A Lightweight Solid Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell with Stack Power Density of 3 kW/lb (7kW/kg)
Abstract
The objectives of this project are to investigate the physico- chemical properties of some solid polymer electrolytes and of electrode kinetic parameters of oxygen reduction at the platinum/solid polymer electrolyte interface; optimize electrodes and membrane/electrode assemblies to attain the highest possible power density in fuel cells; and model the performance of an electrochemical cell stack taking into consideration the electrochemical, mass transfer and heat transfer characteristics to demonstrate the feasibility of attaining the stated goals. Highlights of the accomplishments on these tasks are as follows: using a microelectrode technique, the electrode kinetic parameters for oxygen reduction at the platinum-solid polymer electrolyte interface and the oxygen solubility and diffusion coefficient in this electrolyte were determined; with optimized electrode structures and membrane/electrode assemblies, high power densities were attained in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells (single cells; and the modeling studies reveal that thermal and water management can be effective with recirculation of gases with external condensation, and with thin metallic bipolar plates and assuming a power density of 4 watts/centimeters squared a stack power density of 7 kW/kg can be achieved. Keywords: Polymer, Electrolyte, Fuel cell, Electrochemical energy storage, Solid, Stack power density.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA223068
Entities
People
- A. J. Appleby
- S. Srinivasan
Organizations
- Texas Engineering Experiment Station