Microfluidic fuel cell systems

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard Ho ◽  
Erik Kjeang
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Electrochemical Reactions ◽  
Cell Systems ◽  
Liquid Systems ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Typical Cell ◽  
Microfluidic Fuel Cell ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Exchange Membrane

AbstractA microfluidic fuel cell is a microfabricated device that produces electrical power through electrochemical reactions involving a fuel and an oxidant. Microfluidic fuel cell systems exploit co-laminar flow on the microscale to separate the fuel and oxidant species, in contrast to conventional fuel cells employing an ion exchange membrane for this function. Since 2002 when the first microfluidic fuel cell was invented, many different fuels, oxidants, and architectures have been investigated conceptually and experimentally. In this mini-review article, recent advancements in the field of microfluidic fuel cell systems are documented, with particular emphasis on design, operation, and performance. The present microfluidic fuel cell systems are categorized by the fluidic phases of the fuel and oxidant streams, featuring gaseous/gaseous, liquid/gaseous, and liquid/liquid systems. The typical cell configurations and recent contributions in each category are analyzed. Key research challenges and opportunities are highlighted and recommendations for further work are provided.

scholarly journals Kilowatt-Scale Fuel Cell Systems Powered by Recycled Aluminum

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Godart ◽  
Jason Fischman ◽  
Douglas Hart
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Power System ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Hydrogen Gas ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel Cell ◽  
Cell Systems ◽  
Scrap Aluminum ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Abstract Presented here is a novel system that uses an aluminum-based fuel to continuously produce electrical power at the kilowatt scale via a hydrogen fuel cell. This fuel has an energy density of 23.3 kW h/L and can be produced from abundant scrap aluminum via a minimal surface treatment of gallium and indium. These additional metals, which in total comprise 2.5% of the fuel’s mass, permeate the grain boundary network of the aluminum to disrupt its oxide layer, thereby enabling the fuel to react exothermically with water to produce hydrogen gas and aluminum oxyhydroxide (AlOOH), an inert and valuable byproduct. To generate electrical power using this fuel, the aluminum–water reaction is controlled via water input to a reaction vessel in order to produce a constant flow of hydrogen, which is then consumed in a fuel cell to produce electricity. As validation of this power system architecture, we present the design and implementation of two proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems that successfully demonstrate this approach. The first is a 3 kW emergency power supply, and the second is a 10 kW power system integrated into a BMW i3 electric vehicle.

Stationary Electrical Power Generation From an Integrated Fuel Cell System With Thermal Energy Recovery

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony J. Dickman
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Electrical Power Generation ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Fuel Processor ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Abstract The objective of this paper is to present an overview of design, operating and performance considerations for stationary electrical power generation utilizing a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack integrated with a proprietary IdaTech hydrogen fuel processor. Additionally, electrical and combined (electrical plus thermal) efficiencies of integrated systems are presented.

Numerical investigations of assisted heating cold start strategies for proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems

Energy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 222 ◽  
pp. 119910
Author(s):  
Zirong Yang ◽  
Kui Jiao ◽  
Kangcheng Wu ◽  
Weilong Shi ◽  
Shangfeng Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Cold Start ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Cell Systems ◽  
Numerical Investigations ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Optimum Design and Performance Simulation of a Multi-device Integrated System Based on a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-33
Author(s):  
Xiuqin Zhang ◽  
Wentao Cheng ◽  
Qiubao Lin ◽  
Longquan Wu ◽  
Junyi Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Power Density ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Interior Space ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Abstract Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) based on syngas are a promising technology for electric vehicle applications. To increase the fuel conversion efficiency, the low-temperature waste heat from the PEMFC is absorbed by a refrigerator. The absorption refrigerator provides cool air for the interior space of the vehicle. Between finishing the steam reforming reaction and flowing into the fuel cell, the gases release heat continuously. A Brayton engine is introduced to absorb heat and provide a useful power output. A novel thermodynamic model of the integrated system of the PEMFC, refrigerator, and Brayton engine is established. Expressions for the power output and efficiency of the integrated system are derived. The effects of some key parameters are discussed in detail to attain optimum performance of the integrated system. The simulation results show that when the syngas consumption rate is 4.0 × 10−5 mol s−1cm−2, the integrated system operates in an optimum state, and the product of the efficiency and power density reaches a maximum. In this case, the efficiency and power density of the integrated system are 0.28 and 0.96 J s−1 cm−2, respectively, which are 46% higher than those of a PEMFC.

Partial Validation of a Proposed Rating Methodology for Residential Fuel Cell Systems

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark W. Davis ◽  
Michael W. Ellis ◽  
Brian P. Dougherty ◽  
A. Hunter Fanney
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Thermal Load ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Electrical Load ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Fuel Cell System ◽  
Cell Systems ◽  
Load Following

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), in conjunction with Virginia Tech, has developed a rating methodology for residential-scale stationary fuel cell systems. The methodology predicts the cumulative electrical production, thermal energy delivery, and fuel consumption on an annual basis. The annual performance is estimated by representing the entire year of climate and load data into representative winter, spring/fall, and summer days for six different U.S. climatic zones. It prescribes a minimal number of steady state and simulated use tests, which provide the necessary performance data for the calculation procedure that predicts the annual performance. The procedure accounts for the changes in performance resulting from changes in ambient temperature, electrical load, and, if the unit provides thermal as well as electrical power, thermal load. The rating methodology addresses four different types of fuel cell systems: grid-independent electrical load following, grid-connected constant power, grid-connected thermal load following, and grid-connected water heating. This paper will describe a partial validation of the rating methodology for a grid-connected thermal load following fuel cell system. The rating methodology was validated using measured data from tests that subjected the fuel cell system to domestic hot water and space heating thermal loads for each of the three representative days. The simplification of a full year’s load and climate data into three representative days was then validated by comparing the rating methodology predictions with the prediction of each hour over the full year in each of the six cities.

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