An Overview Of Fuel Cell Technology

H2NET

September 2001

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The Main Types Of Fuel Cell.

Alkaline (AFC)
Solid Polymer (SPFC, PEM or PEFC)
Direct Methanol (DMFC)
Phosphoric Acid (PAFC)
Molten Carbonate (MCFC)
Solid Oxide (SOFC)
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September 2001

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Comparison Of Types
Type

Electrolyte

Approx
Operating Temp
(oC)

Efficiency

Use

Comments

AFC

KOH

80 - 120

40 - 50%

Military,
aerospace,
automotive

First use by
NASA.
Required pure
reactants

PEM

Solid Polymer

70 - 80

35 50%

Transport,
small/medium
stationary,
portable

Significant
investment, close
to market

DMFC

Solid Polymer

50 - 60

30 40%

Battery
replacement,
portable

PAFC

H3PO4

180 - 210

35 45%

Medium
stationary

In use. Doubts
over cost

MCFC

Molten Carbonate
Salt

650

50 60%

Large utility

Can use
unreformed fuel,
slow start up &
response

SOFC

Ceramic

800 - 1000

45 55%

Large utility,
small APU,
residential

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September 2001

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Electrochemical Reactions

H2NET

September 2001

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e-

Depleted oxidant
& products out

Depleted fuel
& products
out
SOFC
PAFC
& SPFC
MCFC

AFC

O2-

H2

T = 900oC

O2

H2O
H+

H2

T = 200oC (PAFC)

O2

T = 80oC (SPFC)

H2O
H2

CO32-

CO2
H2

OH-

O2

T = 650oC

CO2
O2

T = 80oC

H2O

Fuel in

Oxidant in

Anode

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Electrolyte
(ion conductor)

September 2001

Cathode

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Fuel Cell Polarisation Curve

1.4

Region
controlled
by activation
polarisation

1.2

Cell Potential (V)

Region controlled by ohmic polarisation

0.8

Region controlled by
concentration polarisation

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0

200

400

600

800

1000

Current Density (mA/cm )

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September 2001

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1200

Efficiency Comparison
90%
Carnot Cycle
80%

70%
SOFC+CCGT
60%

Combined Cycle GT & Steam

Efficiency

MCFC System
50%
PEMFC System
40%

PAFC System

Gas Turbine

30%

20%
Hydrogen

Natural Gas

10%

0%
0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

Temperature ( C)

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September 2001

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1800

Candidate Fuels
Type

Application

Hydrogen

Transport, Stationary & Portable

Methanol

Transport & Portable

Natural Gas

Stationary

Gasoline

Transport

Diesel

Military

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September 2001

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Potential Emissions Reductions (US) Gained

From The Use Of FCVs (US DoE Figures)

Million
MillionMetric
MetricTons
TonsReduction
Reduction
For CO2

Cumulative
fromthe
the
Cumulative Emissions
Emissions Reduction
Reduction from
useof
ofFCVs
FCVs for the
use
the period
period2010-2030
2010-2030
(Assumes 24%
24% penetration
penetration by
(Assumes
by 2030)
2030)
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

2335
2330
2325
2320
2315
2310
2305
2300
2295
2290
2285
2280

MeOH

H2MeOH MeOH

NMOG

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September 2001

H2
CO2
NOx

H2
MeOH

H2
CO

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The Solid Polymer Fuel Cell System

H2NET

September 2001

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Increases In Stack Power Density

1989 100 Watts/Litre

1996 1000 Watts/Litre
2000 1400 Watts/Litre
September 2001 GM announce 1750 Watts/Litre
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September 2001

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Building Blocks Of A Fuel Cell System

Control System

Fuel Delivery
Fuel Cell Stack

Power Conditioning

Air Delivery
Thermal Management

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September 2001

Water Management

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Elements Of A Hydrogen Fuelled System

Hydrogen Store

Fan or
Compressor

Power Conditioner

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September 2001

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Autothermal System Arrangement

Separator

Combuster

Cooling System.

Separator

Pre-processor
Autothermal Reactor

Fuel Cell Stacks

Air Humidity,
Temperature
& Pressure.

HTS
LTS
SELOX
Separator

Power
Conditioner

Water Reservoir

H2NET

September 2001

Fresh Water
Sea Water
Air
Cathode Offgas
Fuel
Reformate
Anode Offgas
Condensate
Exhaust
Electrical Output

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Fuel Storage Requirement

Medium Basic Car
380 Mile (612 km) Range

Gasoline
Autothermal
Fuel Consumption Rate (mpg)

Methanol Steam
Reforming

Hydrogen Gas 5000

psi

60.06

37.31

75.3

Fuel Consumption Rate (litre/100 km)

4.64

7.48

121.2

Fuel Volume (litres)

28.8

46.27

175.3

Fuel Mass (kg)

21.1

36.6

5.05

Fuel Tank Volume (litres)

30.30

48.71

260

Total Mass With Tank (kg)

26.00

44.39

75.4

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September 2001

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Vehicle Fuelling Issues

Fuel

System

Storage

Infrastructure

Hydrogen

Simplest option.
Lowest cost.
Good Efficiency

Volume problems for

gas.
Weight problems for
hydrides.

Localised
infrastructure in near
term.
Cost of mass
infrastructure.

Methanol

Easiest processing
option.

Reasonable.

No current
infrastructure.
Seen as transitional
fuel.

Gasoline

Difficult processing.
Emissions issues.
Lowest efficiency

Best option

No current
infrastructure
problems.
Security of supply.
Seen as transitional
fuel.

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September 2001

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September 2001

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H2NET

September 2001

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Necar 4 (Liquid Hydrogen)

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September 2001

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September 2001

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Efficiency of Prime Movers

Efficiency (%)

40
30
20
Constant Speed Diesel
Road Load Diesel

10

Fuel Cell System

0
0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Percentage Maximum Rated Load

H2NET

September 2001

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Re s e arch & Technology

Hydrogen FC-Vehicles
Progress

- Development

1994 NECAR I

1996 NECAR II

1997 NEBUS

1999 NECAR 4

H2NET

September 2001

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Re s e a rch & Technology

Necar 4

Efficiency in NEDC
37,7
37,7%
%

Target:
Target:40-45
40-45%
%

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September 2001

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Future Development Requirements

1

0,9

Cell Voltage

0,8
Cell Voltage (V) Today
Cell Voltage (V) Future

0,7

0,6

MEA Properties:
Max. Temperature:
Pt-loading:
Humidification:

0,5

Today
Future
80 C
90-110 C
< 1 mg/cm2
<0,15 mg/cm
Partially
NONE

0,4
0

0,1

0,2

0,3

0,4

0,5

0,6

0,7

0,8

0,9

Current Density (A/cm)

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September 2001

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