Polymer electrolyte fuel cells: Potential transportation and stationary applications
The application of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) as a primary power source in electric vehicles has received increasing attention during the last few years. This increased attention is the result of a combination of significant technical advances in this fuel cell technology and the initiation of some projects for the demonstration of a complete, PEFC-based power system a bus or in a passenger car. Such demonstration projects reflect an increase in industry's faith in the potential of this technology for transportation applications, or, at least, in the need for a detailed evaluation of this potential. Nevertheless, large scale transportation applications of PEFCs require a continued concerted effort of research on catalysis, materials and components, combined with the engineering efforts addressing the complete power system. This is required to achieve a cost effective, highly performing PEFC stack and power system. A related set of technical and cost challenges arises in the context of potential applications of PEFCs for stationary power applications, although there are clearly some differences in their nature, particularly, to do with the different types of fuels to be employed for each of these applications. We describe in this contribution some recent results of work performed by the Core Research PEFC Program at Los Alamos National Laboratory, which has addressed materials, components and single cell testing of PEFCS. Also included are some recent observations and some insights regarding the potential of this fuel cell technology for stationary Power generation.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 6629248
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-93-1018; CONF-9304108--1; ON: DE93010734
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Polymer electrolyte fuel cells for transportation applications
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300502* -- Fuel Cells-- Performance & Testing
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33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330300 -- Advanced Propulsion Systems-- Electric-Powered Systems
CATALYSTS
CURRENT DENSITY
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
ELECTROCATALYSTS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ELEMENTS
FUEL CELL POWER PLANTS
FUEL CELLS
METALS
PLATINUM
PLATINUM METALS
POLYMERS
POWER PLANTS
SOLID ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELLS
TESTING
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VEHICLES