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150W Portable Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Power Supply/Battery Charger

150W Portable Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Power Supply/Battery Charger. Lawrence J. Gestaut Cecelia Cropley Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC Newton, MA 2005 Joint Service Power Expo Tampa, FL - May 4, 2005. Why Fuel Cells?.

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150W Portable Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Power Supply/Battery Charger

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  1. 150W Portable Direct Methanol Fuel CellPower Supply/Battery Charger • Lawrence J. Gestaut • Cecelia Cropley • Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC • Newton, MA • 2005 Joint Service Power Expo • Tampa, FL - May 4, 2005

  2. Why Fuel Cells? • Fuel cells … can offer quiet operation, a lower heat signature, fuel efficiency, … supporting communications, surveillance and other electronic equipment. • - Fuel Cell Today, April 20, 2005

  3. Battery Logistics • “Marines reported they were down to less than a 2-day supply” of primary batteries during OIF combat operations. • “CECOM officials said they were developing newer, lighter-weight rechargeable batteries…to reduce dependence on disposable batteries.” • US GAO “Actions Needed to Improve the Availability of Critical Items during Current and Future Operations”, April 2005, pps. 90,95

  4. Battery Limitations • Portable power is critical, but • Batteries can not provide increasing energy demands • Primary batteries are a logistic and cost concern • Secondary batteries require a portable and reliable charger

  5. What is a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell? • CH3OH + H2O → CO2 + 6H+ + 6e- • 3/2 O2 + 6H+ + 6e- → 3H2O • CH3OH + 3/2 O2 → CO2 + 2H2O • No compressed hydrogen– No reformer

  6. Applications • Small systems • 20 W battery replacements • Mid systems • 150 to 500 W generators/chargers • Large systems • 2 to 5 kW diesel generator replacements

  7. Types of DMFCSmall Systems • Natural air convection • Passive water management • Passive cooling • Low current density • >30% methanol possible • Generally planar cells

  8. Small System Toshiba 12W/20W peak Photo from Fuel Cell Today

  9. Types of DMFCMid &Large Systems • Discrete components • Forced air • Active water management • Active cooling • Moderate current density • Dilute methanol water mix

  10. Types of DMFCLarge Stacks & Systems 800 W System 1.5 kW Stack

  11. GES Approach to DMFC • Bipolar stack, operating at high power density • Neat methanol fuel, on-board dilution • Operate at 60-70°C • Near-atmospheric air supplied by blower

  12. DMFC Schematic

  13. Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) • 6.8 kg • 10 liters

  14. DMFC Operation • Transportable • Rapid start • Load following • Low thermal signature

  15. DMFC Refueling • Liquid fuel • Refuelable “on-the-fly”

  16. Advantages of DMFC • High system energy density • Safe and easy transport • Long membrane lifetime • Reactant humidification is not required

  17. Fuel Comparison1500 W-hr (includes tank)

  18. Disadvantages of DMFC • Lower cell voltage and lower current density • Larger stack, but light and compact • Fuel efficiency • Currently ~17%, • Forecast ~25%

  19. Fuel Cell Performance Comparison

  20. Primary Batteries Comparison I = 9A

  21. GES 150 W DMFC • 6.8 kg • 10 liter • 3 hours operation with stored fuel • Rapid start • Excellent load following

  22. Future Development • Reduce stack weight and volume by > 25% • Increase power density • Improve catalysis and structures • Improve mass transfer • Reduce methanol crossover • Improved Stack Design • Lighter/thinner end and bipolar plates

  23. Systems Engineering Issues • Improve reliability, durability and ruggedness • Store and operate over military temperature range • Reduce thermal and acoustic signatures • Decrease unit size and weight

  24. Conclusions • 150W DMFC provides >60% weight reduction compared to primary batteries for 72-hour missions • DMFCs have many advantages including ease of fueling • DMFC could be fielded in the near term

  25. Acknowledgements • DARPA • Army Research Laboratory • Jet Propulsion Laboratory • Parker Hannifin

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