Performance of a fuel cell‐based proton battery with varied designs of micro‐flow channel for enhanced hydrogen storage

Abstract

AbstractWe present an experimental investigation on a proton battery, that could run both as electrolyser and fuel cell, using six different flow channel orientations viz. pin‐type, parallel, interdigitated, spiral, serpentine, and parallel serpentine. The battery stores energy in the form of hydrogen ions and its performance is determined in terms of hydrogen wt. % stored in an integrated carbon‐based electrode. In this paper, the fabrication of electrode, development of an experimental proton battery and its testing are disclosed. The characterization of the employed activated carbon electrode is done using scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction analysis, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The fabricated proton battery is tested by charging (E‐mode operation) and discharging (FC‐mode operation) subsequently at normal temperature and pressure conditions. In the E‐mode operation, electrochemical hydrogen storage of the battery with six different flow channels is found to be in the range of 1.36–1.97 wt. %. The corresponding desorption of hydrogen in the FC‐mode operation is found to be in the range of 1.047–1.479 wt. %, respectively, for six different flow channels. The comparative result analysis revealed that parallel serpentine flow channel outperformed, with energy storage capacity of 1.97 wt. %; and pin type channel design showed comparatively low performance with energy storage capacity of 1.36 wt. %. The presented research work is an effort towards meeting the set targets of hydrogen storage set by the U.S. Department of Energy to make the hydrogen technology commercially viable.Statement of Industrial RelevanceThe presented research work has relevance with the power industry as it reveals the optimum design of flow channels for enhanced hydrogen adsorption. It is a way forward towards developing a fuel‐cell based proton battery that does not emit harmful fumes like lithium batteries and therefore, is environmentally friendly.Novelty or SignificanceThe presented research work is a maiden attempt of testing different designs of micro‐flow channels in an experimental proton battery that is a single unit capable of performing dual tasks i.e., electrolyser and fuel cell to store energy and give out power when required.