Regenerative PEM Fuel Cell Systems for Low Earth Orbit Satellites

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier Savin ◽  
Dacong Weng ◽  
Tim Rehg
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Earth Orbit ◽  
Niche Markets ◽  
Space Applications

Abstract Thanks to recent considerable progress in proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology, fuel cells and electrolyzers are on the verge of widespread commercialization. When a fuel cell and an electrolyzer are combined, a regenerative fuel cell (RFC) system is formed. By using an auxiliary power supply, such as solar power, for recharging, an RFC provides a complete power system for niche markets such as low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellites. The thermodynamics of RFC systems are presented, and design tradeoffs are investigated: a unitized system, where the fuel cell and the electrolyzer are combined into a single electrochemical device, is compared to a discrete system, where the fuel cell and the electrolyzer are discrete components. The analyses show that the RFC is well suited for LEO space applications, due to an appropriate charge/discharge cycle, and represents a high-energy-density, high-efficiency power solution.

The development of a highly durable Fe-N-C electrocatalyst with favorable CNT structures for the oxygen reduction in PEMFCs

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Shuiyun Shen ◽  
Ziwen Ren ◽  
Silei Xiang ◽  
Shiqu Chen ◽  
Zehao Tan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Oxygen Reduction ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Metal Organic Framework ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Rotating Disk Electrode ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Pt Catalyst ◽  
Highly Active

Abstract Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is a crucial route for energy saving, emission reduction and the development of new energy vehicles because of its high power density, high energy density as well as the low operating temperature which corresponds to fast starting and power matching. However, the rare and expensive Pt resource greatly hinders the mass production of fuel cell, and the development of highly active and durable non-precious metal catalysts toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the cathode is considered to be the ultimate solution. In this article, a highly active and durable Fe-N-C catalyst was facilely derived from metal organic framework materials (MOFs), and a favorable structure of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were formed, which accounts for a desired good durability. The as-optimized catalyst has a half-wave potential of 0.84V for the ORR, which is comparable to that of commercial Pt/C. More attractively, it has good stabilities both in rotating disk electrode and single cell tests, which provides a large practical application potential in the replacement of Pt catalyst as the ORR electrocatalyst in fuel cells.

The Role of Fuel Cells for Consumer Electronic Products and Toys

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Banazwski ◽  
R. K. Shah
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Consumer Electronics ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Direct Methanol

Batteries have not kept pace with the advancing technology that they power, but they are used in everything from cell phones, laptop computers, and toys to consumer electronics. Compared to the devices that they power, batteries are relatively heavy, expensive per unit power they produce, last a relatively short time and recharging them takes hours. The solution to this less than desired means of a power source is fuel cells. Three fuel cells, also referred to as air breathers, considered are proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC), and direct formic acid fuel cells (DFAFC). We will discuss these fuel cells for micro and portable applications within the power range of 0.5 to 20 W for potential replacement of batteries. The reason for developing such fuel cells is to harness the power stored in the high energy density fuels, which provides more power and longer run times for the same packaging volume as batteries. The advantages of each type of fuel cell over batteries, their unique characteristics, technical drawbacks, current and future consumer products, and commercial issues will be outlined in this paper. A growing mobile society and consumer demands will drive the development of fuel cell technology forward as batteries reach their limit.

scholarly journals Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells with Platinum Group Metal (PGM)-Free Cathode

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Du ◽  
Gaixia Zhang ◽  
Shuhui Sun
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Platinum Group Metals ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Platinum Group ◽  
Exchange Membrane

AbstractProton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells have gained increasing interest from academia and industry, due to its remarkable advantages including high efficiency, high energy density, high power density, and fast refueling, also because of the urgent demand for clean and renewable energy. One of the biggest challenges for PEM fuel cell technology is the high cost, attributed to the use of precious platinum group metals (PGM), e.g., Pt, particularly at cathodes where sluggish oxygen reduction reaction takes place. Two primary ways have been paved to address this cost challenge: one named low-loading PGM-based catalysts and another one is non-precious metal-based or PGM-free catalysts. Particularly for the PGM-free catalysts, tremendous efforts have been made to improve the performance and durability—milestones have been achieved in the corresponding PEM fuel cells. Even though the current status is still far from meeting the expectations. More efforts are thus required to further research and develop the desired PGM-free catalysts for cathodes in PEM fuel cells. Herein, this paper discusses the most recent progress of PGM-free catalysts and their applications in the practical membrane electrolyte assembly and PEM fuel cells. The most promising directions for future research and development are pointed out in terms of enhancing the intrinsic activity, reducing the degradation, as well as the study at the level of fuel cell stacks.

scholarly journals Electrochemical Performance Improvement of the Catalyst of the Methanol Micro-Fuel Cell Using Carbon Nanotubes

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Kazemi Nasrabadi ◽  
Amir Ebrahimi-Moghadam ◽  
Mohammad Hosein Ahmadi ◽  
Ravinder Kumar ◽  
Narjes Nabipour
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Carbon Black ◽  
Oxidation Reaction ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Methanol Oxidation Reaction

Due to low working temperature, high energy density and low pollution, proton exchange fuel cells have been investigated under different operating conditions in different applications. Using platinum catalysts in methanol fuel cells leads to increasing the cost of this kind of fuel cell which is considered as a barrier to the commercialism of this technology. For this reason, a lot of efforts have been made to reduce the loading of the catalyst required on different supports. In this study, carbon black (CB) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) have been used as catalyst supports of the fuel cell as well as using the double-metal combination of platinum-ruthenium (PtRu) as anode electrode catalyst and platinum (Pt) as cathode electrode catalyst. The performance of these two types of electro-catalyst in the oxidation reaction of methanol has been compared based on electrochemical tests. Results showed that the carbon nanotubes increase the performance of the micro-fuel cell by 37% at maximum power density, compared to the carbon black. Based on thee-electrode tests of chronoamperometry and voltammetry, it was found that the oxidation onset potential of methanol for CNT has been around 20% less than CB, leading to the kinetic improvement of the oxidation reaction. The current density of methanol oxidation reaction increased up to 62% in CNT sample compared to CB supported one, therefore the active electrochemical surface area of the catalyst has been increased up to 90% by using CNT compared to CB which shows the significant rise of the electrocatalytic activity in CNT supported catalyst. Moreover, the resistance of the CNT supported sample to poisonous intermediate species has been found 3% more than CB supported one. According to the chronoamperometry test results, it was concluded that the performance and sustainability of the CNT electro-catalyst show remarkable improvement compared to CB electro-catalyst in the long term.

Analysis and Test of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Oxidant System

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arturo Vasquez ◽  
Donald E. Varanauski ◽  
Robert W. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Space Applications ◽  
Future Space ◽  
Water Separator ◽  
Component Models ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Abstract An effort is underway to develop a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell system for future space applications. A breadboard system has been constructed and includes the following: reactant pressure regulators, ejector-based reactant pumps, a 4-kW fuel cell stack, and a passive, membrane-based oxygen / water separator. A computer model is being developed concurrently to analytically predict fluid flow in the oxidant reactant system. Preliminary data obtained from tests performed with the breadboard system, as well as other published data, has been used to validate the analytical component models. These components have been incorporated into an integrated oxidant fluid system model. Results obtained from both the performance tests and the analytical model are presented.

Advances in the Research and Development of Fuel Cells in China

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chong-Fang Ma ◽  
Hang Guo ◽  
Fang Ye ◽  
Jian Yu
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Molten Carbonate ◽  
Direct Methanol ◽  
The Government

As a clean, high efficiency power generation technology, fuel cell is a promising choice of next generation power device. Widely application of fuel cells will make a contribution to save fuels and reduce atmospheric pollution. In recent years, fuel cells science, technology and engineering have attracted great interest in China. There are more and more Chinese scientists and engineers embark upon fuel cell projects. The government also encourages academic institutions and companies to enter into this area. Research and development of fuel cells are growing rapidly in China. There are many chances and challenges in fuel cells’ research and development. The state of the art of research and development of fuel cells in China was overviewed in this paper. The types of fuel cells addressed in this paper included alkaline fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells, proton exchange membrane fuel cells and direct methanol fuel cells.

scholarly journals Electrochemical Performance Improvement of the Catalyst of the Methanol Micro-Fuel Cell Using Carbon Nanotubes

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Habib Forootan Fard ◽  
Mohammad Kazemi nasrabadi ◽  
Amir Ebrahimi-Moghadam ◽  
Mohammad Hossein Ahmadi ◽  
Ely Salwana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Carbon Black ◽  
Oxidation Reaction ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Methanol Oxidation Reaction

Due to low working temperature, high energy density and low pollution, proton exchange fuel cells have been investigated under different operating conditions in different applications. Using platinum catalyst in methanol fuel cell leads to increasing the cost of this kind of fuel cells which is considered as a barrier to commercialism of this technology. For this reason, a lot of efforts have been made to reduce the loading of the catalyst required on different supports. In this study, carbon black (CB) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) have been used as catalyst supports of the fuel cell as well as using the double-metal combination of platinum-ruthenium (PtRu) as anode electrode catalyst and platinum (Pt) as cathode electrode catalyst. The performance of these two types of the electro-catalyst in oxidation reaction of methanol has been compared based on electrochemical tests. Results showed that the carbon nanotubes increase the performance of the micro-fuel cell by 37% at maximum power density, compared to the carbon black. Based on thee-electrode tests of chronoamperometry and voltammetry, it was found that oxidation onset potential of methanol for CNT has been around 20% less than CB, leading to the kinetic improvement of the oxidation reaction. In addition, the active electrochemical surface area of catalyst has been increased up to 90% by using CNT compared to CB which shows the significant rise of the electrocatalytic activity in CNT supported catalyst with 62% increase in current density of methanol oxidation reaction respect to CB supported one. Moreover, the resistance of CNT supported sample to poisonous intermediate species has been found 3% more than CB supported one. According to the chronoamperometry test results, it was concluded that the performance and sustainability of NCT electro-catalyst shows remarkable improvement compared to CB electro-catalyst in long term.

Use of Glass-Fabric/Epoxy End Plates in High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell to Reduce Startup Time

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji-Seok Kim ◽  
Jeong-Bin Park ◽  
Yun-Mi Kim ◽  
Nam-Il Kim ◽  
Hee-Young Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stainless Steel ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Glass Fiber ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Epoxy Composite ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Startup Time ◽  
Exchange Membrane

The end plates of fuel cell assemblies are used to support the inner stacks, reduce the contact pressure, and provide sealing between membrane-electrode assemblies. They therefore require sufficient mechanical strength to withstand the tightening pressure. The end plates must be stiff enough to resist large deformations, be light enough to ensure a high energy density, have stable electrochemical properties, and provide adequate electrical insulation. In the past, end plates were made from metals such as aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel alloys. However, due to large thermal losses and excessive weight, alternative materials are now being considered. This paper focuses on replacing the conventional stainless steel end plates of a high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell by those made of a glass-fiber/epoxy composite to decrease the startup time. To achieve this goal, following steps were performed. First, glass-fiber/epoxy composite specimens were fabricated to measure their mechanical properties. Then, a finite element analysis was performed using the measured material properties to confirm that the composite end plates could withstand the load conditions and to estimate the startup time. Finally, glass-fiber/epoxy composite end plates were fabricated, assembled, and tested to compare the startup time and generated voltage with the values obtained using stainless steel end plates.

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