Step 7:
Open the clamp. You can notice the liquid flows out of the tube through the fuel cell. Once you see the
liquid flows out of the tube, close the clamp.
Wait for 5-10 minutes, you will notice the fan starts to rotate.
Experiment 2: Exploring polarity
Step 1:
Connect the red cable to the red socket of fuel cell and the
fan module.
You will notice the fan will turn clockwise.
Step 2:
Now repeat the process, this time however connect the red
socket of the fan module into the fuel cell black one. You will notice
the fan will turn counter-clockwise.
Conclusion: The current flows from positive to negative, creating a
clockwise spin of the fan. By inverting the polarity connections, the
current flow reverses and makes the fan spin in the opposite
direction.
Experiment 3: Ethanol fuel consumption
When the fan begins to run slower or stops running
completely, this means the ethanol present in the fuel
cell chamber is mostly consumed. In normal
temperature conditions, the majority of the ethanol
inside the fuel cell chamber turns into acetic acid,
which is the main component of vinegar.
Let’s investigate the consumed fuel (acetic acid) when
the fan begins to run slowly.
Step 1:
Place a piece of PH paper under the outlet of
the outlet tube.
Step 2:
Open the clamp slowly , and release drops of
the solution onto the pH paper, and then close the
clamp. You can see the paper color changing to a
reddish color quickly.
Step 3:
Dip a new pH paper into the solution container. You will notice that the color of the PH paper
changes very little.
The difference in pH paper coloring indicates the change of the acidity level. Ethanol turns into acetic
acid during the reaction taking place at anode side of the fuel cell, and the pH of the solution noticeably
changes from pH level 6 to pH level 2 showing a red color. The chemical reactions taking place at the
anode showing that acetic acid is formed as hydrogen protons depart from the ethanol molecule and
the water molecule. These hydrogen protons cross the fuel cell membrane, and the liberated electrons
form the electricity that is able to propel the fan.
Conclusion: The Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell creates electricity by chemically converting the ethanol
solution into an acid solution, which is close to common vinegar. In order to obtain a continuous
functioning of the fan, “spent” fuel must be replaced with new fuel regularly.
Experiment 4: Exploring the effect of varying fuel concentrations
You can make the different concentrations of ethanol fuel in the initial mix. For a 15% solution, add 9 ml
of pure ethanol and fill water to the level of 60 ml. You can use a multi-meter or Horizon’s REM product
ref. FCJJ-24 to measure the voltage difference produced by the fuel cell. Through experimentation, you
will find that increasing or decreasing the concentration of the Ethanol does not noticeably make the fan
run faster.
The reason for this is that the capability of the catalyst used on proton exchange membrane in the fuel
cell is limited. Similarly to many people going through a narrow door, the speed of people going through
the door is determined by the width of the door, but not by the amount of people.
Warning: The safe experimentation range for the this Kit is within ethanol concentrations ranging from
5-15%. Please note that the concentration cannot be higher than 15-20% otherwise it will permanently
damage the fuel cell.
Tip: If the device will not be used for more than one day, first open the clamp to purge out all solution in
the fuel cell and pour purified or distilled water in the fuel tank. Make sure all of the purified or distilled
water flows out of the fuel tank. Do not let the solution stay in the fuel cell otherwise it will damage the
fuel cell.
Step 5:
Remove the fan blade from the box.
Push the blade onto the axis of the motor slowly
and carefully.
Step 6:
Use the wires to connect the fuel cell module
to the fan module. Make sure you respect the color
code when you plug wires into the sockets.
Notes: Once the fan stops rotating, open the clamp to purge
some solution out of the fuel cell and close the clamp. Wait for
5-10 minutes, the fan should start rotating by itself once
connected. If the fan does not run at this time, it may need to be
flicked with your finger to start.
Make sure you repeat the waiting period of 5-10 minutes after
each purging. Since the reaction is slow, the fan can run for up
to several hours without purging.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
After the first use of the fuel cell, you have to cut a 2 cm long
tube on the remaining tube and to connect this one to the
syringe. You will use it to clean the system after every use of the
product.
After each usage, you have to fill the syringe with purified water.
Then, remove the fuel inlet tube and replace it by the syringe
tube. Inject the water into the fuel chamber to flush out the
methanol solution out of the system. Disconnect the syringe and
fill it with some air. Make the connection again and inject the air
into the system in order to completely purge the remaining water
out. The fuel cell then could be stored until the next use.
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