled on the top of the PVC end cap on either side of it protrusion. From the lower inside of the end cap, a 1/4" x 1 1/2" bolt was placed through each hole. To further secure the bolt in place, there were two 1/4" nuts put through the end of the each bolt (located on top of the PVC end cap) and one 1/4" nut through the top of each bolt (located within and directly below the roof of the end cap). The top of each bolt was then welded to a small plate of an electrode to secure the electrodes to the end cap while keeping them separated. We have decided to get more solar panels to produce more power initially; this will help support the use of electrodes with large surface area. With the completed reactor being able to hold 1400 mL (1.4 L) of water, we have calculated that the amount of KOH needed to produce a 1 M solution is 78.54 g. We decided on 1 M KOH solution, for it will produce a consistent and efficient supply of hydrogen gas. With all other parts of the project now complete, the group will be conducting final tests and modifications to get the most energy efficient system.

Week 10:
Flowmeters were no longer doing to be used in the system, because we calculated that enough gas could be produced in a short enough period of time for the flowmeters to measure (measure in L/min). A newer much more larger and powerful solar panel was bought in order to compensate for the large surface area. Additionally, the other smaller panel would not produce enough power in order to get a manageable power out of the fuel cell (potential difference and current). We used a sheet of plexiglass as a non-conductive barrier in between the two electrodes in the reactor; we attached the top of the plexiglass directly in the center of the inside of the end cap. The reason this material was used was to help separate the hydrogen and oxygen gas produced from the cathode and anode respectively, and so it did not interfere with the electrolysis process (another piece of conductive material like metal would have interfered). An additonal portion of leftover plexiglass was glued at the bottom of the the reactor, so there was a stable place to glue the fuel cell in close proximity to the reactor. A tube was connected from the brass knob located above the anode to the H2 side of the fuel cell--the anode is where the hydrogen gas is produced, and another tube was connected with the other brass knob of the cathode to the O2 side of the fuel cell--oxygen gas is produced at the cathode. With the final setup finished, the complete testing was commenced.