Dec 5 - McClatchy-Tribune Business News Formerly Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News - Joe Habbyshaw The Buchtelite, Akron, Ohio

 

The University of Akron has received close to $1.3 million to research and develop new fuel cells.

The latest grant was received to develop a five kilowatt coal-based fuel cell. New technology using coal will lead the way for a reliable and affordable alternative source of energy. The new C-fuel cell, or carbon fuel cell, converts oxygen into carbon dioxide through an electrochemical reaction, which generates power.

"Coal is our county's most abundant fuel resource, reaching an estimated 475 billion short tons," Steven Chuang, a UA professor of chemical and bimolecular engineering said in a university press release.

This is enough coal, according to Chuang, to meet U.S. energy needs for the next 200 years.

"Coal accounts for more than 50 percent of utility power generation," he said.

The new C-fuel cells release 95 percent less pollutants, including nitric oxide, which comes from coal power plants.

"The low efficiency of coal-fired power generation, compounded by the growing energy consumption and concerns over air pollution and global warming, demands the development of a viable alternative," Chuang said. "This promising C-fuel cell technology offers a cost-effective, super-clean, multi-use electric generation alternative."

Traditional power plants, which use coal to make steam and turn a turbine, operate at about 33 percent efficiency. Using the new C-fuel cell system will generate an increase of up to 80 percent in efficiency.

The new fuel cells produce nearly pure CO2. Using C-fuel cells would eliminate the expensive process of removing CO2 from the flue gas released into the air.

George Newkome, vice president for research and dean of the graduate school, puts a lot of value in the project.

"Ohio has an immense stake in the successful development of C-fuel cell technology," he said. "Half of the coal used in the United States is from Ohio."