Project BriefPremium Power (October 1998)Distributed Premium Power Fuel Cell Systems Incorporating Novel Materials and Assembly TechniquesDevelop new, economically viable fuel cells that tolerate the high levels of carbon monoxide and that can operate with standard hydrocarbon fuels to provide power for residential and commercial service. Sponsor: Plug Power, Inc.968 Albany-Shaker RoadLatham, NY 12110
A joint venture consisting of Plug Power, Polyfuel, and SRI International has been formed for the purpose of creating fuel cell systems based on PEM (proton exchange membrane) technology that can tolerate high levels of carbon monoxide. Plug Power is a world leader in PEM fuel cell manufacturing; Polyfuel is a new PEM fuel cell venture focused on the manufacturing of membrane electrolytes; and SRI International is one of the world largest independent research organizations with considerable research expertise in high temperature polymer materials. Fuel cell systems suitable for powering a typical residence, they believe, can be made for less than $3,000 -- the price expected to make fuel cells commercially competitive with grid-delivered power. Fuel cells operate like batteries that will not wear out as long as a fuel that contains hydrogen and oxygen (from the air) are supplied continuously. Since distributing hydrogen on the scale of other fuels is impractical today, PEM cell systems make their own hydrogen-containing reformate from common fuels such as natural gas and propane. The reformate, however, is contaminated with carbon monoxide. Cells are weakened significantly with as little as 50 parts per million of carbon monoxide. Other gases present in the reformate gas stream also affect the performance of the fuel cell stack and will be considered in this project. The joint venture partners will develop new materials and designs more resistant to this contamination, raising permissible carbon monoxide levels up to 2,000 parts per million. The venture is also focusing on re-engineering other components to operate in higher levels of carbon monoxide than current designs allow. These alterations will mandate so many other modifications that the joint venture will potentially develop totally new, improved fuel cell systems. The improvements being pursued by the joint venture is very difficult. In particular, improving the cell core-membrane electrode assembly, gas diffusion layer, and bi-polar separator plates-demands substantial advances in the state-of-the-art of each technology. Success, however, could provide clean, blackout-free, stand-alone electricity that will cost 10 to 20 percent less than present grid-supplied power. The first cells, with planned ratings of 300 watts and two kilowatts, will provide power for remote applications and backup power for computers. It is likely that the achievement of even partial success will greatly improve the performance of existing cells. Support from ATP is enabling the team of Plug Power, Polyfuel and SRI to pursue a project that could make a significant leap forward in fuel cell technologies, rather than small, incremental improvements over many years of development. It is expected this will accelerate the commercial and residential acceptance of PEM fuel cells, leading to increased use of hydrocarbon fuels.
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