ht- and lt-pem fuel cell stacks for portable applications · portable applications need simple and...

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HT- and LT-PEM Fuel Cell Stacks forPortable Applications

Thomas Jungmann, Timo Kurz, Ulf Groos

Group »Fuel Cell Systems«Fraunhofer Institute forSolar Energy Systems ISE

Hannover Trade Fair 2010April, 23rd, 2010

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Agenda

Fuel Cell Systems @ Fraunhofer ISE

Low-Temperature PEM Fuel Cell Stack

High-Temperature PEM Fuel Cell Stack

Outcomes

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We are dedicated to fuel cells since the early 1990s.

1998 2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2004

2006

1997

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We comprise a lot of competences.

1992 begin of activities on hydrogen and fuel cells

Ca. 2 Mio. € budget (2009)

7 engineers, 3 doctoral scientists, 4 doctoral students, ca. 15 students

To our equipment belong:

50 channel impedance spectroscopy

ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectroscopy)

ESEM with EDX (Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy)

Climate chamber

Several fuel cell test stands for micro and portable PEM fuel cells (NT-and HT-PEMFC) up to 5 kWel power

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PEM fuel cells are our profession.

Planar, air breathing micro fuel cells (PEMFC, DMFC, DEFC) from 100 mWelto 10 Wel

Portable fuel cells (NT- & HT-PEMFC) for operation with hydrogen and reformate from 10 Wel to 1 kWel

System technology for membrane fuel cells from 100 mWel to 5 kWel

2002 2004 2007

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Portable applications need simple and high efficientfuel cell systems.

fast startup

stable operation

dynamic load changes

independent onambient conditions

maximum efficiency –minimized fuelconsumption

lightweight systemAbove: passenger bicycle withfuel cell drive

Right: mobile robotic platformwith fuel cell power system

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Our Fraunhofer ISE high temperature PEM fuel cellmodule is optimized for portable applications.

compact module withhigh power density

power range 50 to 500 W

integrated heating unit

simple system handlingand control by one fan

stack fully enclosed and thermally insulated

lightweight polymericmaterials with 2.2 kg

240 x 120 x 100 mm³electric load

heating unit

air

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Stack design

shortstack: 5 cells with 31,4 cm² active area

pressing plates in PPS

flat gaskets

5 layer MEAsCeltec-P from BASF

open, air-cooledcathodes

Parallel hydrogen flowfield

Patents pending

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Stack design with simple assembling technology

compression by coil

polymeric pressure plates

hard stops in BPP

tension bar Bending stress Homogeneouscompression

Short stack

Patent of Fraunhofer ISE

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Heating of inlet air leads to start-up within 19 minutes(from start to nominal power).

100 W @ 12 V300 g LiP (28 Wh)

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Stack shows very homogeneous temperaturedistribution even during start-up.

outlet

inlet

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Stack has excellent single cell behavior.

0.5 A/cm² @ 0.6Vcell45 Wstack,nom

> 90 Wpeak

current density in A

aver

age

sin

gle

cell

volt

age

in V 160 °C

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Stack shows identical single cell behavior.

© Fraunhofer ISE

Stack shows identical single cell behavior.

© Fraunhofer ISE

Stack shows identical single cell behavior.

© Fraunhofer ISE

Stack shows identical single cell behavior.

© Fraunhofer ISE

Stack shows identical single cell behavior.

© Fraunhofer ISE

Stack shows identical single cell behavior.

© Fraunhofer ISE

Stack shows identical single cell behavior.

© Fraunhofer ISE

Stack shows identical single cell behavior.

© Fraunhofer ISE

Stack shows identical single cell behavior.

© Fraunhofer ISE

Stack shows identical single cell behavior.

© Fraunhofer ISE

Stack shows identical single cell behavior.

© Fraunhofer ISE

Stack shows identical single cell behavior.

© Fraunhofer ISE

Stack shows identical single cell behavior.

© Fraunhofer ISE

Stack shows identical single cell behavior.

© Fraunhofer ISE

Stack shows identical single cell behavior.

© Fraunhofer ISE

Stack shows identical single cell behavior.

© Fraunhofer ISE

Stack shows identical single cell behavior.

© Fraunhofer ISE

Reliable temperature control by only one fan.

Automatically fancontrol

Good characteristicsat load changes and setpoint changes

Variation< ±1°C

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LT-PEM fuel cell stack withoptimized assembling technology.

Power range from50 W to 500 W

Single cell cooling withexcellent in-planethermal conductivityand cooling elementson both sides

No screws for pressing

Integrated humidifiersfor air and hydrogen

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Stack with optimized assembling technology

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Excellence performance withidentical single cell behavior.

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Stack design has to take into account a simple systemconfiguration and cost-effective production.

Fraunhofer ISE develops LT- and HT-PEM fuel cell stacks and systems forportable applications.

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… and what can we do for you?