(Invited) HT-PEM Fuel Cell Development for Product Definition and Scaleup

Abstract

“High Temperature” Proton conducting Electrolyte Membrane (HT-PEM) fuel cells offer an attractive method of converting renewable energy carriers (e.g. methanol) to electricity, especially remotely and in transportation. A particular advantage is their ability to digest reformates containing a few % CO, thus not requiring high purity hydrogen.Membranes of polybenzimidazole (PBI) allow for operation in the 150-200 °C range, as they do not require liquid water for continuous moisturizing as do fluorinated polymer membranes. This temperature range is advantageous for the typically used Pt catalyst, as the passivation by CO is limited.A central challenge is cost reduction, with particular focus on Pt loading of electrodes. The critical trade-off is against lifetime and electrode performance while maintaining adequate tolerance to CO and fuel trace impurities. These limitations are sensitive to system and customer parameters via selection of fuel, reformer characteristics and operation mode.Results will be presented and discussed on single cell lifetime in the 10.000 h range; objectives and results in electrode development and Pt loading, as well as results on methanol slip testing, start-stop testing and testing at elevated pressure. Lessons from early upscaling will be shared.