HOPE CELL PROTOTYPE – COST EFFECTIVE, AFORDABLE; ON DEMAND; SAFE; SCALABLE;CLEAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS
November 24, 2009 by hopecellPlasma promises ultra low-carbon hydrogen production
November 15, 2009 by hopecellINDEPENDENT RESEARCH PROVE IT !!!!!!!!!!
SOURCE http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/online/news/articles/2008-10/Plasma-promises-hydrogen-product
Scientists at Manchester University are working on a new means of producing hydrogen that they claim could reduce the energy required to produce the gas by a factor of 10, potentially paving the way for a cost-effective and energy-efficient means of powering fuel cells.
The research – which forms part of a new £5m project to develop new techniques for producing, storing and distributing hydrogen funded by the UK Research Councils’ SUPERGEN programme and involving 13 universities across the country – is to investigate a process known as plasma reforming, which scientists believe could slash the temperatures required to produce hydrogen.
Currently, most hydrogen is produced using a process called steam reforming, which applies catalysts to a mixture of methane and steam at high pressures and at temperatures of between 800 and 1,000 degrees centigrade.
Achieving such temperatures requires high levels of energy and as a result the carbon savings associated with zero-emission fuel cells are typically partially offset by the energy it takes to produce hydrogen in the first place.
However, Professor Christopher Whitehead, who will lead Manchester University’s research effort, insisted that the plasma-reforming process could help cut the carbon footprint associated with hydrogen production by up to 90 per cent.
Plasmas are partially ionized gases that are electrically conductive. Whitehead explained that adding an electrical discharge to the plasma initiates the reaction required to remove hydrogen from methane at relatively low temperatures, improving the energy efficiency of the process.
“Any process that can bring down the operating temperature will have big advantages, and we think using plasma could bring it down from more than 800 degrees to about 100 degrees,” he said.
The process has been pioneered on a small scale to remove pollutants from gas flue pipes, but Whitehead is confident that a technically feasible version of the process for producing hydrogen from methane could be developed within five years.
He added that the technology would be highly scalable, potentially helping to address the hydrogen distribution problems that experts believe will represent the biggest stumbling block to mainstream adoption of fuel cells.
“Because you can simply turn the process on and off, it could feasibly be used in small-scale generators in people’s homes where you turn natural gas into hydrogen overnight for use in their cars,” Whitehead predicted.
While this process would still result in some carbon emissions, Whitehead argued that plasma reforming could also form part of a truly carbon-neutral hydrogen production process where the energy used to drive the technology is generated from renewable sources and the captured methane is taken from landfill sites.
The research is to be undertaken as just one part of a wider project involving scientists and economists from 13 UK universities and 12 industrial partners, and dedicated to lowering the cost and energy efficiency of hydrogen production.
Other research teams are expected to explore how hydrogen and associated by-products can be converted into alternative industrial feedstocks and fuels, the economic viability of hydrogen production and the policy measures required to help build a hydrogen economy.
“Fuel cells are already pretty good, so the problem now is hydrogen production,” explained Whitehead. “If hydrogen is to take off, we need more efficient and cost-effective ways of producing and distributing the gas and that is what this project will address.”
Source: Business Green
HERE COMES THE SUN Breakthrough Issue 4 Griffith Hack
November 2, 2009 by hopecellArticle from newsletter Breakthrough issue 4 Griffith Hack; Full article on link
http://www.griffithhack.com.au/news/nwu_viewArticle.asp?news=168
Never let it be said that hard work and persistence goes unrewarded. Robert Vancina is the latest example, having won a prestigious Energy Globe Award in recognition of developing a high efficiency clean energy source – a hydrogen-oxygen plasma electrolysis (HOPE) cell.
Robert’s work has come a long way since establishing a bench-top HOPE cell prototype in his garage. After being presented with the Energy Globe Award in April this year, Robert appeared with his HOPE cell on the ABC television programme, The New Inventors, on 6 May 2009. Since then, he has established a website and set up a company, Hope Cell Technologies Pty Ltd, to commercialise his invention. Robert recently completed pre-seed initial investment in a capital raising programme.
According to Energy Globe, the awards “recognise projects from all over the world that conserve our resources, such as energy and water, or that utilise renewable or emission-free forms of energy”.
Many of the projects submitted from 111 countries are funded by governments or aid organisations to make energy available for basic human needs in developing regions of the world. A smaller
number of projects compete for recognition of technical advances.
It is testament to Robert’s success that his self-funded project for a cleaner source of energy prevailed over other government and university-funded energy technology projects.
Griffith Hack assists Robert in protecting intellectual property associated with the HOPE cell technology and appreciates the opportunity to be involved with Robert and his technology.
Griffith Hack would like to congratulate Robert for winning a National Energy Globe Award.
Please visit www.griffithhack.com.au to read the full article on the HOPE cell Energy Globe Award.
For further information, contact: Hope Cell Technologies,
www.hopecell.com or info@hopecell.com
Nick Hunter, Senior Associate,
nick.hunter@griffithhack.com.au
NEW CLEAN TECHNOLOGY FOR 21ST CENTURY
July 7, 2009 by hopecell
We have developed an innovative technology of hydrogen energy source which is unique and has the potential to attract world-wide markets. It was awarded with the ENERGY GLOBE AWARD 2009 – World Award for Sustainability. The awarded invention involves a new technology of the highest energy efficiency and low to zero emission of hydrogen energetic sources.
A new perspective on Hydrogen technology is opening through highly energy efficient processes with a minimal negative impact on the environment. Some of the many exciting opportunities of the HOPE Cell include an application for adopting our system to other, alternative energy sources as an extension, e.g. converting surplus energy from solar, or wind power to on-demand, usable hydrogen under the highest energy efficiency available.
This technology can be adapted to many existing devices and utilities which consist of significant technical and capital input, therefore bridging the gap of technology in transition from the 20th to 21st century; from hydrocarbon fuels to hydrogen technological energy solutions, with excessive reductions in toxic emissions whilst ensuring a prosperous economy.
HOPE Cell Technologies is confident that, it is well positioned to be part of the solution to Climate Change whilst becoming an exciting and profitable venture in the process. The technology received a very positive reaction in scientific, economic and general public circles worldwide. Hope Cell Technologies’ in-house intellectual property will help to ensure its future path to success on the Global stage.
Our “Hydrogen Plasma Energy Cell” has been in development for several years now and is based on experimental research with thousands of testing hours and exploration of numerous possible applications. Using Hydrogen or its isotopes as the source of energy, and at the same time minimizing the impact on the environment is the ultimate goal.
Our experienced team is a mix of multitask professionals with senior levels of experience in R&D, Production and Management.
Our design is employing an improved technology of plasma discharge to produce anomalous quantities of hydrogen gas and heat induction in hydrogen medium. This process initiates additional thermo-ionic energy emission; it is magnified throughout the cell and results in the highest overall output (highest energy efficiency). The discovery of the principles for relocating; directing and magnifying of plasma discharge in the robust stainless-steel enclosure allows numerous practical applications in everyday life.
Hope Cell Technologies has undertaken to align or partner itself with, companies offering beneficial attributes to ensure the success of future business relationships. The Company will continue to identify, develop and establish valuable strategic alliances, business development initiatives and industry relationships. Based on a particular company’s overall objectives and goals Hope Cell Technologies will continue to implement suitable partnership and alliance development programs.
We intend to develop and introduce our most market-friendly industrial prototype through the first two years of R&D process. Due to the uniqueness of the technology, close cooperation and independent evaluations are planed via recognised Universities and Research institutions. The marketing process is planned to take place in parallel with prototype development and a strong presence at International trade shows and specialized events.
For more information please contact us on our web pages.
Hope Cell Technologies
Robert Vancina
Web www.hopecell.com
