Neah Power Systems Reveals Methanol Fuel Cell Technology
BOTHELL, Wash.– Neah Power Systems, Inc. (NPWZ), the company developing fuel cell-based renewable energy and storage solutions for the military and consumers, disclosed today the benefits of using methanol in its patented porous silicon architecture fuel cell. This further validates Neah’s quest to make its fuel cell the eventual replacement for batteries.
Technology Brief: Methanol: A New Fuel for a New Age
By Danny Wilks, Research Scientist, Neah Power Systems
Neah Power Systems has patented a unique fuel cell using methanol, a readily available fuel source that can provide a volumetric-efficient way to store and deliver hydrogen and which can help balance the carbon cycle.
Methanol is currently produced by reforming natural gas (which is abundant in North America[1]) with steam, but may be produced using biomass sources such as wood or other cellulosic materials[6]. Recent advances show promise in directly converting methane as a waste gas from landfill sites and cattle farming into methanol[2]. Thus creating low-cost, clean renewable energy sources.
Portable power markets continue to rely on conventional batteries for off-grid use, which eventually die, or require re-charging. As the need for long lasting, lightweight and remote power grows, alternative methods to create highly efficient energy fuel sources that can provide continuous power for the military, police, fire departments, first responders, and consumers becomes ever more urgent.
A large driving force for the use of methanol as a fuel source is cost. Historically, the price of methanol has been low in comparison to other alternative fuels, which is currently $0.95/gallon[3]. Although the cost of methanol is subsidized, it may be expected to remain stable as efficient synthesis techniques become more widely practiced.
While hydrogen is primarily produced from fossil fuels, it may be also be made by photosynthesis of algae[4], or electrolysis of water. CO and CO2 can be harvested from sources such as coal power plants or vegetable matter, thus stimulating alternative technology to generate methanol.
Methanol is a commonly found chemical in our daily lives, used in fuels, plastics, cleaning agents, etc. When methanol burns, the byproduct is carbon dioxide and water. Although it must be handled safely, unlike more traditional fuels, such as gasoline, methanol fires are extinguishable with water.
Neah Power Systems specializes in providing a methanol-centric power source that is safe, reliable, economical and environmentally friendly.
Methanol is a very energy dense fuel (by weight and volume) when compared to traditional and advanced energy storage technologies, as shown in Table 1.
This advantage enables longer use of power with minimal impact on size and weight.
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Power Gravimetric Energy Volumetric Energy
Source Density (W-hr/kg) Density (W-hr/L)
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Lithium-ion [5] 125 440
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Lead-acid [5] 30-40 60-75
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Methanol [6] 5,833 4,400
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Hydrogen [7]
(5,000psi
compressed) 33,333 833
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Table 1: Advantages of methanol over conventional fuel sources'
Methanol may also be produced through the reaction of hydrogen and carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide as follows:
CO + 2H2 --> CH3OH CO2 +3H2 --> CH3OH + H2O
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[1] NaturalGas.org, http://www.naturalgas.org/overview/resources.asp,
accessed 10/13/09.
[2] Indarto Antonius et al., "The kinetic studies of direct methane
oxidation to methanol in the plasma process", Chinese Science
Bulletin, Vol. 53(18), 2783-2792, Sept. 2008.
[3] Methenax, http://www.methanex.com/products/methanolprice.html,
accessed 10/13/09.
[4] M. S. Dresselhaus, I. L. Thomas, "Alternative energy
technologies", Nature, Vol. 414(15), Nov. 2001.
[5] D. L. Anglin, D. R. Sadoway, "Battery", in
AccessScience@McGraw-Hill, http://www.accessscience.com,
DOI 10.1036/1097-8542.075200
[6] B. Sorensen, Hydrogen and Fuel Cells: Emerging technologies and
applications, Elsevier Academic Press, Burlington, MA, 2005.
[7] National Research Council and National Academy of Engineering of
the Engineering of the National Academies, The Hydrogen Economy:
Opportunities, Costs, Barriers, and R&D Needs, The National
Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2004.
About Neah Power
Neah Power Systems, Inc. (NPWZ) is developing long-lasting, efficient and safe power solutions for the military and for portable electronic devices. Neah uses a unique, patented, silicon-based design for its micro fuel cells that enable higher power densities, lower cost and compact form-factors. The company’s micro fuel cell system can run in aerobic and anaerobic modes, and is developing energy storage solutions based on its proprietary porous silicon technology.
Further company information can be found at www.neahpower.com.
