A Grid-Interactive Modulating Air Distribution Manifold

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells are one of the most promising energy conversion technologies for renewable, zero carbon, clean energy applications. However, the current leading commercial perfluorosulfonic acid-based materials are relatively expensive and have physical and chemical properties which limit fuel cell performance and durability, particularly under desirable high temperature operating conditions. This work is focused on the development and production of improved, lower cost, non-perfluorosulfonic acid conductive polymers and composite membranes that have the potential of operating at a higher temperature than the current perfluorosulfonic acid ionomers. Importantly, the structure of these materials allows for custom tailoring of physical and chemical properties key to effective performance under the harsher operating conditions required for next generation fuel cell applications. During Phase II we further developed a series of novel, non-perfluorosulfonic acid based ionomers and fabricated custom designed proton exchange membranes exhibiting both higher conductivity and lower hydrogen crossover than the commercial perfluorosulfonic acid baseline. Two leading ionomer structures have been down-selected. Membranes based on these ionomers simultaneously exhibit improved fuel cell performance and reduced hydrogen crossover compared with a leading commercial baseline. Ionomer synthesis, membrane fabrication and processing techniques have been further developed in order to improve reproducibility and reduce costs. During Phase IIA we plan to study and enhance the durability of our leading Phase II down-selected materials. Membranes will be assessed in a variety of ex situ and in situ fuel cell tests in order to assess long term durability and understand potential failure mechanisms. Durability enhancing techniques developed during Phase II will be applied in order to enhance mechanical and chemical stability and address the specific demands of high temperature and low humidity operation, while maintaining the excellent performance characteristics already demonstrated. Our collaborators for specialty testing, including accelerated stress conditions and commercial units, include a National Laboratory and a leading fuel cell device manufacturer. Success of this work would be a significant step toward clean energy production in two of the largest energy markets, transportation and stationary power. The development of more efficient fuel cells would result in a reduced dependence on fossil fuels and the associated economic, political and environmental issues related to their extraction, refinement, supply and final use.