Advanced Solid Polymer Fuel Cells for Operation at Temperatures up to 200oC (ASPEC)

As a clean and efficient technology fuel cells are expected to provide a practical form of power generation. Among these solid polymer fuel cells (SPFC) using e.g. perfluorosulfonic acid polymer membrane (nafion„µ) have been receiving more and more attention due to their promise as a power generator for both stationary and transportation applications. The operational temperature is limited to be below 100 oC at atmospheric pressure since the presence of water is necessary. The low temperature results in a low catalytic activity at the electodes (and hence slow kinetics) and strong effect of fuel impurity poisoning. As a consequence neither methanol nor hydrogen from reforming of hydrocarbons can be used. The requirement of high purity hydrogen as the fuel not only increases operation cost but also limits the application of the SPFC.
To overcome these problems the present project aims to develop materials and technologies for an advanced high temperature solid polymer fuel cell (HTSPFC) stack operating at 150 ¡V 200oC with hydrogen from methane or methanol steam reforming (containing 2-3 % CO) as fuel. This will avoid problems associated with hydrogen storage and make the new technology promising in stationary on-site power generation plants and especially for transportation applications.
(JOULE programme (EU))