Coupling of a Small Scale Hydrogen Generator and a PEM Fuel Cell

Abstract

AbstractAn LPG‐based auxiliary power unit (APU) is currently being developed at the Centre for Fuel Cell Technology (ZBT). Due to the modular design of the APU, the reformer/burner module and the CO purification module, combined in the mobile gas processor (MGP), and the low temperature PEM fuel cell (PEM FC) can be developed and characterized simultaneously.While the separate characterizations of the MGP and the PEM FC are satisfactory during the initial coupling tests, a condensation problem occurs in the PEM FC, because of the high water content in the reformate gas. This paper presents two possible solutions for the prevention of condensation inside the PEM FC, when coupled with a gas processor. Analogous testing is carried out by supplying synthesized reformate gas to the PEM FC, resulting in a 360 W maximum electrical power output at 85 °C. New membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), which are suitable for reformate gas operation at temperatures up to 90 °C, are integrated in this PEM FC.Furthermore, the impact of CO on PEM FC performance can be minimized by adding an airbleed of 1.0 mol‐% of the complete anode gas. Thus, stable operation is achieved with the separate PEM FC, by supplying a synthesized anode gas, which includes a CO concentration constantly between 30 and 50 ppm.The coupling of the MGP with the PEM FC, under the improved operating conditions, leads to an electrical power output of 351 W. The overall APU efficiency is 28.5%.