Development of a Hydrogen Home Fueling System

In the transition from current gasoline-based vehicles, hydrogen home fueling systems will play an important role in the market adoption of hydrogen-based vehicles. This project will investigate the development of such a system for the tri-generation of hydrogen, electricity, and heat. The tri-generation system will utilize solid oxide fuel-assisted electrolysis cells and solid oxide fuel cells connected in series. Using natural gas, this approach can provide a viable means to economically and efficiently produce enough hydrogen for two hydrogen-based vehicles for daily use. In Phase I, a design specification for the hydrogen home fueling system will be identified and defined, long-term stability tests will be performed at stack level, and the process economics will be evaluated. In Phase II, a prototype system will be constructed and evaluated for proof-of-concept demonstration. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The proposed technology would provide a consolidated system for hydrogen generation at low cost. Commercial applications include hydrogen production for home fueling, power generation for homes or power parks, and energy storage in hydrogen form for peak load shaving.