Compact PEM Fuel Cell System Using Chemical Hydride Hydrogen Source for Portable Power Generators

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Compact PEM Fuel Cell System Using Chemical Hydride Hydrogen Source for Portable Power Generators

Kim, Jincheol / Kim, Taegyu

Compact PEM fuel cell system was developed for portable power generators. The power generator features a PEM fuel cell using a chemical hydride as a hydrogen source. The hydrogen generator extracts hydrogen using a catalytic hydrolysis from a sodium borohydride alkaline solution. A novel concept using an all-in-one reactor was proposed in which a catalyst, hydrogen temporary chamber and byproduct separator was included. In addition, the reactor as well as a pump, cooling fans, valves and controller was integrated in a single module. A 200 W PEM fuel cell stack was connected with the hydrogen generator and was evaluated at the various load conditions. Considering the fast response to a sudden power load, a hybrid power management of the fuel cell and battery was contrived. The fuel cell system had a high gravimetric energy density of 425 W-hr/kg. The capability of the developed fuel cell system was validated by applying to a small unmanned aircraft. The fuel cell-powered flight test was conducted, providing three times higher flight endurance compared to the existing batteries.