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Regulating fluid flow through a fuel cell using a valve
PATENTS capacity and react to load changes. Transient phenomena and noises observed in the load are important, and may eventually affect the performance. These phenomena need to be studied further to better understand how the stack will behave under these conditions. The authors aim to safely and efficiently integrate the PEM fuel cell in a renewable energy system, with an electrolyzer/compressor/ storage system and wind turbine/photovoltaic power sources. J. Hamelin, K. Agbossou, A. Laperri&e, F. Laurencelle, T.K. Bose: Int. J. of Hydrogen Energy 26(6) 625-629 (June 2001).
Integration of carbon aerogels in PEM fuel cells The preparation of resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF)-aerogel slices several hundred microns thick was performed using different organic fibres or carbon-fibre fleece as reinforcement. Novoloid fibres showed a strong influence on the mesostructure as particles about one order of magnitude larger than with other fibres are obtained. With all fibre types here it was possible to prepare carbon aerogel gas diffusion electrodes for PEM fuel cells and to prepare MEAs. The measured voltage/current dependence showed that polyacrylnitril (PAN) fibres yield the best results, although the power density was still about a factor of 6 lower than for the best commercial electrodes. The group is reducing the average Pt particle size and modifying the inner surface of the aerogels, to increase the ionic conductivity within the membrane/electrode interface. M. Glora, M. Wiener, R. Petricevic, H. Pr6bstle, J. Fricke: J. of Non-Crystalline Solids 285(1-3) 283-287 (June 2001).
Patents Stronger, thinner SOFCwith alumina-reinforced YSZ film Applicant: Murata Manufacturing Co, Japan Patent number: US 6218036
Cost-efficient ceramic insulator for high-temperature fuel cell Applicant: Siemens, Germany Patent number: US 6218037
Regulating fluid flow through a fuel cell using a valve Applicant: Plug Power,USA Patent number: US 6218038
FuelCellsBulletin No.37
Hydrogen energy systems for remote applications An integrated renewable energy (RE) system for powering remote communication stations and based on hydrogen is described. The system is based on electrolytic production of hydrogen, using electricity generated by a 10 kWe wind turbine and a I kWe photovoltaic (PV) array. When available, excess power from the RE sources is used to produce and store hydrogen. When not enough energy is produced by the RE sources, the electricity is then regenerated from the stored hydrogen via a 5 kWe PEM fuel cell system. Overview results on the performances of the wind turbine, PV array and fuel cell system are presented. The fuel cell responded to fast load switching, through a DC/DC converter, with efficiency better than 42%. This system will also give stabilized electrical power for communication stations. Different storage techniques are also reported, and the simple technique of storing hydrogen at 10 bar in a fuel tank is retained. K. Agbossou, R. Chahine, J. Hamelin, F. Laurencelle, A. Anouar, J.-M. St-Arnaud, T.K. Bose: J. of Power Sources96(1) 168-172 (1 June
temperatures and humidity conditions. The thermal behaviour and discharge performance of the system at different discharge currents, temperatures (-10 to 50°C) and relative humidities (10-90%) was also investigated. The PPS-50 system can provide a normal power output about 50 We at 12 V, while the peak power output can reach approximately 65 We (11 V, 6 A). The water production efficiency from the cathode was approximately 70%, and the residual 30% diffused to the anode side. The system was also used to power radios for communications, and it performed extremely well during the retransmission site test, operating continuously for more than 25 h. D. Chu, R. Jiang, K. Gardner, R. Jacobs, J. Schmidt, T. Quakenbush, J. Stephens: J. of Power Sources96(1) 174-178 (1 June 2001).
DMFCs with membranes and circulating electrolyte
An advanced portable power source using a 50 We (PPS-50) PEM fuel cell system was developed by Ball Aerospace under a US Army, Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) and Office of Special Technology (OST) joint programme for commercial and military applications. The system was evaluated extensively under different environmental
A new approach for direct methanol fuel cells, with the advantage of reduced methanol crossover, is reported here. Methanol traces in the circulated electrolyte are recovered, and CO 2 bubbles in the cells are removed via the forced methanol-electrolyte stream through the cell. Degradation of the catalyst is reduced, since the electrodes degrade on activated standing without load to a greater extent than under load, because a high voltage on opencircuit promotes carbon oxidation, catalyst changes etc. Thus life expectancy increases with circulating electrolyte by removing the electrolyte from the cells between operating periods. K. Kordesch, V. Hacker, U. Bachhiesl: J. of Power Sources96(1) 200-203 (1 June 2001).
Improved clamping for stack assemblies
Applicant: Reveo, USA Patent number: WO 01/28011
2001).
PEM fuel cells for communication applications
Applicant: Plug Power,USA Patent number: US 6218039
Infrared sensor to detect reformate CO concentration Applicant: NOK Corporation,Japan Patent number: WO 01/27596
Electrode-supporting interconnects, for selective cell removal Applicant: Reveo lnc, USA Patent number: WO 01/28009
Electrode structure enables single roll pressing operation
Removing contaminants from fuel cell coolant supply Applicant: IFC, USA Patent number: WO 01/28016
Hydrogen/electricity distribution for fuel cell vehicles Applicant: General Hydrogen, Canada Patent number: WO 01/28017
PEMFC separator with conductive/ glass film suppresses corrosion Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industri~, Japan Patent number: WO 01/28018
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Integration of carbon aerogels in PEM fuel cells The preparation of resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF)-aerogel slices several hundred microns thick was performed using different organic fibres or carbon-fibre fleece as reinforcement. Novoloid fibres showed a strong influence on the mesostructure as particles about one order of magnitude larger than with other fibres are obtained. With all fibre types here it was possible to prepare carbon aerogel gas diffusion electrodes for PEM fuel cells and to prepare MEAs. The measured voltage/current dependence showed that polyacrylnitril (PAN) fibres yield the best results, although the power density was still about a factor of 6 lower than for the best commercial electrodes. The group is reducing the average Pt particle size and modifying the inner surface of the aerogels, to increase the ionic conductivity within the membrane/electrode interface. M. Glora, M. Wiener, R. Petricevic, H. Pr6bstle, J. Fricke: J. of Non-Crystalline Solids 285(1-3) 283-287 (June 2001).
Patents Stronger, thinner SOFCwith alumina-reinforced YSZ film Applicant: Murata Manufacturing Co, Japan Patent number: US 6218036
Cost-efficient ceramic insulator for high-temperature fuel cell Applicant: Siemens, Germany Patent number: US 6218037
Regulating fluid flow through a fuel cell using a valve Applicant: Plug Power,USA Patent number: US 6218038
FuelCellsBulletin No.37
Hydrogen energy systems for remote applications An integrated renewable energy (RE) system for powering remote communication stations and based on hydrogen is described. The system is based on electrolytic production of hydrogen, using electricity generated by a 10 kWe wind turbine and a I kWe photovoltaic (PV) array. When available, excess power from the RE sources is used to produce and store hydrogen. When not enough energy is produced by the RE sources, the electricity is then regenerated from the stored hydrogen via a 5 kWe PEM fuel cell system. Overview results on the performances of the wind turbine, PV array and fuel cell system are presented. The fuel cell responded to fast load switching, through a DC/DC converter, with efficiency better than 42%. This system will also give stabilized electrical power for communication stations. Different storage techniques are also reported, and the simple technique of storing hydrogen at 10 bar in a fuel tank is retained. K. Agbossou, R. Chahine, J. Hamelin, F. Laurencelle, A. Anouar, J.-M. St-Arnaud, T.K. Bose: J. of Power Sources96(1) 168-172 (1 June
temperatures and humidity conditions. The thermal behaviour and discharge performance of the system at different discharge currents, temperatures (-10 to 50°C) and relative humidities (10-90%) was also investigated. The PPS-50 system can provide a normal power output about 50 We at 12 V, while the peak power output can reach approximately 65 We (11 V, 6 A). The water production efficiency from the cathode was approximately 70%, and the residual 30% diffused to the anode side. The system was also used to power radios for communications, and it performed extremely well during the retransmission site test, operating continuously for more than 25 h. D. Chu, R. Jiang, K. Gardner, R. Jacobs, J. Schmidt, T. Quakenbush, J. Stephens: J. of Power Sources96(1) 174-178 (1 June 2001).
DMFCs with membranes and circulating electrolyte
An advanced portable power source using a 50 We (PPS-50) PEM fuel cell system was developed by Ball Aerospace under a US Army, Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) and Office of Special Technology (OST) joint programme for commercial and military applications. The system was evaluated extensively under different environmental
A new approach for direct methanol fuel cells, with the advantage of reduced methanol crossover, is reported here. Methanol traces in the circulated electrolyte are recovered, and CO 2 bubbles in the cells are removed via the forced methanol-electrolyte stream through the cell. Degradation of the catalyst is reduced, since the electrodes degrade on activated standing without load to a greater extent than under load, because a high voltage on opencircuit promotes carbon oxidation, catalyst changes etc. Thus life expectancy increases with circulating electrolyte by removing the electrolyte from the cells between operating periods. K. Kordesch, V. Hacker, U. Bachhiesl: J. of Power Sources96(1) 200-203 (1 June 2001).
Improved clamping for stack assemblies
Applicant: Reveo, USA Patent number: WO 01/28011
2001).
PEM fuel cells for communication applications
Applicant: Plug Power,USA Patent number: US 6218039
Infrared sensor to detect reformate CO concentration Applicant: NOK Corporation,Japan Patent number: WO 01/27596
Electrode-supporting interconnects, for selective cell removal Applicant: Reveo lnc, USA Patent number: WO 01/28009
Electrode structure enables single roll pressing operation
Removing contaminants from fuel cell coolant supply Applicant: IFC, USA Patent number: WO 01/28016
Hydrogen/electricity distribution for fuel cell vehicles Applicant: General Hydrogen, Canada Patent number: WO 01/28017
PEMFC separator with conductive/ glass film suppresses corrosion Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industri~, Japan Patent number: WO 01/28018
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