Contaminant Resistant Intermediate Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell System for Military Application

Intermediate temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) operating directly on the reformates of logistic fuels have a great potential for simplifying the power generation systems for Army and Navy applications. However trace amounts of S and CO contaminants present in the reformate streams as well as in the air in hot battlefields, have a significant poisoning effect on PEMFC catalysts and membrane materials, thus limiting its performance and durability. In the present proposal, therefore a modular approach of PEMFC system design is attempted, to seggregate and resolve the contaminant problems for PEMFC systems separately. An intermediate temperature PEMFC system working at operating temperatures above 150 0C with reformate gas as fuel is proposed, wherein the reformate gas feed and the air feed have separate purification systems, thus eliminating the deleterious effects of contaminants on PEMFC performance and durability. Phase I will develop and demonstrate a conceptual design of a modular fuel cell system operating with reformate gas, with energy density in excess of 100 W/kg and H2 utilization efficiencies in excess of 50 %, which will form the basis of a more detailed design in Phase II.