The
dinner meeting was well attended |
Richard Pitkin
gets a birthday wish
from the attendees.
A
TRIBUTE TO RICHARD PITKIN WEB SITE |
click
each image to enlarge |
Richard
Pitkin takes a deep breath in preparation to blowing out the
candle on his cake. |
Fred
Cunningham, representing the Fairfield County Section presents
a Certificate recognizing Richard Pitkin as the oldest active
member of ASME. He has been active in the section and nationally. |
Richard
Pitkin reads the certificate honoring him for his service
and contribution to ASME and the Section. Members of the Executive
Committee and others signed the certificate |
A message from the Diane Farrel, first select woman
of Westport was read, congratulating Richard Pitkin on his
birthday celebration. |
The message from the first selectwoman praised Richard
Pitkin for his many years of service to the town. Richard
cups his ear to hear the praises. |
Chairman
Rick Weber introduces Arthur J. Caisse Jr. Professor and
Coordinator of Electronic Engineering and Fuel Cell Technologies
at NVCC
|
Professor Caisse gave the attendees a "Brief
Overview of Fuel Cells Today" from its beginning with
findings by Sir William Grove in 1839 and fuel cell basics
today. |
The audience listens
intently as Professor Caisse provides an introduction to his
presentation on Fuel Cells. |
Professor Caisse relates
that Fuel cells started with Sir William Grove in 1839 when
he observed current flow in a circuit after he removed the
battery from an electrolysis circuit and replaced it with
an amp meter.
|
The diagram shows
the circuit that led to the observations by Sir William Grove
in 1839. On the left is the original electrolysis circuit
(platinum electrodes immerses in sulfuric acid) while on the
right, batteries remove, shows the circuit with a meter in
place that led to the observation of current flow. |
| Batteries a storage devices that
need replenishing after the energy is expended. |
The fuel cell differs in that it
will continue to produce energy as long as the hydrogen-rich
fuel and oxygen are supplied to it. |
Thus a fuel cell is an electrochemical
device that continuously converts chemical energy into electrical
energy along with some heat as long as the fuel supply is present. |
Presented was a chart showing the number of units
in the field comparing the data from 2002 with 2003. The bars
on the left show the systems functioning dominated by portable
units, whereas the bars on the right show installed capacity
dominated by large stationary units. |
Professor Caisse
describes the basic fuel cell construction and its operation.
The construction is an anode plate and cathode separated by
a membrane. The electron must take a path from the anode around
the membrane to reach the cathode. Of the five different types,
all operate in a similar fashion, The differences occur with
the fuel used and how it is processed. |
Fuel cell applications by Connecticut research and
manufacturing organizations, such as: PEM Mobile, UTC, Ballard
Power and others were highlighted during the presentation.
Applications include mobile units, automobile, boats including
submarines and space vehicles. |
LINKS FOR
A DEEPER LOOK INTO FUEL CELLS
FUEL
CELL TECHNOLOGY
OBTAINING
FUEL FROM WATER
FUEL CELLS
TODAY |
Professor Caisse
responds to questions from the audience. The challenge is
how to generate hydrogen at a low cost. The use of Nuclear
Power can help provide the needed hydrogen. |
Dr .Richard Weber
presents Professor Caisse with a certificate of appreciation
for his excellent presentation and great insight of Fuel Cells.
|
Professor Caisse thanks
Dr. Richard Weber for the certificate and the ASME carry-all.
|
Dr. Weber thanked
everyone for attending the meeting and indicated it was the
best turnout of the season. |
I am at a loss for words. But, I am
working on it! |
| |
