Fuel cells applications DMFCs development

Of any fuel cell application to date, this is the area with the largest number of fuel cell types being developed. In other words, molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), PAFC, proton-exchange membrane (PEM) and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) units are all being developed and tested for adoption in scales of > 10 kW. The only mainstream fuel cell that is not being developed for these applications is direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). 

In addition to these smaller applications, fuel cells can be used in portable generators, such as those used to provide electricity for portable equipment. Thousands of portable fuel cell systems have been developed and operated worldwide, ranging from 1 watt to 1.5 kilowatts in power. The two primary technologies for portable applications are polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) and direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) designs. 

Direct methanol fuel cell technology is relatively new compared to that of fuel cells powered by pure hydrogen, and research and development are roughly 34 years behind that of other fuel cell types. Nonetheless, the DMFC appears to be the most promising as a battery replacement for portable applications such cellular phones and laptop computers, and a number of manufacturers are already introducing commercial versions of these applications. 

Fuel cells. Topics include both SOFC and PEM type fuel cells. Also R D for DMFC has been investigated. Emphasis was given to solving problems related to fulfilling the market requirements of the Sulzer Hexis SOFC. The main goal is to increase both reliability, lifetime, and the power conversion rate, while reducing costs. Considerable efforts were also invested in the development and demonstration of the PEM. Outcomes of this work include a 60 kW stack for cars demonstrated successfully in 2002 in the VW Bora and recently in a much improved car. The 1 kW-unit "Power Pac" is a standalone unit its PEM-stack has been demonstrated in various applications like boats and small cars (SAM). 

One energy application of methanol in its early stages of development is the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). A fuel cell is essentially a battery in which the chemicals are continuously supplied from an external source. A common fuel cell consists of a polymer electrolyte sandwiched between a cathode and anode. The electrodes are porous carbon rods with platinum... 

This chapter presents the design and application of a two-stage combinatorial and high-throughput screening electrochemical workflow for the development of new fuel cell electrocatalysts. First, a brief description of combinatorial methodologies in electrocatalysis is presented. Then, the primary and secondary electrochemical workflows are described in detail. Finally, a case study on ternary methanol oxidation catalysts for DMFC anodes illustrates the application of the workflow to fuel cell research. 

In recent decades, research has intensified to develop commercially viable fuel cells as a cleaner, more efficient source of energy, due to the global shortage of fossil fuels. The challenge is to achieve a cell lifetime suitable for transportation and stationary applications. Among the possible fuel cell types, it is generally believed that PEM fuel cells hold the most promise for these uses [10, 11], In order to improve fuel cell performance and lifetime, a suitable technique is needed to examine PEM fuel cell operation. EIS has also proven to be a powerful technique for studying the fundamental components and processes in fuel cells [12], and is now widely applied to the study of PEM fuel cells as well as direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), solid oxide fuel cell (SOFCs), and molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs). 

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