CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Nowadays, we might notice that we are experiencing scheduled brown-outs in

different areas in the Philippines and even all over the globe due to global climate instability

occurrences that causes energy crisis. During extreme drought, hydroelectric power plants

had hard time in gaining power since water level is low and it will affect the generation of

power since number of turns is affected too. During extreme rainy days, solar power plants

are the one that is also having the problems of generating power. So indeed we could say that

environmental changes really affect our energy that leads us to what we call energy crisis. On

the other hand, not only environmental changes affect power generation but also other forms

of energy are also depleting nowadays like fossil fuels and it is getting expensive as time

passes by. What will happen to us on the future when energy is limited? When energy is

costly? When energy is too hard to find?

In review, environment has been damaged by our own activities yet it affects us more

and more. It affects our power generation. Other forms of energy are limited since it is not

renewable like fossil fuels, coal, and etc. Global energy crisis causes costly energy and power

as time passes by and affects technology and our lifestyle. Therefore, this project is proposed

to be one of the solutions for the said energy and economic crisis since it uses one of the

most abundant substances on earth which is water. It is also a renewable and environmental

friendly. It can be useful and helpful for us in the future economically and environmentally.
1.2 Statement of the problem

To develop the H2O as fuel or as the source power for residential or industrial use.

1.3 Objectives of the study

1. To generate power or fuel from water compound in a residential or even industrial

load.

2. To developed economical and environmental source of power for residential and

industrial applications.

3. To generate quality hydrogen to be used as source of energy and power for

industrial use.

4. To developed a monitoring system of a residential and industrial loads to

minimized danger in terms of backfiring and other factors.

1.4 Locale of the study

The study of H2O power is conducted in Iligan City. All the materials and

equipments used were borrowed, fabricated, and bought in Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro City,

and others that are not available were ordered online.

1.5 Significance of the study

The H2O power is beneficial to the communities that are having no access to

electricity and/or considering alternative electric power source where lighting and small

electrical load is its primary need. It is significant since through this study, power is possible

as long as there is water. This system is doing a renewable energy cycle so it would be
helpful for the people having hard time paying their bills for power. Depletion of water is

impossible since the sea is so vast for depletion. Using such gives economic and

environmental advantage and to everyone.

1.6 Conceptual framework

Figure 1.1 System Structure

In the figure 1.1, shows the sequential order of its processes. Starting with a DC

rechargeable battery and a water which will go through a process called electrolysis to

separate hydrogen and oxygen from the compound and by that, extracting hydrogen and

using it as fuel. After having enough quality hydrogen. It is now ready to undergo

processes for residential or industrial applications. In the example application in the the

system, the hydrogen that was produced is then passed through an internal combustion
 engine connected the generator which now could generate power. Now that the

researchers obtain a power, the goal is that it could supply an enough power to operate a

residential or industrial loading depending upon what is required. It will be monitored by

the software developer and firmware by a computerized interfaced system to monitor

currents, power, and other factors that affects the system’s efficiency and reliability.

After those events or even during these events, it now then assigns different relays

for protection and then it is distributed to its loads while auto-charging at the same way

and time.

1.7 Theoretical framework

This section provides an overview discussion of the major components used in this

project. The specification and operation of the major components will be discussed in this

section as well.

1.7.1 DC rechargeable battery

A rechargeable battery or storage battery is a group of one or more electrochemical

cells. They are known as secondary cells because their electrochemical reactions are

electrically reversible. Rechargeable batteries come in many different shapes and sizes,

ranging anything from a button cell to megawatt systems connected to stabilize an electrical

distribution network. In the system, its function is merely to energize the process called

electrolysis of which is going to extract oxygen and hydrogen in gas form from each other.
1.7.2 Metal Plates

Metal-plates have a big role in the process of electrolysis. There are lots of designs

and materials used for a metal plate in order to extract hydrogen faster. Sometimes, these

plates are using alternating galvanized steel and perforated aluminum plates to increase the

extraction rate of hydrogen from salt water by electrolysis. The galvanized steel plates are

wired together to form the anode while the perforated aluminum plates are also wire together

to form the cathode around which the hydrogen is extracted. The perforated aluminum also

reacts with the sodium hydroxide, produced during electrolysis, to release even more

hydrogen from the solution. The myriad of perforations in the aluminum plates creates

numerous contact points with the solution so that the electrical current can extract the

hydrogen more efficiently from the salt water.

1.7.3 Piping or Tubing

Within industry, piping is a system of pipes used to convey fluids (liquids and gases)

from one location to another. The engineering discipline of piping design studies the efficient

transport of fluid. Industrial process piping (and accompanying in-line components) can be

manufactured from wood, fiberglass, glass, steel, aluminum, plastic, copper, and concrete.

The in-line components, known as fittings, valves, and other devices, typically sense and

control the pressure, flow rate and temperature of the transmitted fluid, and usually are

included in the field of Piping Design (or Piping Engineering). Piping systems are

documented in piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs). If necessary, pipes can be

cleaned by the tube cleaning process. In the system of this study, proper piping is really

encouraged since the researchers are dealing with hydrogen gas which is very dangerous
combustion gas. By then, it is very important to know what kind of piping material is used so

that it couldn’t affect the system by some chemical reactions with the pipes.

1.8 Scope and limitations

This project can’t stand alone. This should have monitoring personnel. Volume of

water or hydrogen should always be check so the operation will be continuous especially for

industrial applications and other factors that should be checked since this project also

concerns about safety.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2.1 Review of Related Theories

2.1.1 Hydrogen as Fuel

Hydrogen gas (dihydrogen or molecular hydrogen) is highly flammable and will burn

in air at a very wide range of concentrations between 4% and 75% by volume. The enthalpy

of combustion for hydrogen is −286 kJ/mol:

2 H2(g) + O2(g) → 2 H2O(l) + 572 kJ (286 kJ/mol)

Hydrogen gas forms explosive mixtures with air in the concentration range 4–74%

(volume per cent of hydrogen in air) and with chlorine in the range 5–95%. The mixtures

spontaneously detonate by spark, heat or sunlight. The hydrogen auto-ignition temperature,

the temperature of spontaneous ignition in air, is 500 °C (932 °F).

2.1.2 Water (H2O) and its Chemical Composition

Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H 2O. Its molecule contains

one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at

ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state,

water vapor or steam. Water covers 70.9% of the Earth's surface, and is vital for all known

forms of life. On Earth, it is found mostly in oceans and other large water bodies, with 1.6%

of water below ground in aquifers and 0.001% in the air as vapor, clouds (formed of solid

and liquid water particles suspended in air), and precipitation. Oceans hold 97% of surface
water, glaciers and polar ice caps 2.4%, and other land surface water such as rivers, lakes and

ponds 0.6%. A very small amount of the Earth's water is contained within biological bodies

and manufactured products.

2.1.3 Hydrogen and its Chemical Composition

Hydrogen is the chemical element with atomic number 1. It is represented by the symbol

H. With an atomic weight of 1.00794 u (1.007825 u for Hydrogen-1), hydrogen is the lightest

and most abundant chemical element, constituting roughly 75 % of the Universe's elemental

mass. Hydrogen gas (now known to be H 2) was first artificially produced in the early 16th

century, via the mixing of metals with strong acids. In 1766–81, Henry Cavendish was the first to

recognize that hydrogen gas was a discrete substance, and that it produces water when burned, a

property which later gave it its name, which in Greek means "water-former.“ At standard

temperature and pressure, hydrogen is a colorless, odorless, nonmetallic, tasteless, highly

combustible diatomic gas with the molecular formula H 2.

2.1.4 Electrolysis

Electrolysis is a method of separating elements by pushing an electric current through

a compound. It is used in various industrial applications such as removing copper from its

ore. It is also used to separate hydrogen and oxygen from water. Electrolysis isn't the most

efficient way to obtain hydrogen, but it is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to

"homebrew" hydrogen. The water molecule is held together by the electromagnetic attraction

between these ions. When electricity is introduced to water through two electrodes, a cathode

(negative) and an anode (positive), these ions are attracted to the opposite charged electrode.

Therefore the positively charged hydrogen ions will collect on the cathode and the negatively
charged oxygen will collect on the anode. The reason this system isn't very efficient is

because some of the electrical energy is converted into heat during the process.

2.1.5 Electrolysis of Brine Solution

Electrolysis is where you pass electricity through an electrolyte, in this case salt

water. When this is done, the water appears to be boiling, even though it's not very hot. Well,

what's happening is much cooler and a lot different than boiling water. This reaction is

actually a decomposition reaction. However, the result depends on the type of material you

use for the electrodes. For instance, using paper clips, which are mostly iron and copper, you

get hydrogen gas and a compound of iron known as iron hydroxide. You get this result

because of the process of decomposition. What actually happens is that the electricity breaks

the water into hydride and hydroxide ions. A hydride ion is practically a hydrogen atom

without its electrons. Hydrogen does not want to stay an ion for long when it's free, so it joins

up with another hydrogen atom to form hydrogen gas. The hydroxide ion combines with the

iron (or copper) in your paper clips to form iron hydroxide. That's the green stuff that you see

in your lid. If you were to do this with carbon electrodes (such as the graphite in a pencil:

graphite is dense carbon.), you get hydrogen gas and chlorine gas. You get the chlorine out of

the salt water (because salt water is actually a solution of sodium and chlorine ions in water).

The reaction produces hydroxide as well, but it displaces the chlorine in the solution. You

can tell this is happening because the water becomes basic because sodium and hydroxide

ions in water is a strong base. The chlorine, because it's an ion, doesn't want to stay that way

for long when it's alone, so it forms chlorine gas (You would recognize the smell of

chlorine). The reason you get this result is because carbon, in its graphite form, is not

reactive, like metals are.

An electrolytic cell decomposes chemical compounds by means of electrical energy,

in a process called electrolysis; the Greek word lysis means to break up. The result is that the

chemical energy is increased. Important examples of electrolysis are the decomposition of

water into hydrogen and oxygen, and bauxite into aluminium and other chemicals. An

electrolytic cell has three component parts: an electrolyte and two electrodes (a cathode and

an anode). The electrolyte is usually a solution of water or other solvents in which ions are

dissolved. Molten salts such as sodium chloride are also electrolytes. When driven by an

external voltage applied to the electrodes, the electrolyte provides ions that flow to and from

the electrodes, where charge-transferring, or faradaic, or redox, reactions can take place.

Only for an external electrical potential (i.e. voltage) of the correct polarity and large enough

magnitude can an electrolytic cell decompose a normally stable, or inert chemical compound

in the solution. The electrical energy provided undoes the effect of spontaneous chemical

reactions.

2.2 Review of Related Studies

2.2.1 Hydrogen Powered Vehicles

Hydrogen Powered Vehicles is an alternative fuel vehicle that uses hydrogen as its

onboard fuel for motive power. The term may refer to a personal transportation vehicle, such

as an automobile, or any other vehicle that uses hydrogen in a similar fashion, such as an

aircraft. The power plants of such vehicles convert the chemical energy of hydrogen to

mechanical energy either by burning hydrogen in an internal combustion engine, or by

reacting hydrogen with oxygen in a fuel cell to run electric motors. The engine is not much
different from an ordinary gasoline engine. The use of hydrogen greatly reduces emissions

although nitrous oxides are still a problem. Engine efficiency about equals a diesel, about

35%. The hydrogen is stored in a tank that is rated at 240 atmospheres (240 bars). The range

is only 62 miles. Ford does not give the price of the P2000, but it should be inexpensive

given that all of the components are rather ordinary.

2.2.2 Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle

A hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicle (HICEV) is a type of hydrogen

vehicle using an internal combustion engine. Hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles

are different from hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (which use hydrogen + oxygen rather than

hydrogen + air); the hydrogen internal combustion engine is simply a modified version of the

traditional gasoline-powered internal combustion engine. Difference between a hydrogen

ICE from a traditional gasoline engine could include hardened valves and valve seats,

stronger connecting rods, non-platinum tipped spark plugs, higher voltage ignition coil, fuel

injectors designed for a gas instead of a liquid, larger crankshaft damper, stronger head

gasket material, modified (for supercharger) intake manifold, positive pressure supercharger,

and a high temperature engine oil. All modifications would amount to about one point five

times (1.5) the current cost of a gasoline engine. These hydrogen engines burn fuel in the

same manner that gasoline engines do. The power output of a direct injected hydrogen engine

vehicle is 20% more than for a gasoline engine vehicle and 42% more than a hydrogen

engine vehicle using a carburetor.

Hydrogen technologies are technologies that relate to the production and use of

hydrogen. Hydrogen technologies are applicable for many uses. Some hydrogen technologies

are carbon neutral and could have a role in preventing climate change and a possible future

hydrogen economy. Hydrogen is not in and of itself an energy source, because it is not

naturally occurring as a fuel. It is, however widely regarded as an ideal energy storage

medium, due to the ease with which electric power can convert water into its hydrogen and

oxygen components through electrolysis. The potential environmental impact depends

primarily on the methods used to generate the hydrogen fuel.

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Planning of topic or subject

Before the project was decided to be implemented by the researchers, the researchers

planned on it and conceptualized with a lot of brainstorming if it should be the best project

among other choices.

3.2 Separation of tasks

In this part of project, the researchers decided to separate tasks to make the project be

more easier and faster that it could be completed on the decided deadline. The tasks were

divided into three parts: the designer/ planner/ or chief researcher, the analyzer and

maintenance, and hardware assembler.

3.3 Designer, planner, & chief researcher

The task of the designer is on calculations and specifications of the designed project.

The project’s hardware and its maintenance standards are based upon what does the designer

said from the research conducted. This job is always advancing from the other tasks since the

other two depends upon what are the standards of the designer’s research. One of the tasks

also is to supervise the other two since it should be inline with the researched specifications

and standards.
3.4 Analyzer and maintenance

In this task assigned, it deals more on monitoring and maintenance of the system.

Analyzer analyzes the system. It is very important job since safety standards are based on its

datas especially the study deals a dangerous hydrogen gas.

3.5 Hardware

In this task assigned, it deals more on hardware and physical activity of the project.

And the same it refers to the design’s specifications and standards. It also should coordinate

with the other tasks.

3.6 Research of each fields

In this part, each researcher is doing a research of their specific task although the

designer is doing an advance study and research since he sets the standards. This includes

internet research and consultations with faculty from St. Peter’s College and other

institutions regarding developments in the systems like auto-charging, monitoring and

controls, and etc. The consultations included discussions on what areas were needed to be

explored to come up with a feasible and economical project study, which would eventually

benefit marginalized communities.

3.7 Writing and documentation of the research’s gathered data

After the researching, all preliminary data gathered during the project research stage

were consolidated, reviewed and critiqued. These preliminary data were used in constructing

the conceptual and theoretical frameworks. These frameworks will then become the
guidelines in analyzing the data produced by the project. Likewise, it was properly discussed

as to how significant the project to the electrical engineering and the society as well. Also,

methods were set to quantify and assess the progress of the research and the project as a

whole. So these datas were written and documented as a hardcopy as a back-up copy for

accidental softcopy corruption and as a preliminary documentation.

3.8 Finalizing of needed equipments and materials for the project

In this part, the researchers meet to agree what equipments and materials that would

be useful and needed in the project.

3.9 Canvassing of needed equipments and materials for the project

After knowing all the equipments and materials that are needed and helpful in the

project, canvassing from different electrical and hardware stores in Iligan City and Cagayan

de Oro City. Online canvassing is also made for those rare items that will be use.

3.10 Rental and purchasing of equipments and materials

All the materials and equipments to be used should be available locally. The

researchers started to canvass the availability and the costs of the needed materials to

measure the feasibility of the project. Canvassing was made in different hardware, electrical

and electronic stores in Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro City, and even online for those most

needed materials and equipments which is not available in the local market. Canvassed

materials will be purchased as soon as the group has made the necessary arrangements. Other
materials will be borrowed from availability of some friends and concerned

individuals/sponsors for the said project.

3.11 Designing of systems to be used, standards, and specifications

Related in 3.3, the designer designs the system that will be use followed by the safety

hardware researcher. The analyzer and maintenance, and hardware assembler are all

dependent on these systems.

3.12 Hardware assembly and fabrication

Hardware assembler assembles the physical design given by the chief researcher and

be monitored by the safety or the system analyzer.

3.13 Tests and measurements

This part will determine whether the design made is successful or not. The

project should go back to 3.11 when it fails, it should be assessed again and trace the

problems. When it pass to its standards and expectations, then the design made is successful.

3.14 Final documentation

The successful design of the project that passed in the test for the standards of the

design will now be documented and printed as the final hardcopy and such documents that

will be presented to the designated panel for any revisions or commendations for final write

up.
3.15 Flow chart
 CHAPTER 4

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Process of Electrolysis

In this area of the study, the researchers are able to do the tests in the study especially

the factors in the process that affects the rate of extracting the hydrogen from water.

4.1.1 Metal Plates

Choosing a material to be used as cathode and anode terminals must be

a good conductors of electricity and must not be a Ferric material since rust

or oxide of metal is poor in conduction of electricity.

4.1.2 Conductors

In the experiment made by the researchers, the conductor sizing also

affects the rate of production of hydrogen especially when heat takes place.

Since heat is the loss of electrical energy and product of overcurrent in the

rated ampacity of the wires.

4.1.3 Water Solution and Electrolyte

Based on the experiments made by the researchers, H2O is poor

conductor of electricity and also it is turbulent path for electrons so therefore

it is very important add electrolyte in the solution to make the rate of

production of hydrogen more faster and maintained. Best electrolyte used in

output gas would be Chlorine and Hydrogen.

4.1.4 Container and Hydrogen Storage

One of the most difficult part in this study is on fabricating the

container or storage of the gas. Since it is not visible and tangible, yet it is one

of the most dangerous gases, therefore finding a proper container is very

important.

In the experiments made by the researchers, the container must not be

a conductor of electricity especially when it is the hydrogen generator itself.

For storage also, it must not be ferric and strong conductor of heat since it is a

hazard for ignition of the gas and could cause an explosion.

4.1.5 Distance and Spacing

Considering the design of the anode and cathode metal plates is

important cause distance to each other are affecting the reaction of the system

or the process of electrolysis. The more closer yet not be shorted the more it is

more fast and stable.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Conclusion

The study of hydrogen of we called the power inside the water compound is now

considered by the researchers due to the proven datas possible as the future use industrially

and even for residential use yet still considering the factors discussed in this research. For

future study, the researcher is now ready to proceed on the systems possible for its use in the

field of Engineering, especially in the field of Electrical Engineering.

5.2 Recommendation

Some fields are already used and others are still on the process of using Hydrogen as

source so it could be one of the engineering applicable system. These are the following:

1. Connection of internal combustion engine with hydrogen and used as primover to

generate electricity and power.

2. Cars and other engines having carburator.

3. Fuelled devices and tools

4. Hydrogen power plant

Books and E-books

Websites

 http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20100213049

 http://www.ewart.org.uk/science/structures/str12.htm

 http://science.jrank.org/pages/2351/Electrolysis-Production-sodium-hydroxide-

chlorine-hydrogen.html

 http://library.thinkquest.org/3347/electrolysis4.html

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_economy

 http://www.physlink.com/education/askexperts/ae367.cfm

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolysis_of_water#Principle

 http://cse.ssl.berkeley.edu/chips_epo/hydrogen.htm

 http://www.webelements.com/hydrogen/

 http://www.tutorvista.com/content/chemistry/chemistry-

iii/hydrogen/hydrogenindex.php


 H2O POWER

A Special Project
Presented to the
Department of Electrical Engineering
College of Engineering
St. Peter’s College
Iligan City

In Partial Fulfilment
Of the Requirements of
EE 17 PROJECT STUDY

Patalinghug, Arnold Anthony B.

March 2011