scholarly journals Review of Latest Developments in PEM Fuel Cell Research with Application to Hydrogen Powered Drones

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 7-11
Author(s):  
B. Day ◽  
A. Pourmovahed ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Cell Systems ◽  
Cell Technology ◽  
Current State

Fuel cells are becoming an increasingly more enticing option to power drones for extended use applications. This is because under certain conditions, fuel cell systems are able to more efficiently store fuel and, therefore, energy compared to standard battery options. This reality has been proven through multiple research efforts and is reviewed in this paper. It is necessary to review the current state of PEM fuel cell technology for drone applications to determine the extent of its limitations and feasibility. For this reason, the latest developments in low temperature and high temperature PEM fuel cells were studied including their limitations and sensitivity to contamination with a focus on drone applications. It has been reported that hydrogen powered fuel cell systems are more efficient than conventional battery applications when the energy content is higher than 4 MJ. A hybrid fuel cell and battery powertrain is preferred for the purpose of counterbalancing the deficiencies of both individual cases. Currently available products were explored, and it was found that there are fuel cell systems available that are capable of powering drones in excess of 23 kg (50 lb).

scholarly journals Review of Latest Developments in PEM Fuel Cell Research with Application to Hydrogen Powered Drones

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 7-11
Author(s):  
B. Day ◽  
A. Pourmovahed ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Cell Systems ◽  
Cell Technology ◽  
Current State

Fuel cells are becoming an increasingly more enticing option to power drones for extended use applications. This is because under certain conditions, fuel cell systems are able to more efficiently store fuel and, therefore, energy compared to standard battery options. This reality has been proven through multiple research efforts and is reviewed in this paper. It is necessary to review the current state of PEM fuel cell technology for drone applications to determine the extent of its limitations and feasibility. For this reason, the latest developments in low temperature and high temperature PEM fuel cells were studied including their limitations and sensitivity to contamination with a focus on drone applications. It has been reported that hydrogen powered fuel cell systems are more efficient than conventional battery applications when the energy content is higher than 4 MJ. A hybrid fuel cell and battery powertrain is preferred for the purpose of counterbalancing the deficiencies of both individual cases. Currently available products were explored, and it was found that there are fuel cell systems available that are capable of powering drones in excess of 23 kg (50 lb).

Artificial Neural Network Modeling of PEM Fuel Cells

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 226-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaoduan Ou ◽  
Luke E. K. Achenie
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Artificial Neural Network ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Back Propagation ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Optimal Operating ◽  
Cell Systems ◽  
Artificial Neural

Artificial neural network (ANN) approaches for modeling of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells have been investigated in this study. This type of data-driven approach is capable of inferring functional relationships among process variables (i.e., cell voltage, current density, feed concentration, airflow rate, etc.) in fuel cell systems. In our simulations, ANN models have shown to be accurate for modeling of fuel cell systems. Specifically, different approaches for ANN, including back-propagation feed-forward networks, and radial basis function networks, were considered. The back-propagation approach with the momentum term gave the best results. A study on the effect of Pt loading on the performance of a PEM fuel cell was conducted, and the simulated results show good agreement with the experimental data. Using the ANN model, an optimization model for determining optimal operating points of a PEM fuel cell has been developed. Results show the ability of the optimizer to capture the optimal operating point. The overall goal is to improve fuel cell system performance through numerical simulations and minimize the trial and error associated with laboratory experiments.

scholarly journals High temperature PEM fuel cell steady-state transport modeling

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viorel Ionescu
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Water Concentration ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Electrochemical Kinetics

AbstractA fuel cell is a device that can directly transfer chemical energy to electric and thermal energy. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are highly efficient power generators, achieving up to 50-60% conversion efficiency, even at sizes of a few kilowatts. There are several compelling technological and commercial reasons for operating H2/air PEM fuel cells at temperatures above 100 °C; rates of electrochemical kinetics are enhanced, water management and cooling is simplified, useful waste heat can be recovered, and lower quality reformed hydrogen may be used as the fuel. All of the High Temperature PEMFC model equations are solved with finite element method using commercial software package COMSOL Multiphysics. The results from PEM fuel cell modeling were presented in terms of reactant (oxygen and hydrogen) concentrations and water concentration in the anode and cathode gases; the polarization curve of the cell was also displayed.

Impact of Increased Anode CO Tolerance on Performance of Hydrocarbon-Fueled PEM Fuel Cell Systems

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny E. Hu ◽  
Joshua B. Pearlman ◽  
Atul Bhargav ◽  
Gregory S. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
System Level ◽  
Cell Systems ◽  
Co Tolerance ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Anode Electrocatalysts ◽  
The Impact

Recent advances in anode electrocatalysts for low-temperature PEM fuel cells are increasing tolerance for CO in the H2-rich anode stream. This study explores the impact of current day and future advances in CO-tolerant electrocatalysts on the system efficiency of low-temperature Nafion-based PEM fuel cell systems operating in conjunction with a hydrocarbon autothermal reformer and a preferential CO oxidation (PROx) reactor for CO clean-up. This study explores the effects of incomplete H2 cleanup by preferential oxidation reactors for partial CO removal, in combination with reformate-tolerant stacks. Empirical fuel cell performance models were based upon voltage-current characteristic from single-cell MEA tests at varying CO concentrations with new alloy reformate-tolerant electrocatalysts tested in conjunction with this study. A system-level model for a 5 kW maximum liquid-fueled system has been used to study the trade-offs between the improved performance with decreased CO concentration and the increased penalties from the air supply to the PROx reactor and associated reduction in H2 partial pressures to the anode. As CO tolerance is increased over current state-of-the-art Pt alloy catalysts system efficiencies improve due to higher fuel cell voltages. Furthermore, increasing CO tolerance of anode electrocatalysts allows for increased reformer efficiency by reducing PROx CO conversion requirements.

Modeling and Performance Simulation of a Reformer and Fuel Cell System for Electricity Generation From Digester Gas Using PEM Fuel Cells

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Roa Prada ◽  
Oscar Eduardo Rueda Sanchez
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Cell Systems ◽  
Power Recovery

Wastewater treatment plants help removing organic matter from wastewater, and at the same time, generate digester gas as a useful byproduct. Digester gas is rich in methane, which can be used to generate electricity. Fuel cell systems are the cleanest technology for power recovery from digester gas, since all other technologies generate electricity by burning all the digester gas. The most commonly used type of fuel cell for power generation from digester gas in wastewater treatment plants is the molten carbonate fuel cell. This type of fuel cell can tolerate the impurities usually found in digester gas, such as CO2 and H2S; however, this kind of fuel cell systems is more suitable for large wastewater treatment plants. This prevents the use of fuel cells for power generation from digester gas in wastewater treatment plants serving medium and small size cities, or even farms. This research attempts to explore solutions to make fuel cell technologies technically and economically feasible for medium and small size wastewater treatment plants. The most suitable type of fuel cells for small applications is the Proton Exchange Membrane, PEM, fuel cell. The main challenge in using PEM fuel cells for power recovery from digester gas is that they are highly sensitive to impurities in its hydrogen gas supply. Therefore, in order to use PEM fuel cells in this application, energy must be spent in cleaning the digester gas before it enters the PEM fuel cell and reformer system. Energy is also required in the form of heat by the reformer system to produce the hydrogen needed by the fuel cell. Both the energy used in the cleaning of the digester gas and the hydrogen generation process comes from burning part of the digester gas. This reduces the amount of digester gas available for hydrogen production and electricity generation, respectively. The approach followed in this investigation seeks to develop a Simulink® model of the reformer and fuel cell so that the modeling tools of Matlab® can be used to simulate the performance of the system under different operating conditions. A sensitivity analysis is carried out to identify critical operating parameters affecting the performance of the overall system. The results obtained in this work provide guidelines for future studies of performance optimization and optimal control using the tools available in Matlab®, in order to get maximum electricity generation from digester gas using PEM fuel cell systems.

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Technology for Fuel Cells

MRS Bulletin ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 587-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raj G. Rajendran
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Perfluorosulfonic Acid ◽  
Cell Systems ◽  
Cell Technology ◽  
Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Perfluorosulfonic Acid Membranes

AbstractThe concept of using an ion-exchange membrane as an electrolyte separator for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells was first reported by General Electric in 1955. However, a real breakthrough in PEM fuel cell technology occurred in the mid-1960s after DuPont introduced Nafion®, a perfluorosulfonic acid membrane. Due to their inherent chemical, thermal, and oxidative stability, perfluorosulfonic acid membranes displaced unstable polystyrene sulfonic acid membranes.Today, Nafion® and other related perfluorosulfonic acid membranes are considered to be the state of the art for PEM fuel cell technology. Although perfluorosulfonic acid membrane structures are preferred today, structural improvements are still needed to accommodate the increasing demands of fuel cell systems for specific applications. Higher performance, lower cost, greater durability, better water management, the ability to perform at higher temperatures, and flexibility in operating with a wide range of fuels are some of the challenges that need to be overcome before widespread commercial adoption of the technology can be realized. The present article will highlight the membrane properties relevant to PEM fuel cell systems, the development history of perfluorosulfonic acid membranes, and the current status of R&D activities in PEM technology.

scholarly journals Recent Progress in the Development of Composite Membranes Based on Polybenzimidazole for High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell Applications

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Escorihuela ◽  
Jessica Olvera-Mancilla ◽  
Larissa Alexandrova ◽  
L. Felipe del Castillo ◽  
Vicente Compañ
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Composite Membranes ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Exchange Membrane

The rapid increasing of the population in combination with the emergence of new energy-consuming technologies has risen worldwide total energy consumption towards unprecedent values. Furthermore, fossil fuel reserves are running out very quickly and the polluting greenhouse gases emitted during their utilization need to be reduced. In this scenario, a few alternative energy sources have been proposed and, among these, proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are promising. Recently, polybenzimidazole-based polymers, featuring high chemical and thermal stability, in combination with fillers that can regulate the proton mobility, have attracted tremendous attention for their roles as PEMs in fuel cells. Recent advances in composite membranes based on polybenzimidazole (PBI) for high temperature PEM fuel cell applications are summarized and highlighted in this review. In addition, the challenges, future trends, and prospects of composite membranes based on PBI for solid electrolytes are also discussed.

Development of a Flexible Pilot High Temperature MEA Manufacturing Line

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond H. Puffer ◽  
Glen H. Hoppes
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Membrane Electrode ◽  
Membrane Material ◽  
Cell Systems ◽  
Manufacturing Line

Despite the fact that the invention of the fuel cell is more than 160 years old, the fuel cell industry today is still in its infancy. While there are many large companies active in the industry, it is, for the most part, dominated by many small and startup companies focused on the design and development of fuel cell systems. Relatively little attention has been given to the cost effective high-volume (i.e., automated) manufacture of the resulting systems and components. If the wide spread commercial use of fuel cells is to become a reality, and we are to realize the potential benefits to our environment and mankind it is essential that we also put the appropriate level of attention on the enabling manufacturing technologies. Celanese Ventures GmbH is a “new venture” arm of Celanese AG, located in Frankfurt, Germany. They are focused on developing the market for their high temperature polybenzimidazole (PBI®)-based membrane material for use in Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Several years ago Celanese realized that the best way to ensure the market for their membrane material is to develop the capability to produce complete membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) that can be incorporated into fuel cell systems being developed by other companies. Furthermore, such value-added processing can be economically advantageous. This paper will describe the multi-phased collaboration between Celanese, the Flexible Manufacturing Center (FMC) located at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), and Progressive Machine and Design (PMD) to develop a fully automated high temperature MEA pilot manufacturing line that began operation in September, 2002. The FMC has and continues to serve in a unique role for a university research center. The FMC has been involved in the concept development, laboratory proof of principle, acquisition management, technical representation during the design, build and implementation phases, and the ongoing optimization of and improvements to the operational pilot line. We will describe the unique properties of the high temperature PBI® membrane and the benefits of this form of membrane in PEM fuel cell operations. The specific role of the FMC during each phase of the project will be highlighted, and a description of the resulting pilot line will be provided. Finally, we will discuss the important role that effective technology transfer plays in a project with the magnitude and complexity described herein.

Assessment of the Potential of Combined Micro Gas Turbine and High Temperature Fuel Cell Systems

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dieter Bohn ◽  
Nathalie Po¨ppe ◽  
Joachim Lepers
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Advanced Materials ◽  
Cell Systems ◽  
Micro Gas Turbine ◽  
Technological Assessment

The present paper reports a detailed technological assessment of two concepts of integrated micro gas turbine and high temperature (SOFC) fuel cell systems. The first concept is the coupling of micro gas turbines and fuel cells with heat exchangers, maximising availability of each component by the option for easy stand-alone operation. The second concept considers a direct coupling of both components and a pressurised operation of the fuel cell, yielding additional efficiency augmentation. Based on state-of-the-art technology of micro gas turbines and solid oxide fuel cells, the paper analyses effects of advanced cycle parameters based on future material improvements on the performance of 300–400 kW combined micro gas turbine and fuel cell power plants. Results show a major potential for future increase of net efficiencies of such power plants utilising advanced materials yet to be developed. For small sized plants under consideration, potential net efficiencies around 70% were determined. This implies possible power-to-heat-ratios around 9.1 being a basis for efficient utilisation of this technology in decentralised CHP applications.

The Thermodynamic Evaluation and Optimization of Fuel Cell Systems

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Woudstra ◽  
T. P. van der Stelt ◽  
K. Hemmes
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
System Optimization ◽  
Fuel Conversion ◽  
Cell Systems ◽  
Electrochemical Conversion ◽  
Conversion Efficiencies

Energy conversion today is subject to high thermodynamic losses. About 50% to 90% of the exergy of primary fuels is lost during conversion into power or heat. The fast increasing world energy demand makes a further increase of conversion efficiencies inevitable. The substantial thermodynamic losses (exergy losses of 20% to 30%) of thermal fuel conversion will limit future improvements of power plant efficiencies. Electrochemical conversion of fuel enables fuel conversion with minimum losses. Various fuel cell systems have been investigated at the Delft University of Technology during the past 20 years. It appeared that exergy analyses can be very helpful in understanding the extent and causes of thermodynamic losses in fuel cell systems. More than 50% of the losses in high temperature fuel cell (molten carbonate fuel cell and solid oxide fuel cell) systems can be caused by heat transfer. Therefore system optimization must focus on reducing the need for heat transfer as well as improving the conditions for the unavoidable heat transfer. Various options for reducing the need for heat transfer are discussed in this paper. High temperature fuel cells, eventually integrated into gas turbine processes, can replace the combustion process in future power plants. High temperature fuel cells will be necessary to obtain conversion efficiencies up to 80% in the case of large scale electricity production in the future. The introduction of fuel cells is considered to be a first step in the integration of electrochemical conversion in future energy conversion systems.

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