Reformed methanol fuel cell

Development of 1 kW reformed methanol fuel cell, carried out by CIEMAT, CSIC and SEAT in Spain with the participation of KTH (Sweden) and UTAD (Portugal). 

Palmer, N. I., Liebeiman, B., Vertes, M. A. (1965). A comparison between external and internal reforming methanol fuel cell systems. Hydrocarbon fuel cell technology (pp. 135-154). 

Larger than the Ultracell devices, the relatively new Serenergy Serenus E-350 is a reformed methanol/fuel cell hybrid with an approximate mass of 11 kg. At nominal power levels, it is capable of producing approximately 350 W [106]. The device is fueled by a 60 0 methanol-deionized water mixture. It takes approximately 45 min to start up, at which point it consumes fuel at a rate of 0.45 L h ... 

Fig. 21.2 Commercial HTPEM reformed methanol fuel cell system (Serenergy H3-350) [25]...

Justesen KK, Andreasen SJ, Shaker HR et al (2013) Gas composition modeling in a reformed methanol fuel cell system using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems. Int J Hydrog Energy 38 10577-10584... 

Typically, micro fuel cells use methanol as fuel alfhough hydrogen-fed micro fuel cells have also been developed. The choice of the type of fuel cell to use in portable devices may be limited to low-temperature fuel cells such as PEMFC (proton exchange membrane fuel cell/polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell) and DMFC. However, micro reformed methanol fuel cells and miniature SOFCs have also been developed. 

The Pt/Ru catalyst is the material of choice for the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) (and hydrogen reformate) fuel cell anodes, and its catalytic function needs to be completely understood. In the hrst approximation, as is now widely acknowledged, methanol decomposes on Pt sites of the Pt/Ru surface, producing chemisorbed CO that is transferred via surface motions to the active Pt/Ru sites to become oxidized to CO2... 

Onboard reforming for fuel cells depends on catalytic reactions to convert conventional hydrocarbon fuels, such as gasoline or methanol, into hydrogen that fuel cells can then use to produce electricity to power vehicles. 

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) can run on methanol without a reformer. But, practical, affordable DMFCs for cars and trucks may still be years away. 

All fuel cells for use in vehicles are based on proton-exchange-membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) technology. The methanol fuel-processor fuel cell (FPFC) vehicle comprises an on-board fuel processor with downstream PEMFC. On-board methanol reforming was a development focus of industry for a number of years until around 2002. Direct-methanol fuel cells (DMFC) are no longer considered for the propulsion of commercial vehicles in the industry (see also Chapter 13). 

Fuel cells o fer important advantages as a power source, such as the potential for high efficiency, clean exhaust gases and quiet operation. In addition, the direct methanol fuel cell offers special benefits as a power source for transportation, such as potential high energy density, no need for a fuel reformer and a quick response. These advantages, however, have not been fully realized yet. One of the problems is the poor performance of the fiiel electrode. Even platimun, which seems the most active single element for methanol oxidation in add media, loses its electrocatalytic activity rapidly by the accumulation of adsorbed partially oxidized products. 

A particular version of the PEFC is the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). As the name implies, an aqueous solution of methanol is used as fuel instead of the hydrogen-rich gas, eliminating the need for reformers and shift reactors. The major challenge for the DMFC is the crossover of methanol from the anode compartment into the cathode compartment through the membrane that poisons the electrodes by CO. Consequently, the cell potentials and hence the system efficiencies are still low. Nevertheless, the DMFC offers the prospect of replacing batteries in consumer electronics and has attracted the interest of this industry. 

Most fuel cells are powered by hydrogen, which can be fed to the fuel cell system directly or can be generated within the fuel cell system by reforming hydrogen-rich fuels such as methanol, ethanol, and hydrocarbon fuels. Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), however, are powered by pure methanol. 

Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC)—Polymer membrane electrolyte no fuel reformer is needed, because the catalyst draws the H2 directly from the liquid methanol. This design can be used for cellular phones and laptops. 

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