Fuel's Gold

The car used for the 2018 competition date. We placed 7th out of 15 teams at UCI.

Propulsion:

We are using Hydrogen Fuel Cell to power our vehicle. When hydrogen gas is fed to the anode of the fuel cell, the atoms are ionized to form H⁺ ions and electrons. The fuel cell membrane permits H⁺ through, while blocking the free electrons from passing. The electrons travel to the cathode through the circuit and motor powering the vehicle, while the H⁺ reacts at the cathode with oxygen that is captured from air to form water.

Anode

H₂ → 2H⁺ + 2e^-

Cathode

1⁄2 O₂ + 2H⁺ + 2e^- → H₂O

Overall

2H₂ + O₂ → 2 H₂O

In order to produce the hydrogen and oxygen fuel, we generate them with an electrolyzer made from a nafion membrane with potassium hydroxide as the electrolyte.

The reaction is:

1. Hydroxyl ions in electrolyte mixture mix with CO₂ to form a carbonate:

2OH^- +CO₂^- → CO₃^2- + H₂O

2. Potassium hydroxide in the solution may degrade to potassium carbonate in the presence of a carbonate:

CO₂ + 2KOH^- → K₂CO₃ + H₂O

Stopping Mechanism

There are two reactions that occur in this experiment:

H₂O₂(aq) + 2I^-(aq) + 2H⁺(aq) → I₂(aq) + 2H₂O(l)

2S₂O₃^2-(aq) + I2(aq) → S₄O₆^2-(aq) + 2I^-(aq)

Iodine solution is produced by the first reaction, then it reacts with the thiosulfate ion immediately through the second reaction. After all the thiosulfate ions are consumed, the iodine solution reacts with iodide ions to form tri-iodide ions instead. The solution will turn to a blue-blackish color when produced tri-iodide ions accumulate in the presence of starch.

Features

• Fuel Cell uses a 9V Duracell Battery connected in series to the HHO generator in order to initiate electrolysis.

• PVC piping connects to the flange to allow for the flow and collection of gases into separate syringe and holding container.

• The PVC piping is filled with an alkaline water solution to transfer electrons during electrolysis.