EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Fuel Cells and their Fuels - Clean Power for the 21st Century
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: Chemical Engineering
Abstract
The CDT proposal 'Fuel Cells and their Fuels - Clean Power for the 21st Century' is a focused and structured programme to train >52 students within 9 years in basic principles of the subject and guide them in conducting their PhD theses. This initiative answers the need for developing the human resources well before the demand for trained and experienced engineering and scientific staff begins to strongly increase towards the end of this decade. Market introduction of fuel cell products is expected from 2015 and the requirement for effort in developing robust and cost effective products will grow in parallel with market entry.
The consortium consists of the Universities of Birmingham (lead), Nottingham, Loughborough, Imperial College and University College of London. Ulster University is added as a partner in developing teaching modules. The six Centre directors and the 60+ supervisor group have an excellent background of scientific and teaching expertise and are well established in national and international projects and Fuel Cell, Hydrogen and other fuel processing research and development.
The Centre programme consists of seven compulsory taught modules worth 70 credit points, covering the four basic introduction modules to Fuel Cell and Hydrogen technologies and one on Safety issues, plus two business-oriented modules which were designed according to suggestions from industry partners. Further - optional - modules worth 50 credits cover the more specialised aspects of Fuel Cell and fuel processing technologies, but also include socio-economic topics and further modules on business skills that are invaluable in preparing students for their careers in industry. The programme covers the following topics out of which the individual students will select their area of specialisation:
- electrochemistry, modelling, catalysis;
- materials and components for low temperature fuel cells (PEFC, 80 and 120 -130 degC), and for high temperature fuel cells (SOFC) operating at 500 to 800 degC;
- design, components, optimisation and control for low and high temperature fuel cell systems; including direct use of hydrocarbons in fuel cells, fuel processing and handling of fuel impurities; integration of hydrogen systems including hybrid fuel-cell-battery and gas turbine systems; optimisation, control design and modelling; integration of renewable energies into energy systems using hydrogen as a stabilising vector;
- hydrogen production from fossil fuels and carbon-neutral feedstock, biological processes, and by photochemistry; hydrogen storage, and purification; development of low and high temperature electrolysers;
- analysis of degradation phenomena at various scales (nano-scale in functional layers up to systems level), including the development of accelerated testing procedures;
- socio-economic and cross-cutting issues: public health, public acceptance, economics, market introduction; system studies on the benefits of FCH technologies to national and international energy supply.
The training programme can build on the vast investments made by the participating universities in the past and facilitated by EPSRC, EU, industry and private funds. The laboratory infrastructure is up to date and fully enables the work of the student cohort.
Industry funding is used to complement the EPSRC funding and add studentships on top of the envisaged 52 placements.
The Centre will emphasise the importance of networking and exchange of information across the scientific and engineering field and thus interacts strongly with the EPSRC-SUPERGEN Hub in Fuel Cells and Hydrogen, thus integrating the other UK universities active in this research area, and also encourage exchanges with other European and international training initiatives. The modules will be accessible to professionals from the interacting industry in order to foster exchange of students with their peers in industry.
The consortium consists of the Universities of Birmingham (lead), Nottingham, Loughborough, Imperial College and University College of London. Ulster University is added as a partner in developing teaching modules. The six Centre directors and the 60+ supervisor group have an excellent background of scientific and teaching expertise and are well established in national and international projects and Fuel Cell, Hydrogen and other fuel processing research and development.
The Centre programme consists of seven compulsory taught modules worth 70 credit points, covering the four basic introduction modules to Fuel Cell and Hydrogen technologies and one on Safety issues, plus two business-oriented modules which were designed according to suggestions from industry partners. Further - optional - modules worth 50 credits cover the more specialised aspects of Fuel Cell and fuel processing technologies, but also include socio-economic topics and further modules on business skills that are invaluable in preparing students for their careers in industry. The programme covers the following topics out of which the individual students will select their area of specialisation:
- electrochemistry, modelling, catalysis;
- materials and components for low temperature fuel cells (PEFC, 80 and 120 -130 degC), and for high temperature fuel cells (SOFC) operating at 500 to 800 degC;
- design, components, optimisation and control for low and high temperature fuel cell systems; including direct use of hydrocarbons in fuel cells, fuel processing and handling of fuel impurities; integration of hydrogen systems including hybrid fuel-cell-battery and gas turbine systems; optimisation, control design and modelling; integration of renewable energies into energy systems using hydrogen as a stabilising vector;
- hydrogen production from fossil fuels and carbon-neutral feedstock, biological processes, and by photochemistry; hydrogen storage, and purification; development of low and high temperature electrolysers;
- analysis of degradation phenomena at various scales (nano-scale in functional layers up to systems level), including the development of accelerated testing procedures;
- socio-economic and cross-cutting issues: public health, public acceptance, economics, market introduction; system studies on the benefits of FCH technologies to national and international energy supply.
The training programme can build on the vast investments made by the participating universities in the past and facilitated by EPSRC, EU, industry and private funds. The laboratory infrastructure is up to date and fully enables the work of the student cohort.
Industry funding is used to complement the EPSRC funding and add studentships on top of the envisaged 52 placements.
The Centre will emphasise the importance of networking and exchange of information across the scientific and engineering field and thus interacts strongly with the EPSRC-SUPERGEN Hub in Fuel Cells and Hydrogen, thus integrating the other UK universities active in this research area, and also encourage exchanges with other European and international training initiatives. The modules will be accessible to professionals from the interacting industry in order to foster exchange of students with their peers in industry.
Planned Impact
The EU Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan) estimates the number of Engineers and Scientists in the Fuel Cells area in Europe to grow from 2 000 in the year 2012, to 17400 in 2020, and over 50 000 by 2030. To the benefit of the UK economy, the CDT in Fuel Cells and their Fuels targets this challenge by offering a structured training programme for doctoral researchers. The CDT will deliver significant cutting edge R&D results that will help move fuel cell and hydrogen (FCH) technologies further towards commercialisation. The CDT will deliver in the areas of
- basic sciences: electrochemistry and characterisation, modelling, catalysis;
- materials sciences: materials and components for low temperature (PEFC) and high temperature fuel cells (SOFC); analysis of fuel cell and electrolyser degradation phenomena at various scales (nano-scale in functional layers up to systems level), including the development of accelerated testing procedures;
- systems engineering: design, components, optimisation and control for fuel cell systems, including hybrid fuel-cell-battery and gas turbine systems; integration of renewable energies into energy systems using hydrogen as a stabilising vector;
- fuel processing: direct use of various hydrocarbon fuels in fuel cell systems (methane, propane, natural gas, biogas, bio-syn-gas from gasification processes, ethanol etc.), hydrocarbon fuel processing and handling of fuel impurities;
- hydrogen production: by electrolysis and from hydrocarbon fuels, from biological processes, and by photochemistry; hydrogen storage and purification; development of low and high temperature electrolysers;
- socio-economics: health issues, public acceptance, economics, market introduction, innovation management; system studies on the benefits of FCH technologies to national and international energy supply.
Industry collaboration will build on the successes of the current CDT in Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and their Applications led by UoB. Industry partners include companies Intelligent Energy, ITM Power, ACAL, EADS, Johnson Matthey, TATA Motors, RRFCS/LG, EON UK, MIBA/Teer Coatings, MIRA, CENEX, and others. The existing CDT has shown that these partners will primarily profit from the training programme in that they receive cutting edge research results and have direct access to the graduating students. All 6 students who have finalised their thesis by 2013 have received offers from named industry partners. Other industry will profit in the mid-term as graduation numbers increase from 2013 onwards and the students venture out into the wider workplace. The total of 50 industry ready students from the existing Centre plus the 77 envisaged by this bid will create an impact by supplying industry leadership and creating UK economic growth.
The academic partners represent a critical mass in student training in the field and are responsible for 15 and more annual PhD graduates in the UK. The reinforcement of a structured education for PhD students will have a major impact on the availability of Human Resources to companies and research centres developing fuel cell products. The delivery of Safety related modules adds a vital element to the training programme. Safety issues today are often not well understood and this element will help ensure that hydrogen technologies are safe in the future and become everyday commodities.
The CDT will link directly with the EPSRC SUPERGEN Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Hub. The Hub will support students from other universities to attend CDT modules. This interaction will intensify the exchange between UK researchers in the field. The interaction with other European training initiatives (Summer Schools, curriculum development) will allow the further development of high quality training materials and grant the Centre students access to placements and exchanges with foreign institutions and industry.
- basic sciences: electrochemistry and characterisation, modelling, catalysis;
- materials sciences: materials and components for low temperature (PEFC) and high temperature fuel cells (SOFC); analysis of fuel cell and electrolyser degradation phenomena at various scales (nano-scale in functional layers up to systems level), including the development of accelerated testing procedures;
- systems engineering: design, components, optimisation and control for fuel cell systems, including hybrid fuel-cell-battery and gas turbine systems; integration of renewable energies into energy systems using hydrogen as a stabilising vector;
- fuel processing: direct use of various hydrocarbon fuels in fuel cell systems (methane, propane, natural gas, biogas, bio-syn-gas from gasification processes, ethanol etc.), hydrocarbon fuel processing and handling of fuel impurities;
- hydrogen production: by electrolysis and from hydrocarbon fuels, from biological processes, and by photochemistry; hydrogen storage and purification; development of low and high temperature electrolysers;
- socio-economics: health issues, public acceptance, economics, market introduction, innovation management; system studies on the benefits of FCH technologies to national and international energy supply.
Industry collaboration will build on the successes of the current CDT in Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and their Applications led by UoB. Industry partners include companies Intelligent Energy, ITM Power, ACAL, EADS, Johnson Matthey, TATA Motors, RRFCS/LG, EON UK, MIBA/Teer Coatings, MIRA, CENEX, and others. The existing CDT has shown that these partners will primarily profit from the training programme in that they receive cutting edge research results and have direct access to the graduating students. All 6 students who have finalised their thesis by 2013 have received offers from named industry partners. Other industry will profit in the mid-term as graduation numbers increase from 2013 onwards and the students venture out into the wider workplace. The total of 50 industry ready students from the existing Centre plus the 77 envisaged by this bid will create an impact by supplying industry leadership and creating UK economic growth.
The academic partners represent a critical mass in student training in the field and are responsible for 15 and more annual PhD graduates in the UK. The reinforcement of a structured education for PhD students will have a major impact on the availability of Human Resources to companies and research centres developing fuel cell products. The delivery of Safety related modules adds a vital element to the training programme. Safety issues today are often not well understood and this element will help ensure that hydrogen technologies are safe in the future and become everyday commodities.
The CDT will link directly with the EPSRC SUPERGEN Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Hub. The Hub will support students from other universities to attend CDT modules. This interaction will intensify the exchange between UK researchers in the field. The interaction with other European training initiatives (Summer Schools, curriculum development) will allow the further development of high quality training materials and grant the Centre students access to placements and exchanges with foreign institutions and industry.
