Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Development with Lightweight Component Materials. Phase 1.
Abstract
Although the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell is a leading candidate for an automobile power source through meeting the zero emission requirement, its power density is currently an order of magnitude below the 400 W/kg criterion proposed by the Department of Energy. The major contributors to stack weight are the bipolar gas distribution plates. This effort, performed jointly by Energy Research Corporation (ERC) and Texas A&M University (TAM U), focused on lightweight alternative bipolar plate materials and designs. The electronic conductivity of various candidate materials was evaluated. The emphasis was on conductive plastic materials and porous graphite. Several plastic materials with specific resistance between 0.5 and 0.8 ohm/cm were identified. Preliminary evaluation of lightweight materials was performed in single cell tests. The emphasis was on atmospheric pressure and internally humidified cell operation as a potential means of system simplification and reduction of PEM fuel cell ancillary equipment complexity and weight. The performance of single cells was nearly the same at 1 and 3 atm pressure. At a cell potential of O.6V, a current density of 230 mA/sq cm was reached at 1.7 stoichiometric air flow rate. With lightweight bipolar plates, the DOE power density target may be achieved with unpressurized, internally humidified cell stacks. jg p.3
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 20, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA297075
Entities
People
- Sandors Abens