Abstract
With regard to the best electro-chemical efficiency of an active direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), the stacks and their balance of plant (BOP) are complex to build and operate. The yield of making the large-scale stacks is difficult to improve. Therefore, a portable power station made of multiple simpler planar type stack modules with only appropriate semi-active BOPs was developed. A planar stack and its miniature BOP components are integrated into a semi-active DMFC stack module for easy production, assembly, and operation. An improved energy management system is designed to control multiple DMFC stack modules in parallel to enhance its power-generation capacity and stability so that the portability, environmental tolerance, and long-term durability become comparable to that of the active systems. A prototype of the power station was tested for 3600 h in an actual outdoor environment through winter and summer. Its performance and maintenance events are analyzed to validate its stability and durability. Throughout the test, it maintained the daily average of 3.3 W power generation with peak output driving capability of 12 W suitable for Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
Highlights
Developing intelligent services to cover remote areas, Internet of Things (IoT) networks need to be deployed in places such as farms, forest, outlying islands, infrastructure piping, etc., where there is no electricity power grid
direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) stack stack system system consists consists of fuel-cell stack, stack, balance of plant (BOP)
A novel portable DMFC power station has been developed for long-term field IoT applications with modularized semi-active stacks and mechatronic controls
Summary
Developing intelligent services to cover remote areas, Internet of Things (IoT) networks need to be deployed in places such as farms, forest, outlying islands, infrastructure piping, etc., where there is no electricity power grid. Acquiring power supply has always been a problem. This has led to demands for long-term reliable power supplies [1]. Due to limited energy storage, connection to a power source for charging is still necessary for long operations. In addition to engine-driven generators, two types of power sources, namely, the energy-harvesting sources [2,3,4,5] and fuel cells (FCs) [6,7], can be used to charge
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
