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    Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells: Authors

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    Michelle Brechu
    This document discusses polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). PEMFCs use a solid polymer electrolyte and platinum catalysts to produce electricity from hydrogen and oxygen. They have high efficiency and power density and can operate at low temperatures. The document outlines the structure and materials used in PEMFCs, including Nafion membranes and graphite bipolar plates. Applications discussed include stationary, transport, and portable power sources. Laboratory research focuses on improving catalysts, membranes, plates and other components to increase performance and reduce costs.

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    Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells: Authors

    Uploaded by

    Michelle Brechu
    145 views31 pages
    This document discusses polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). PEMFCs use a solid polymer electrolyte and platinum catalysts to produce electricity from hydrogen and oxygen. They have high efficiency and power density and can operate at low temperatures. The document outlines the structure and materials used in PEMFCs, including Nafion membranes and graphite bipolar plates. Applications discussed include stationary, transport, and portable power sources. Laboratory research focuses on improving catalysts, membranes, plates and other components to increase performance and reduce costs.

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    PEMFC

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    This document discusses polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). PEMFCs use a solid polymer electrolyte and platinum catalysts to produce electricity from hydrogen and oxygen. They have high efficiency and power density and can operate at low temperatures. The document outlines the structure and materials used in PEMFCs, including Nafion membranes and graphite bipolar plates. Applications discussed include stationary, transport, and portable power sources. Laboratory research focuses on improving catalysts, membranes, plates and other components to increase performance and reduce costs.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    145 views31 pages

    Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells: Authors

    Uploaded by

    Michelle Brechu
    This document discusses polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). PEMFCs use a solid polymer electrolyte and platinum catalysts to produce electricity from hydrogen and oxygen. They have high efficiency and power density and can operate at low temperatures. The document outlines the structure and materials used in PEMFCs, including Nafion membranes and graphite bipolar plates. Applications discussed include stationary, transport, and portable power sources. Laboratory research focuses on improving catalysts, membranes, plates and other components to increase performance and reduce costs.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 31

    POLYMER ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE FUEL CELLS

    Authors

    Points of Discussion
    1. Introduction 2. Working Principle

    3. Structure and Materials


    4. Applications & Developments 5. Laboratory Research

    6. Conclusions

    Introduction
    A fuel cell is a device that uses oxygen from the air and hydrogen fuel to produce electricity. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), are a type of fuel cell that consists on a solid polymer electrolyte sandwiched between a cathode and an anode.

    Introduction
    PEMFC features:

    High efficiency (40 to 60%) High power density that increases at fast rates (10kW/L). From few to hundreds of KW. Operates at low temperatures (50C-100C) less wear on the components better durability

    Working Principle
    Anode H2 reacts with the Pt catalyst forming protons and releasing electrons.
    H2 PEM

    Cathode
    The protons (H) combined with the electrons and the O2 form water.
    H2 + O2+ eH2 O O2 + 4H++4 e- 2H2O

    H + e2H2 4H+ + 4 e-

    2H2 + O2 2H2O

    Working Principle

    (1)

    Structure & Materials

    Electrodes and Catalyst

    The electrodes are mainly made from mesoporous graphite. The Catalyst is mainly made out of Platinum (0.2 mg/cm2) allowing the hydrogen to diffuse at room temperature.

    Membrane

    Is a thin, solid, organic compound that conducts the charged ions (H+) from the anode to the cathode, but doesnt conduct electrons.

    Mainly made of Nafion

    Membrane Requirements
    High proton conductivity

    Water transport balance

    Gas impermeability

    Electric insulator properties

    Thermic and chemical Stability

    Plates

    The bipolar plates are usually made of non porous graphite; composite materials or coated metallic plates, such as steel or aluminum.

    Structure of a PEMFC

    (2)

    Applications & Development

    Stationary

    Transport

    Portable

    Stationary Applications

    Back up power plants in Hospitals Emergency transmitters Power stations

    They represent 88% of all PEMFC in the world


    (3-4)

    Stationary Developments
    Company UPS Systems (UK) Japanese government Stationary -Off grid power units. US$/unit: 25000 Residential units. 2400 small stationary units subsidized by the government over a three years timeframe.

    HydroGenics (USA) (with Gore -Work with IdaTech in a DOE funded project to Fuel Cell Technologies MEAs) develop 50kW stationary PEM fuel cells -Supply hydrogen generators to two of Chinas largest energy companies. Plug power (USA)
    -Home

    Energy Station with HONDA -GenCore and GenSys technology, hydrogen generation system

    on-site

    Transport Applications
    A great advantage of vehicles powered by pure hydrogen is that they emit much less greenhouse gases to the environment. The main barrier in this application are the hydrogen storage and the currently life time which is approximately 7000 hours.

    Transport Applications
    Fork lift PEMFC toy car model

    They have fast start-up time, possibility to work in any orientation and favorable power/weight ratio
    (5-6)

    Transport Applications

    Honda FCX Clarity fuel economy of 60 miles/kgH2

    Ballard is the leading Company in PEMFC busses (78000h lifetime)

    They emit less green house gases but must offer more advantages in terms of durability, performance and cost if they want to compete with other vehicles engines.

    (10-11)

    Portable Applications

    Laptops, mobile phones & radios.

    (11-12)

    Portable Developments

    Company Voller (UK) Intelligent Energy (USA) Plug power (USA)

    Portable -Battery chargers and mobile power generators (construction, leisure and military markets) -ENV (emissions neutral vehicle) hydrogen powered fuel cell bike. -Telecommunications applications

    Laboratory research in PEMFC

    Gas Diffusion layer

    Membrane

    Catalyst

    Bipolar Plates

    PEMFC Membranes Laboratory Research

    Dow membranes out of use. Membrane laboratory research is aiming on alternatives to Nafion membranes, in order to improve fuel cell performance focusing on temperature limitations such as Flemion or Aciplex membranes.

    PEMFC Catalyst Laboratory Research


    The catalyst research is focusing on the following criteria:
    On Non Pt catalyst for example new alloys Pt/Ru or Pt/Pd. Cheaper substitutes and recyclability. Alternative methods of impregnation to reduce the amount of Pt such as microemulsion. Concerns about hazardous materials use and waste management.

    PEMFC Bipolar Plates Laboratory Research


    Alternatives to graphite: Metallic plates such as Fe-based, Au coated SS, LF11 Al alloys, TiN coated SS316L or Ni-50Cr present better corrosion properties.

    Disadvantages of electrical conductors : More electrical resistance; Less power density


    Composite materials Are lighter, cheaper and more easy to mechanize The downside is that they present more electrical resistance than other materials.

    PEMFC Bipolar Plates Laboratory Research

    Plate performances depending on the material used: graphite, Al alloy and Steel.

    PEMFC Gas Diffusion Layer Laboratory Research

    Its investigation is aimed on decreasing its water retention and improving electrical conductivity. This type of layers are usually made of Teflon.
    Polyvinildifluoride mixed with carbon black is cheaper and reduce mass transport losses enhancing the cell performance.

    Conclusions

    The main challenges that PEM is currently facing are the price of materials and the need of hydrogen infraestructure specifically on the transport sector.
    There is a clear tendency in the industry to invest on stationary (specially off-grid power) and portable applications PEFCMs technology.

    Conclusion
    The performance has increased over the years and depends directly on the materials being used in the PEFC being the best ones: Nafion (membrane); Graphite (BPP) and Porous Carbon with 0.2mg/cm2 , Pt (Electrodes).

    Refference

    (1) Fuel cell design, http://www.scientificomputing.com/images/scwjanfeb03fuelcell1.jp g&imgrefurl (2) Nano Patents and Innovations, http://nanopatentsandinnovations.blogspot.com/2010/01/synthesis -of-platinum-cobalt-alloy.html (3) Ballard Image gallery, http://www.ballard.com/About_Ballard/News_Events_Press_Room/I mage_Gallery/details.aspx?gID=124 (4) Glandersa eletrical systems, http://www.galander.com/eng/idatech.html

    Refference

    (5) Electronic District, http://electronic.districsides.com/polymerelectrolyte (6) Ballard Image gallery, http://www.ballard.com/About_Ballard/News_Events_Press_Room/I mage_Gallery/details.aspx?gID=124 (7) Ballard Image gallery, http://www.ballard.com/About_Ballard/News_Events_Press_Room/I mage_Gallery/details.aspx?gID=90 (8) Hydrogen Fuel Cell, http://www.gizmowatch.com/entry/horizonhydrogen-fuel-cell-fcjj-21-for-your-rc-electric-hobby-cars/

    Refference

    (9) Honda FCX Clarity 2010 3D Model, http://www.fallingpixel.com/honda-fcx-clarity-2010-3dmodel/12280

    (10) Hydrogen Fuel Cell, http://www.gizmowatch.com/entry/horizon-hydrogen-fuel-cell-fcjj21-for-your-rc-electric-hobby-cars/ (11-12) Minnesota pollution control agency, fuel cells, http://www.connectionpros.com/wpcontent/uploads/2010/08/ASUS-Eee-PC-1015PN-and-PEMLaptops.jpg

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