Camcorder, fuel cell-powered

FUEL CELL-POWERED CAMCORDER, NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS, AND MOBILE PHONES... 

Portable fuel-cell systems are systems that produce electricity for devices with a performance ranging from several watts to 10 kilowatts. The heat produced in the process is a by-product that is normally not used. The system has, therefore, to be cooled down by fans or cooling surfaces, etc. A wide range of applications is possible for fuel cells from small electronic devices like camcorders, mobile phones, laptops, etc. to electric tools, back-up systems, or power generation on boats or caravans. 

There is now a great interest in developing different kinds of fuel cells with several applications (in addition to the first and most developed application in space programs) depending on their nominal power stationary electric power plants (lOOkW-lOMW), power train sources (20-200kW) for the electrical vehicle (bus, truck and individual car), electricity and heat co-generation for buildings and houses (5-20 kW), auxiliary power units (1-100 kW) for different uses (automobiles, aircraft, space launchers, space stations, uninterruptible power supply, remote power, etc.) and portable electronic devices (1-100 W), for example, cell phones, computers, camcorders [2, 3]. 

The costs which are accepted by the market for different applications are indicated in Fig. 8.17. The market introduction of fuel cells will be determined strongly by these costs requirements as fuel cells, similar to all new technologies, are cost intensive. Considering just these costs requirements, a market penetration of fuel cells as electrical power supply for consumer electronics (so-called 4-C area cellular phones, camcorders, computers, cordless tools) would be easiest. However, technological challenges still hamper fuel cells today in replacing batteries in these applications. 

A prototype of a CamCorder equipped with a PEM fuel cell system made of a stack of 15 bipolar plates, as shown in Figure 8-15, was developed to deliver 9 W output power at 8 V. The stack described above was integrated into a housing which also includes the metal hydride reversible hydrogen storage, pressure control, fans, and electronics. This system replaces the Li-ion battery pack normally used as an energy source in the camera. 

While consumer applications such as cell phones, notebook computers, camcorders, and cordless tools will be the obvious mass market application for direct methanol fuel cells at a power level up to 100 W, there should be an earlier market for PEM fuel cells in a niche sub-1 kW market. The t)rpe of device that fits this class includes weather stations, signal units, APUs, gas sensors, and security cameras. Companies involved in this area include Plug Power www.plugpower.com and Ballard Power Systems www.ballard.com." ... 

For small power applications such as laptops, camcorders, and mobile phones, the requirements of the fuel cell systems are even more specific than for vehicle apphcations. Low temperatures are necessary and, therefore, PEM fuel eells are chosen. Possibilities for fuel cell systems are the eombination of PEM with hydrogen storage by hydrides or gas eartridges or the direet methanol fuel cell. Such type of fuel cell will be employed in portable phones and ean be adjusted for other portable applications. The requirements for portable applications are mostly focused on size and weight of the system (as well as on the temperature). Other fuel cells are, therefore, not suitable for this kind of applications. Portable devices need lower power than other fuel cell applieations and, thus, DMFC systems may be well suited for this kind of applications. With further technological improvements and better storage systems, PEM fuel cells and DMFC systems will continue to eompete in this market [74,75]. 

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