PEM Fuel Cell Systems are being developed and manufactured by a number of Companies worldwide. Opportunities to form partnerships with companies developing PEM fuel cell technology can be accessed Here.
Characteristics of PEM Fuel Cells
Electrolyte: Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC), also called Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells, have a solid electrolyte membrane which conducts protons.
Required Fuel: Pure Hydrogen (CO Tolerance: at 80°C PEMFC’s are poisoned by 10-100 ppm CO in hydrogen feed)
Operating Temperature: ~80°C
Power Density: High, approx. 0.7 volts per cell
Applications: Transportation, Portable, Backup Power, Primary Power, Electrolysers
Progress: By far the most capitalised technology. The fuel cell technology of choice for the Automotive Industry. All major automotive companies who have fuel cell programmes are developing fuel cell systems using PEM fuel cell technology. Many backup power applications exist.
Additional Information: Invented in the 1950’s by General Electric, used by NASA for the GEMINI space project.
Chemical Equations:
Anode: 2H2 »» 4H+ + 4e-
Cathode: O2 + 4H+ + 4e- »» 2H2O |
