A polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack for stationary power generation from hydrogen fuel
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
The fuel cell is the most efficient device for the conversion of hydrogen fuel to electric power. As such, the fuel cell represents a key element in efforts to demonstrate and implement hydrogen fuel utilization for electric power generation. The low temperature, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has recently been identified as an attractive option for stationary power generation, based on the relatively simple and benign materials employed, the zero-emission character of the device, and the expected high power density, high reliability and low cost. However, a PEMFC stack fueled by hydrogen with the combined properties of low cost, high performance and high reliability has not yet been demonstrated. Demonstration of such a stack will remove a significant barrier to implementation of this advanced technology for electric power generation from hydrogen. Work done in the past at LANL on the development of components and materials, particularly on advanced membrane/electrode assemblies (MEAs), has contributed significantly to the capability to demonstrate in the foreseeable future a PEMFC stack with the combined characteristics described above. A joint effort between LANL and an industrial stack manufacturer will result in the demonstration of such a fuel cell stack for stationary power generation. The stack could operate on hydrogen fuel derived from either natural gas or from renewable sources. The technical plan includes collaboration with a stack manufacturer (CRADA). It stresses the special requirements from a PEMFC in stationary power generation, particularly maximization of the energy conversion efficiency, extension of useful life to the 10 hours time scale and tolerance to impurities from the reforming of natural gas.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 183288
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/CP-430-20036-Vol.1; CONF-9504160-VOL.1; ON: DE95013153; TRN: 95:008710-0013
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 1995 DOE/NREL hydrogen program review, Coral Gables, FL (United States), 18-21 Apr 1995; Other Information: PBD: Sep 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the 1995 US DOE hydrogen program review, Volume 1; PB: 404 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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