Fuel Cell Technology Development Status

Fuel cells are electrochemical systems that convert the energy of a fuel directly into electric power. The design of a fuel cell is based on the key components an anode, to which the fuel is supplied a cathode, to which the oxidant is supplied and an electrolyte, which permits the flow of ions (but no electrons and reactants) from anode to cathode. The net chemical reaction is exactly the same as if the fuel was burned, but by spatially separating the reactants, the fuel cell intercepts the stream of electrons that spontaneously flow from the reducer (fuel) to the oxidant (oxygen) and diverts it for use in an external circuit. 

The main difference between a fuel cell and a battery is that the fuel and oxidants are not integral parts of the fuel cell, but instead are supplied as needed to provide power to an external load, while the waste products are continuously removed. Where hydrogen is supplied as the fuel to the anode and oxygen to the cathode, this waste product is only water. 

A single cell produces a voltage of about 1 V. To obtain higher voltages the cells are connected in series to form a stack. Furthermore, heat rejected in the process can be used for different on-site thermal consumption, which makes the 

The overall advantages of fuel cells are the low environmental impact, which is one to two orders of magnitude lower than in conventional systems, good part load behavior, easy operation, and low maintenance since no rotating parts are needed. The main disadvantages at the moment are the very high costs and the lack of demonstrated reliability. 

Different fuel cell types exist. They operate at different temperatures and are generally distinguished by their electrolytes. The status of development differs widely for each type. Table 6.4 provides a comparison of the major types of fuel cells currently under development. 

---

Liu B. H., Z. P. Li, Current status and progress in direct borohydride fuel cell technology development, J. Power Sources, 187, 291 (2009). 

Hagey, G., Marinetti, D., Mueller, E.A., Status of fuel cell system development/Commercialisation and future systems energy, environmental, and economic benefits, pre-prints International Conference, Next Generation Technologies for Efficient Energy End Uses and Fuel Switching, Dortmund, 7-9. April 1992. 

W. Teagan, J. Bentley, "Status ADL/EPYX Fuel Processing Technology," joint DOE/EPREGRI Workshop on Fuel Cell Technology, San Francisco, CA, May 18-20, 1998. M. Krumpelt, K. M. Myles, No. 8, An EPREGRI Fuel Cell Workshop on Technology Research and Development, April 13-14, 1993, Stonehart Associates, Madison, Connecticut, 1993. 

This volume assesses the current status of PEMFC fuel cell technology, research and development directions, and the scientific and engineering challenges facing the fuel cell community. It demonstrates how the production of a commercially viable PEMFC requires a compromise of materials with adequate properties, design interaction, and manufacturability. 

An up-date of the status of EB curing of carbon fiber composites was presented by A. Berejka. Developments proven successful for aerospace applications are now being seriously scrutinized for automotive use. The diversity of proven uses of radiation grafting for uses in batteries, porous film and non-woven filters, and release coated films and papers was also presented. Opportunities for use of grafting in biomedical applications, composites technology, and fuel cell membrane development were also discussed. 

This chapter provides an overview of fuel cell technology. First it discusses the basic workings of fuel cells and basic fuel cell system components. Then, an overview of the main fuel cell types, their characteristics, and their development status is provided. Finally, this chapter reviews potential fuel cell applications. 

State-of-the-Art and Future Directions Table 2 summarizes the major SOFC developers, the relative country, technology, as well as the results achieved. As for the other fuel cell technologies, most of the developers are located in US, Europe and Japan. Table 2. Main manufacturers and technology status (US DOE 2004) ... 

Kato H (2007) Current status and future perspective of MEA development for PEFC, 3rd international hydrogen and fuel cell expo, FC EXPO 2007, FC-8, the most-developed element technology of polymer electrolyte fuel cells, Tokyo, pp 45-72... 

In this chapter, the current status and several major aspects of PEFC component modeling are described and discussed. Mathematical and computational modeling (both analytical and numerical) play important roles in the technology development and optimal operation of PEFCs from a fundamental understanding of underlying phenomena to engineering design and optimization that can lead to cost reductions and durability improvements. At present, the macroscopic descriptions of phenomena in the individual fuel-cell components have been formulated and... 

Systems analysis (in preparation) To assist the development of fuel cells through analysis work to enable a better interpretation of the current status, and the future potential, of the technology. This work will provide a competent and factual information base for technical and economic studies 2011-2014... 

Crawley, G (2006) AFC Technology, Status and Development , Fuel Cell Today, w w w. fuelcelltoday.com... 

Abstract This review is intended to provide the recent status in the development of polymeric-electrolyte (proton-exchange) membranes for the improvement of fuel cell performance based primarily on the preceding chapters of this book. Special attention is paid to the modification of present membranes, recent novel strategies for preparation of membranes, conceptual design of new membrane materials, and also promising approaches to overcome issues that severely restrict commercialization. The critical role of the materials and membranes and also relevant infrastructure of electrode is addressed. The new possibihties to improve technologies for implementation, and future trends are briefly examined. 

Barbir, F., T. Maloney, T. Molter, and F. Tombaugh, Fuel Cell Stack and System Development Matching Market to Technology Status, in Proc. 2002 Fuel Cell Seminar (Palm Springs, CA, November 18-21, 2002), pp. 948-951. 

---