Fuel cells From the material to the finished product

FRAUNHOFER INSTITUTe FoR Chemical Technology ICT Fuel cells From the material to the finished product

Partner for research, service provider for industry. Are you interested in fuel cells and looking for a competent partner for consultancy services, development and research? The research group for fuel cells at the Fraunhofer ICT offers support in all areas of polymer fuel cell development. Benefit from the institute s expertise and international network. From materials to finished systems, we support you in the development of your idea from the concept up to market introduction. Would you like to develop or optimize fuel cell components? With our expertise in the development of materials and components, we are can offer our services as a component partner. The development of catalysts and MEAs, as the basic components of fuel cells, is a particularly important aspect of our work. However, we also carry out the qualification of bipolar plates and sealing gaskets. Are you interested in the construction of fuel cells? Through our comprehensive experience in the development and production of components, subsequent characterization and assembly as well as the integration of complete systems, we are an ideal partner for you and your project. Are you planning to integrate a fuel cell into your product? On our test stands we can evaluate operation points and strategies, in order to design an optimal system. Depending on your requirements we can also draw on the competences of other departments at the Fraunhofer ICT, such as the Polymer Engineering Department for material development and the Energetic Systems Department for the safety assessment. Alkaline direct alcohol fuel cell stack for portable applications. The endplates developed at the Fraunhofer ICT enable a weight reduction of about 30 % compared to usual cast aluminum end plates.

1 2 3 Fuel cells Fuel cells are the energy source of the future. They are an alternative to combustion engines, generators and primary batteries. In a fuel cell, fuel and oxygen are converted in two spatially separated electrochemical reactions. In this process electricity and heat are produced without flames or moving parts in the cell. The resulting advantages are: low emissions high efficiency low noise 1 Electrochemical cell for the characterization of catalysts. 2 Scanning electrode microscopy of catalyst in an electrode layer. 3 HT-DEMS cell for the characterization of catalysts for HT-PEMFC under realistic conditions. Schematic diagrams of the working principle of fuel cells (left) and a simple system (right). e - e - H 2 Anode H 2 H 2 H + O - O 2 H + O - H 2O O2 O 2 Cathode

4 5 Development and characterization of catalysts and MEAs. Planning, construction and performance of conventional and unconventional measurements Assembly and evaluation of stacks Conceptualization and assembly of fuel cell systems Integration of systems 4 Facility for the automated spraying of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). 5 Electric golf-caddy with fuel cell range extender module developed by Fraunhofer ICT. Facilities and equipment The Fraunhofer ICT has all the facilities and equipment necessary for research and development work: Fully-equipped electrochemical laboratories for the production and evaluation of fuel cells Material investigation using EDX and microscopy Test set-ups with measuring equipment for the analysis of exhaust gases and for degradation tests (DEMS, MS, GC, CV) Test stands for the evaluation of individual cells up to stacks and fuel cell systems Markets The advantages of fuel cells, such as a high energy density, low emissions and high efficiency, mean that fuel cells have potential for many application areas. Portable energy supply Auxiliary power units for all types of vehicle Emergency energy supply Energy supply for military vehicles and task forces The Fraunhofer ICT supports development in all application areas. Through our close cooperation with the German Armed Forces, we can also support you if you would like to produce your system for the military market.

Project examples FUEL CELLS OPERATING ON CONVENTIONAL FUELS AS AUXILIARY POWER U NITS Eubecell FCCF-APU Together with French and German partners in research and industry we are currently developing a direct ethanol fuel cell. In collaboration with several international partners in research and industry, we are developing a fuel cell system for the on-board power supply of electric vehicles. Objective Utilization of ethanol as a fuel for the fuel cell without upstream reformation. Technology Direct electricity generation from bio-ethanol in the fuel cell. This means that a high efficiency can be achieved (in the kw-range), which enables us to use the cell as a rangeextender or stationary back-up solution. Objective Compensation of the increased energy consumption within the vehicle that results from the use of additional systems such as an A/C unit. Technology HT-PEMFC coupled with a reformer which enables the onboard conversion of conventional fuels into hydrogen-rich gas mixtures. In this project we are investigating ethanol oxidation in fuel cells as well the development of characteristic catalyst materials. Development and integration of a reformer fuel cell system. Milestones Project start: April 2012 End: April 2015

STHENIS REM2030 Together with the German Armed Forces and the FFI we are working on the implementation of a fuel cell into a unmanned submarine vehicle. In cooperation with several Fraunhofer institutes, universities and industrial enterprises, we are working on a holistic and innovative mobility concept. Different technologies will be integrated into a demonstration vehicle. Objective Design of the peripherals of a fuel cell system for a 2.5 kw PEMFC with a pure-oxygen supply and operation at increased ambient pressure. Objective The research group for fuel cells at the Fraunhofer ICT is developing and integrating an HT-PEMFC system into the vehicle as a range extender. Technology Development of a circulation process to simulate an environment compatible with the commercialized stack. Technology Fuel cell system connected to a methanol-steam reformer for the on-board production of hydrogen. Characterization of the stack and determination of the operating point. Planning and assembly of the peripherals, subsequent implementation into an AUV and connection of the fuel cell and battery system. Milestones 2013 Start of the project 2014 Characterization and assembly of the peripherals 2014 Integration into AUV and sea test Design of all system components and integration into the demonstration vehicle. Construction of the control system and integration of an electronic management system as well as connection to the CAN communication system of the vehicle.

Fuel cells From the material to the finished product Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Strasse 7 76327 Pfinztal (Berghausen) Germany Director: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Elsner Contact Dr. Jens Tübke Phone +49 721 4640-343 Fax +49 721 4640-318 jens.tuebke@ict.fraunhofer.de Dr. Carsten Cremers Phone +49 721 4640-665 Fax +49 721 4640-800665 carsten.cremers@ict.fraunhofer.de www.ict.fraunhofer.de V04.0