Compact Water Recovery System Utilizing Permselective Membranes

a Aspen Systems proposes to develop a highly efficient and compact water recovery system from the fuel cell exhaust stream by utilizing an innovative water permselective membrane technology. In the proposed concept, the water recovery system and process are completely separate from the fuel cell exhaust stream by the membrane, and therefore, the process can be optimized independently and integration into the existing fuel cell system will be relatively simple. In Phase I, we successfully demonstrated exceptionally high water recovery efficiency from the simulated fuel cell exhaust stream by employing a water permselective membrane technology. The measured water recovery efficiency was as high as 94% and 82% for air sweep and vacuum pervaporation mode of operations, respectively. We also successfully established and optimized system and process parameters to significantly improve efficiency, durability, versatility and reliability of the water recovery process. In Phase II, we will further optimize the membrane materials and process schematics to produce a high temperature compatible and energy efficient water recovery system. At the end of the Phase II, we will assemble and deliver a fully optimized water recovery system for field testing at Air Force.