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Scientists Search for Answers to Fuel Cell Problems at SAE World Congress

27 January 2000

Scientists Search for Answers to Fuel Cell Problems at SAE World Congress, March 6-9

    WARRENDALE, Pa., Jan. 27 -- Automakers say they will have
fuel cell vehicles ready for production by 2003/2004, but they don't know yet
what fuel will start the engines.
    Scientists will debate the merits and shortcomings of various alternative
fuels during the SAE 2000 World Congress, March 6-9, Cobo Center, Detroit,
Michigan.
    Exxon researchers Paul J. Berlowitz and Charles P. Darnell will compare
hydrogen, methanol reformers and hydrocarbon (gasoline) reformers in a SAE
paper, "Fuel Choice for Fuel Cell Powered Vehicles."
    Berlowitz and Darnell say many factors must be considered before a fuel is
selected.  They stress that fuel choice must include safety and health
considerations, infrastructure costs, fuel cost on a tax neutral basis, and
public acceptance of the new technology.
    Electric vehicles are two to three times more efficient than internal
combustion gasoline engines and fuel cells are one of the most efficient ways
to produce electric power to run these vehicles.
    A fuel cell is a quiet and clean generator that chemically produces
electricity from hydrogen and oxygen.  With layers of cells, called a stack,
it produces a direct current like a battery, but unlike a battery, it never
discharges and only provides power when fuel is supplied.  Pure, drinkable
water is the only waste product of a fuel cell, making it a zero-emission
technology.
    Rising public and governmental concern with air quality and fuel economy
has prompted global automakers to move up the timetable for bringing
affordable electric vehicles to market.
    A daylong technical session, "Fuel Cell Power Transportation," will start
at 9 a.m., Monday, March 6 (Room D0-01 A&B).  Numerous other presentations and
exhibits on fuel cell technology will be offered during the four-day event.
    To attend SAE 2000, the world's largest showcase of automotive engineering
technologies, visit http://www.sae.org or call 1-877-SAE-CONG (723-2664); outside the
U.S. and Canada, 1-724-772-4027.  Experience the event via the "SAE 2000 World
Congress On-line," published by Automotive Engineering International, at
http://www.sae.org.