nature of hydrogen demand for fuel cells

8/13/2019 Nature of Hydrogen Demand for Fuel Cells

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Nature Of Hydrogen Demand forFuel Cells

And NMRLs Experience on Onsite

Hydrogen Generation

S Roy Choudh ury, J. Rangarajan

Naval Materials Research Labo ratory , Ambernath -421506


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Hydrogen Provision Distributed hydrogen retail outlets for

mobile / stationary applications

Compressed H2transport by pipelines likeCNG network

Onsite H2generation from other feed stocks Coal

Hydrocarbons

Alcohols

Ammonia


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Hydrogen Provision

Online/onboard hydrogen generation

for mobile systems

Reforming /cracking of hydrocarbon feed

stocks

Reforming/cracking of alcohols

Other inorganic/organic feed stocks

Ammonia crackingHydride hydrolysis/cracking


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H2quality

Impurity tolerance increases with increase

in operating temperature of fuel cells


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Low temperature acid FCs

Phosphoric acid fuel cell

Operates at 130-

2000C CO tolerance < 2%

S and Cl in ppm level

Polymer electrolyte fuel

cells

Operates at 60-800C CO tolerance in ppm

level

S & Cl in ppm level

Limits the primary source of fuel


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Low temperature alkaline FCs

Operates around 120-1700C

High CO tolerance

CO2tolerance in ppm level Cl and S in ppm level

Difficult for terrestrial application


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High temperature FCs

Solid Oxide FCs

Can take CO as

fuel

S & Cl in ppm

level

Molten Carbonate FCs

Can take high CO

S & Cl in ppm level


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The Key issues

The Fuel Quality

Fuel cells are advanced powergeneration devices

requires quality feedstock, free fromsulfur

The oil refineries have to provideuniform low sulfur fuels.


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The Key issues

The conversion Devices

High cost for CO removalPEMFC

Low reformer costPAFC, SOFC,MCFC

Compact thermal systems to realizemini converters


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Fuel cell program in NMRL


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Fuel cell

Our mission

To develop totally indigenous fuelcell for Indian armed forces &

commercial use All necessary subsystems like fuel

processor, startup systems etc.

Spin off benefits


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Achievements so far

Catalyst

Electrode

Acid holder

matrixGraphite gas

distributor plate

Acid managementsystems

Humidifiers

Thermal systems Power conditioners

Online hydrogen generation devicesHydrogen filter systems

Prototypes :- Fuel cell based power packs with all

accessories


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NMRLs View

Onsite hydrogen generation is the way

to introduce Fuel Cells successfully

For mobile application supply purified H2from onsite

local generation center PEMFCs, PAFCs

For stationary applicationbuild onsite H2generation

plant PAFCs, SOFC


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Generation of H2for possible fuel cell applications

From organic feedstocks

From inorganicfeed stocks

Alcohols Hydrocarbons

methanol

ethanol

CNG LPG Naptha,

diesel etc.

NH3

Hydrazine

NMRLs interest

Bio H2

using algae


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storage of H2for possible fuel cell applications

Compressed gas Metal hydrideNaAlH4etc.

Occluded H2C SWNT,

Organo-

metallic

framework

etc.

Chemicalhydrides

Low

temperature

storage

High pressure

light weight

storage

NaBH4, CaH2

NMRLs interest


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H2Content & requirement

Material H2wt % H2lit/lit@NTP

CH3OH 18.75 5250

CNG 50.00 8

CaH2 9.52 2133**

NaBH4 21.05 4715**

Comp H2@200atm

100.00 200

** considering powder density=1

1 kWatt power H2consumption

(lpm @ NTP)

At 100 %

efficiency

5.88

At ~65%efficiency

(~0.6V cell pot)

9.04

At ~65%

efficiency(~0.6V cell pot)

With 70%

utilization

13


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Hydrogen generation devices

Reformers

Online generation of

hydrogen by methanol

reforming

Various configurations,

for 2lpm (100W), 80

lpm (5kW),900 lpm

(60kW) power packs

Output CO level


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Pilot methanol reformer8-10 lpm

hydrogen output for process design

and scale up studies (1997)

Compact reformer 1999

(80 lpm hydrogen)

Bukhari reformer 2003

2-5 lpm of hydrogen

Instrument free, very compact,

zero powered / rotating device


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High capacity methanol

reformer , 50nM3/hr2003

hydrogen, suitable to~60kW PAFC power pack

Process design ofreformerNMRL

Detail engineering,

control systems and

installationXytel India

Commissioning - NMRL


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Hydrogen generator for small fuel cells

Liquid phase refillable cracker-NaBH4in

caustic

Catalytic (Pt on IRA-100 resin) hydrolysis

Capacity 0-2watt

Protable, orientation free usage,

Floating type

Super corroding alloy, one shot cartridge

Capacity 5-25 watt

Controlled water hydrolysis

CaH2 based, one shot cartridge

Capacity 50-150 watt

Controlled water hydrolysis


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Thermal systems Snadwich type steam heater/cooler for

quick pre-heating and heat removing of

PAFC stacks

Bayonet type forced methanol based

catalytic heater for compact reformer

Capillary action based natural methanol

catlytic burner

Bayonet type natural & fan based

hydrogen heaterCartridge type humidifier with hydrogen heater


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NMRLs Fuel Cells Products available for commercial

usage

700-1000 watt PAFC based UPS / generator

with built in compact methanol reformer

Delivers 220V AC, 700-1000VA

PAFC battery (35 Kg) Nova-1 / 2

Nominal power of 1000 watt

100 watt self contained power pack

Output :- 12+0.05 V DC upto 100 watt (max)Size 52x27x25 cm (12Kg)

Hydrogen source by hydride cracking

Hydrogen source by compact catalytic

burner based reformer


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Conclusion

Hydrogen source, generation methodology &

fuel cell typecritical for successful

application

Available supply infrastructure can be

catered for hydrogen application

This is possible through onsite hydrogen

generation


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Generally Hydrogen is produced in industry

at the expense of utility

For fuel cell application utility is

generated at the expense of

hydrogen


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nature of hydrogen demand for fuel cells

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