Fuel cells mobile applications

Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Mobile Application in Aviation... 

Fuel cells are a future energy system with a high potential for environmentally friendly energy conversion that can be used in stationary and mobile applications. Depending on the type of fuel cells, stationary applications include... 

While the PEM fuel cells appear to be suitable for mobile applications, SOFC technology appears more applicable for stationary applications. The high operating temperature gives it flexibility towards the type of fuel used, which enables, for example, the use of methane. The heat thus generated can be used to produce additional electricity. Consequently, the efficiency of the SOFC is -60 %, compared with 45 % for PEMFC under optimal conditions. 

The second example describes distributed, mobile and portable power-generation systems for proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells [106]. A main application is fuel processing units for fuel cell-powered automobiles it is hoped that such processing units may be achieved with a volume of less than 8 1. 

Muradov, N., Emission-free fuel reformers for mobile and portable fuel cell applications, J. Power Sourc., 118, 320, 2003. 

Lang M, Szabo P, Ilhan Z, Cinque S, Franco T, and Schiller G. Development of solid oxide fuel cells and short stacks for mobile applications. J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol. 2007 4 384-391. 

Schiller G, Henne R, Lang M, and Muller M. Development of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) for stationary and mobile applications by applying plasma deposition processes. Mat. Sci. Forum 2003 3 2539-2544. 

Farrauto el al.549 report that It is clear that an ideal catalyst for WGS needs to be developed, especially for mobile applications. Indeed, Cu-Zn still dictates the performance standard for fuel cell reformers, even though its pyrophoricity is prohibitive for its use. Higher activity is always desired, as well as the tolerance to flooding and sulfur. In that respect, a precious metal catalyst has obvious advantages but often cannot compete with the price of a base metal system. A three- to four-fold increase in activity would be needed to achieve that advantage. ... 

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) are being considered as a potential alternative energy conversion device for mobile power applications. Since the electrolyte of a PEM fuel cell can function at low temperatures (typically at 80 °C), PEMFCs are unique from the other commercially viable types of fuel cells. Moreover, the electrolyte membrane and other cell components can be manufactured very thin, allowing for high power production to be achieved within a small volume of space. Thus, the combination of small size and fast start-up makes PEMFCs an excellent candidate for use in mobile power applications, such as laptop computers, cell phones, and automobiles. 

As mentioned above, fuel cells may be used for mobile, stationary and portable applications. Table 13.4 shows the currents status of fuel cells for the three respective fields of application in terms of specific investment, lifetime and system efficiency as well as target values for the future. 

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. 

An analysis of the individual PEM components offers evidence of almost unbroken R D see Fig. 13.10 (Jochem et al., 2007). The overall importance of the membrane is striking. Furthermore, the numbers of annual applications for bipolar plates (BPP) and the gas-diffusion layer (GDL) decrease after 2002, while the increase in membrane applications flattens out. This correlates with the equally lower number of fuel cell patents in the field of mobile applications. 

The speed of the structural change will also be determined by the competition between internal combustion engines and fuel-cell propulsion systems. Measures to reduce fuel consumption and emissions may cause additional development and investments in the technical performance of combustion engines, reduce the advantages of fuel-cell applications, and slow down the diffusion of the mobile or even the stationary fuel cell. 

So the greatest challenges are in the mobile sector, but the pressure to act is much greater here as well, owing to oil scarcity, pollutants from vehicles, noise nuisance, etc. Compared with stationary applications, the alternative technologies in the mobile sector are also much poorer. This is why fuel-cell vehicles remain a possibility, despite the enormous sectoral changes that accompany this alternative. The question is when will they achieve market penetration One of the main obstacles that will have to be overcome is the attendant position of both the automobile industry and the infrastructure industry concerning the investment. Which one is prepared to... 

---