NICOP - Development of high temperature PA/PBI polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
Abstract
Development of high temperature PA/PBI polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells:a. Operation of PEMFCs at elevated high temperatures allowsfor fast reaction kinetics, high power output, better fuel impurity tolerance as well as simplified cooling systems and stack design. So far membranes of phosphoric acid (H3PO4, PA) doped polybenzimidazole, PA/PBIare the most promising electrolyte systems in this connection, showing high proton conductivity at low water activity as well as good thermal and oxidativestability. However, in the higher end of the operating temperatureregime (above 160 ~C) the PA loss rate increases considerably, eventually leading to acid depletion and proton conductivity decay. Therefore, to increase the operation temperature of PA/PBI membrane based fuel cells, it is essential to stabilize the proton conductor, PA at elevated temperatures which is the goal of this proposed work. b. The US Navy plans to derive half its energy supply from renewables by 2020, for both strategic and environmental imperatives. Technology to collect and store locally-available but intermittent solar, wind, wave or tidal energy can offer naval assets a strategically and tactically important additional capability, in place of exclusive reliance on petroleum fuels. The US Pentagon estimates the cost of refueling forward bases at up to $107 a litre. Today~s defense forces are also often involved in emergency relief and community development missions, where setting up a basic local electricity supply is a first priority. Energy storage will remains a critical component missing from the current technology portfolio and new and improved technologies will be essential to the future of renewable energy. c. Code 33 d.The objective of the proposed project is to fundamentally understand the proton conduction mechanism of such inorganic-organic hybrid composite membranes, develop new PWA-meso-SiO2-PA/PBI based membranes for operation at 250oC or higher and to substantially increase the power output of liquid-fueled fuel cells
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 23, 2016
- Source ID
- N629091612241
Entities
People
- San Ping Jiang
Organizations
- Curtin University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy