Presentation Title: Heavy Hydrocarbon Fuel Processing for Hydrogen Production and its High Efficient Utilization on Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System

Abstract: This study discusses about hydrogen production using diesel fuel for fuel cell operation. Diesel has high hydrogen density and well-developed infrastructure, which are beneficial properties for fuel cell commercialization. Among the several fuel cell types, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have some merits due to the high operating temperatures, such as high system efficiency and fuel flexibility. Fuel flexibility, which is one in strong points of SOFCs, is essential in the application of the fuel cell system. The operation of the SOFCs does not rely on pure hydrogen as a fuel, but may also use carbon monoxide and light hydrocarbons. The attraction of diesel fuels is due to the fuel flexibility of SOFCs. Although these advantages of diesel fueled SOFC system, diesel reforming has several issues. Aromatics and olefins in diesel easily induce the carbon deposition on the reforming catalyst, and aromatics and sulfur compounds hinder the activity of catalyst. Moreover, diesel reformate still contains light hydrocarbons (over C1-hydrocarbons) and sulfur compounds (almost H2S). Light hydrocarbons (over C1-hydrocarbons), especially ethylene, induce the carbon deposition on the SOFC anode, and cause catastrophic degradation of SOFC. H2S in reformate also causes the performance degradation of SOFC. In this study, overall issues of diesel reforming and each solution are presented, and finally we introduce the integrated diesel fuel processing for diesel-based SOFC system. The integrated diesel fuel processor consists of three reaction sections, ATR, desulfurization, and post-reforming. ATR methodology is for self-sustaining operation and suppression of carbon deposition in the diesel reactor because oxygen-aided reactions are possible for exothermic reactions and steam can suppress carbon deposition during reforming reactions. For removing sulfur compounds and low molecular weight hydrocarbons (carbon precursors), a desulfurizer and a post-reforming reactor are also included in the integrated reactor.

Biography: Joongmyeon Bae holds Ph. D. degrees from the Imperial College London, UK, in 1996. He has been an associate professor at the department of mechanical engineering in KAIST since 2002. From 1996 through 1999, he worked for Electrotechnical Lab.(currently AIST), Japan, where he developed new polymer electrolyte for PEMFC applications. From 1999 through 2002, he worked for Argonne National Lab., USA, where he carried out solid oxide fuel cell and fuel reformer development programs. He received the National Fuel Cell Research Award in 2000, R&D 100 award in 2001, Federal Laboratory Consortium Award for Excellent in Technology Transfer in 2002.

Presentation Title: Engineering Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Abstract: Development of durable, cost effective fuel cell products requires engineering at a range of length scales, from the micron scale within porous fuel cell electrodes, through the centimetre scale for stack components, to the metre scale for integrated products. This presentation will introduce work within the speakers group addressing the engineering of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) across these length scales, with a particular focus on the structure and behaviour of porous nickel based anodes, and the attributes of mCHP SOFC devices for residential applications.

Biography: Prof. Nigel Brandon FREng leads the fuel cell engineering group at Imperial College London. He is a founder of Ceres Power, an AIM listed SOFC product development company, where he holds the position of Chief Scientific Advisor, having previously held positions as CEO and CTO. He was awarded the Silver Medal from the UK Royal Academy of Engineering in 2007 for his work on fuel cell engineering leading to commercial exploitation.

Presentation Title: New insights to fuel cell modeling from recent advances in visualization

Abstract: In the past years, modeling of water transport processes in PEFCs has been extensively studied by various research groups. A major difficulty arising in modeling studies is the validation of the correctness of the underlying physical representation, particularly where water transport in porous media is concerned. Among the possible in situ visualization techniques, neutron imaging offers the advantage of a high contrast for liquid water and an extremely low degree of invasiveness due to the good transparency of usual fuel cell structural materials. Recent improvements overcame traditional limitations in spatial and temporal resolution, allowing the realization of high resolution imaging in both steady and transient states. Experimental results will be presented, emphasizing their relevance to answer important open questions in the field of modeling studies. Particular attention is given to transients of water distribution: besides the importance of non-stationary situations in PEFC operation (e.g. startup at low temperatures, load changes), inclusion of the temporal dimension gives a very valuable insight into water transport processes, as well as into the relation between flooding and performance loss.

biography: Dr. Pierre Boillat received his Master diploma from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology of Lausanne (EPFL) in 1997. After a first experience with visualization techniques as a research assitnt at EPFL, dealing with high resolution displacement measurements using pattern recognition with optical microscopy he worked several yers as an R&D engineer. Since 2005, he works at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), both on improvements in the neutron imaging technique and its application to the study of water management in fuel cells, and leads several collaboration project with automotive companies. He received his PhD from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology of Zurich in 2009.

Presentation Title: Design Features of the NASA Symmetrical Cell

Abstract: Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems are being considered for aircraft and other aeronautic applications by the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC). However, NASA goals require an order of magnitude increase in specific power density, > 1.0 kW/kg, for use in the aeronautic/aerospace environment. In order to maintain high power densities, NASA is exploring temperatures of 850oC and above. Since metal interconnects are not practical at these high temperatures, and can account for up to 70% of the weight of the stack, NASA is pursuing a design that uses thin, ceramic interconnects. The NASA GRC cell design consists of a micro-channel, YSZ support structure on both sides of a thin YSZ electrolyte, called the "Bi-supported cell" or BSC. The cell is symmetrical about the electrolyte; when combined with thin LaCrO3 interconnects and ceramic seals, it produces a thin, all ceramic repeat unit.

The porous electrode support regions are fabricated using a freeze-tape casting process, which creates micro-channels. Designing a planar interconnect without gas channels simplifies the fabrication and allows the interconnect to be kept on the order of 50 µm. The YSZ electrode scaffolds are infiltrated with active electrode materials following the high temperature sintering step. The NASA-BSC is symmetrical and CTE matched, providing balanced stresses and favorable mechanical properties. The progression of steps that has been required, in order to overcome materials issues in the fabrication and testing of single cells and small stacks in the lab will be discussed.

Biography: Dr. Thomas L. Cable (NASA GRC / U. Toledo ) Ph.D. in Chemical and Fuels Engineering from the U. of Utah, joined BP in 1984; developed oxygen conducting ceramic membranes, "Electropox/OTM Process", and SOFCs. As Head of Materials Research for two SOFC developers; inventor of sulfur tolerant fuel electrodes, reforming catalysts for JP-8 and "Regenerative" technology for NASA. Now Chief Scientist, Ceramics Branch at NASA-GRC developing high specific power density SOFCs; 29 Patents, 7 pending.

Presentation Title: Pioneering Devices for Mitigating Climate Change and Air Pollution

Biography: Dr. Whitney Goldsborough Colella is a Senior Member of Technical Staff in the Energy System Analysis Department of Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Colella works on computer simulations of low-carbon energy systems to describe their thermodynamics, economics, and environmental impacts.

Colella develops and applies analytic approaches to understand the design and performance space of networked stationary poly-generative fuel cell power plants and other distributed energy generation and storage devices against the energy demands of buildings and vehicles they may supply. The aim of her research is to use relatively inexpensive simulation to better design fuel cell systems and other low-carbon energy devices so that they meet these demands; reduce greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and energy costs; and benefit national security through increased electricity grid integrity, energy efficiency, and security and diversity of fuel supply. Colella also analyzes emissions from stationary and mobile power plants, and debugged significant discrepancies between leading emission data bases. Colella has co-edited two books, written nine book chapters, and published 12 first-author journal articles. She has delivered one plenary oral conference presentation, two keynote oral conference presentations, 32 oral conference presentations, 32 conference posters, and 70 invited talks.

Colella has a BS in mechanical engineering with highest honors and a minor in public policy from Princeton University, an M.S. in science and public policy from Sussex University, an M.S. in engineering with a specialization in mechanical from Stanford University, an MBA from Oxford University with highest honors, and a D.Phil. in engineering science from Oxford University. She has been recognized with British Marshall, Fulbright, National Science Foundation, T.J. Watson, Gilbreath, Overseas Research, and Truman scholarships and fellowships.

Presentation Title: Developments of New Monolithic Flat Tube Type Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Abstract: With its first development history of PAFC 17 years ago in Korea, there have been steady activities in the development and commercialization of fuel cells, especially in the area of polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEMFC) for residential house hold and automobile applications. Added to PEMFC, high temperature fuel cells begin to have another exponential growth very recently since, about 3 years ago, POSCO Power Inc. introduced molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) licensed from FCE, U.S.A. to the Korean market. With an investment of $500M by POSCO and its subsidiary companies, POSCO led country's fuel cell industry by installing 24MW MCFC throughout Korea with its 50M/yr manufacturing capacity for BOP and stack assembly. SOFC is also booming now from 3 years ago with funds provided by either government or individuals: POSCO is developing 150KW of planar type in 2013 with its own fund and Samsung, another 100KW of tubular type with government fund.

At present, introduced is another government program of Dae-Gyung Leading Industries Organization, which was initiated to boost new energy business for reginal industries according to "green growth" plan of Korean government. About 20 companies and 10 public institutes in the Dae-Gyung area are involved for developing two flat tube types of SOFC systems, ranging 1-5KW, including stacks, MBOP, and EBOP in the period of 2009-2014. In this presentation, mainly focused is our own stack model with new ways of designing unit cells of the monolithic type of flat tube and of manufacturing stacks using the cells. One type (MEGA cell) is composed of monolithic flat tubes that can be staked in series, and the other type (SEGA cell) is monolithic segmented plat tubes that can be stacked into both parallel and series, for the first time in the world. Showing up is current progress on the manufacturing the unit cells having a size of 30-35 mm in width, 150 -200 mm in length, and 2.5-3.0 mm in thickness, and the latest results on the performance of small scale stacks.

Biography: Dr. Jong-Shik Chung earned his PhD in chemical engineering at University of Connecticut in 1984. He is professor in the department of chemical engineering of POSTECH, South Korea, and also serves as director in the new and renewable energy center of POSTECH. He is also PhD supervising professor at Harbin Institute of Technology of China. He holds 85 patents and has published 138 scientific papers. He is member of national academy of engineering of Korea.

Presentation Title: From SOFC cells to systems at Topsoe Fuel Cell

Abstract: Topsoe Fuel Cell (TOFC) provides cells, stacks, and integrated stack modules for different applications and collaborates with integrator partners to develop, test and demonstrate SOFC technology. The technology development is based on a R&D consortium with Risø National Laboratory (Risø/DTU) which includes material synthesis and cost effective ceramic manufacturing methods for anode and metal supported flat planar cells. TOFC produces cells in addition to multilayer assembly of compact stacks with metallic interconnects.. In 2008 TOFC has constructed a 5 MW/year cell and stack production facility in Denmark featuring all the necessary unit operations from ceramic powder, continuous tape casting, screen printing, spray painting and sintering to complete stack modules. TOFC's engagement in SOFC technology includes system development in collaboration with system partners and development and manufacturing of integrated stack assemblies called PowerCore for a variety of fuels and power classes.

Biography: 1975 Graduated with a M.Sc. Degree in Chemical Engineering from The Danish technical University
1975 Employed by Haldor Topsøe A/S in the Catalyst Sales & Service Department
1979 Research Engineer in Applied Catalysis Group, R&D Division
1985 Department Manager, R&D Division
2000 Senior Scientist, Company Management. Advisor to the Chairman, Dr. Haldor Topsøe on Renewables and Fuel Cells

Abstract:The US Department of Defense (DoD) is the nation's single largest user of energy, consuming 890 TBtus or approximately 1% of the overall US energy consumption¹. Of this total, Army facility energy usage is ~ 78 TBtus, at a cost of $1.3B². Fluctuating energy costs, reliance on the electric grid and other existing energy infrastructure, and the inability to island critical facilities during extended outages all affect energy security and mission readiness at Army installations.

Recent federal, Army, and DoD goals and requirements emphasize energy efficiency and conservation, and necessitate a paradigm shift from the traditional practice of utility-delivered energy to DoD installations. Federal agencies are required by law to eliminate fossil fuel use in new and renovated facilities by 2030, and to reduce overall facility energy usage by 30% by 2015³. Army goals are to achieve 25 net zero energy (NZE) installations by 2025, and for all installations to achieve NZE status by 20582. Achieving NZE will only be possible if an optimum mix of demand reduction and renewable sources are put in place at a community, installation, or building cluster scale. Resources are not available to make every building NZE at an Army installation, and it is not necessary to have every building NZE in order for an installation as a whole to be NZE.

This presentation will describe the unique challenges and opportunities in meeting the myriad of energy goals, policies, and requirements for energy efficiency, conservation, and power production at Army installations. The end state is to produce NZE installations to assure energy and mission security.

¹Department of Defense Facilities and Vehicles Energy Use, Strategies and Goals presentation, 11 May 2009
²DoD FY08 Annual Energy Management Report, January 2009
³Energy Independence & Security Act (EISA) of 2007

Biography: Franklin H. Holcomb is Chief of the Energy Branch of the US Army Engineer Research & Development Center, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL), and has 20 years of experience in leading new energy technology projects. As a researcher at CERL, he has gained a worldwide recognition of being a technical expert on fuel cells and U.S. Army power and energy issues. For the past several months, he served as the Acting Chief of the Energy Branch at CERL leading a world-class team of scientists and engineers conducting research and development to support facility design, installation energy operations, and forward operating base energy issues. Frank holds a B.S. in Engineering Physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and an M.S. in Engineering Management from the University of Massachusetts. He has also completed coursework toward a doctorate in Electrical Engineering. His contributions to military energy research include authorship on more than 120 technical publications.

Presentation Title: Market Pull: NYS Activities Nurturing Customer Demand for Stationary Power Fuel Cells

Abstract: Over the last decade, NYSERDA's CHP Demonstration program has provided significant funding to help all types of fuel-consuming distributed electric generators including, but not limited to, fuel cells. The program is designed so help for one will yield help for all, and accomplishes this by gathering and sharing lessons learned regarding challenges involving grid interconnection, air permitting, standby tariff interpretation, and customer awareness and acceptance of these technologies. Additionally, in New York State, fuel cells are the specific beneficiaries of supportive policies such as net metering provisions, and a dedicated funding program to spur customer acquisition of fuel cells (the Renewable Portfolio Standard Customer-Sited Tier). The influence of these programs on the marketplace will be discussed.

Biography: Dr. Dana Levy manages a six-member team at NYSERDA which focuses on end-use customer acquisition of DG-CHP systems such as reciprocating engines, microturbines, combustion gas turbines, and fuel cells. He held positions in private industry and the federal government. He earned his Doctorate and M.S. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a B.S. from the University of Massachusetts, is a licensed Professional Engineer, a Distributed Generation Certified Professional, and a recipient of the USCHPA CHP Champion Award.

Presentation Title: Portable Fuel Cell System Integration and Engineering

Abstract: Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) have proved to be one of earliest fuel cell technologies to be commercialized, with the convenience of liquid fuel overcoming their cost and efficiency disadvantages relative to hydrogen polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). DMFC systems face a difficult water recovery challenge in moving cathode water back into the fuel loop, and developers have followed one of two paths in meeting this challenge: a conventional system with high water crossover, high air pressure to manage water (>20 mbar), and complex thermal / mechanical system components; or advanced MEAs with reduced water crossover, but more expensive stack components.

A 25W DMFC system developed at CMR Fuel Cells followed a third design philosophy, using low pressure, low-cost balance of plant components with conventional MEA technology to reduce development risk and time. System costs were successfully reduced by the use of a low pressure air blower (<$10), a plastic heat exchanger (<$30 in high volume production), and low cost piezoelectric micropumps. The size and weight were reduced to below 2 L and 2 kg, and the system delivered a net power of approximately 25W.

This presentation will use the CMR Fuel Cell system as a platform to discuss some of the challenges of DMFC system design, especially relating to water management and low pressure operation.

Biography: Bruce Lin was recently Head of Systems Engineering at CMR Fuel Cells in Cambridge, UK, where he led development of the company’s world-class power density DMFC stack and <2 mbar 25W system. At Ballard Power Systems, Lin led a special task force which improved automotive fuel cell freeze-startup capability to -20°C (and lower). In his current role with technology consultants 42 Technology, he assists companies in solving complex technical problems, with special focus on clean technology.

Presentation Title: Advances in Direct Methanol Fuel Cells Fed with Pure Methanol

Abstract: As a promising power source for portable applications, Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs) pose a variety of advantages such as relative high energy efficiency, and direct use of liquid fuel for easy storage and delivery. MTI Micro Fuel Cells Inc. has been pioneering technology innovation such as passive water recycling and feeding pure methanol directly in DMFCs, which remarkably improves energy efficiency and significantly reduces the level of system complexity.

In this presentation, performance of MTI's DMFC fed with pure methanol will be addressed, which shows fuel efficiency can reach above 90% and energy efficiency about 1.6 Wh/cc based on mass balance test. Increased power density over 100 mW/cm2 for high power applications using MTI's novel technology still allows for relative high energy efficiency. The robust fuel cells also shows great durability characteristics with a decay rate of less than 5% every 1000 hours over 6000 hours' degradation test

Biography: Dr. Guoqiang Lu currently works at MTI Micro Fuel Cells Inc. as a Senior Scientist. He has taken a leading role in the efforts to improve performance and durability for portable fuel cells in the recent years. Prior to his entry into fuel cell industry, Dr. Lu was a researcher at the Pennsylvania State University where he conducted his early fuel cell development including micro DMFCs, flow visualization, and water management, among others. Dr. Lu is the author or co-author of two book chapters and twenty more journal publications. He also holds more than ten patents and pending patent applications.

Presentation Title: Current Challenges in Transportation Fuel Cell Durability

Abstract: Transportation fuel cell applications present significant barriers to realizing the durability targets that are necessary for broad market adoption. Lifetime targets of >5Khr for automotive and >15 kHr for fleet applications (buses, forklifts) are very challenging under the aggressive load, temperature, and humidity cycling seen in these applications. These accelerants place special demands on the membrane, bipolar plate, and seal materials in stacks. In addition, the required high #'s of startup / shutdown and load cycles that occur in routine operation place special demands on the electrodes and diffusion media, typically requiring both materials and system approaches to mitigate performance loss. These effects are exacerbated as stack designs evolve to reduce cost by reducing PGM loadings and increase power density. This talk will discuss UTC's experience in improving durability through technology deployment in a demo fleet of fuel cell-electric hybrid buses. Also, means to shorten the qualification of materials through accelerated testing will be covered, including highly accelerated stress tests (AST's) that are being qualified under a current DOE program. Also, preliminary experience with an accelerated 5kW system designed to mimic bus transit operation will be discussed.

Biography: He currently manages PEM technology development for internal commercial and military programs with emphasis on durability limitations for materials, performance, and freeze failure modes. His group particularly focuses on technology development for fuel-cell hybrid bus fleet applications, including verification and validation of advanced configurations for improved performance and reduced cost. He has 10 years in fuel cell technology development at current and previous positions, including Staff Engineer - UTC Power, Project Leader - UTRC, and Team Leader - Neah Power Systems. Tom holds the following degrees: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from University of Washington, M.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of New Mexico, and B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Cincinnati.

Presentation Title: Challenges Associated with High Current Density Performance of Low Pt-Loading Cathodes in Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells

Abstract: Reduction of Pt loading is a key enabler for meeting automotive fuel cell cost targets. There are several advance catalyst concepts under development that focus on improving the intrinsic Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) activity of the cathode catalyst to enable 0.05 mgPt/cm2-loaded cathodes. ORR kinetics is typically measured in pure O2 under wet conditions and 0.9V (low current density) where proton and oxygen transport-related losses are minimized. While improving ORR kinetics (low current density performance) is necessary towards reducing cathode Pt loading, fuel cell stack cost (<0.2 gPt/kW target) will eventually be determined by the high current density performance such low-loaded cathodes. This talk will focus on high-current density performance and durability characteristics of low-loaded (<0.2 mgPt/cm2geo) cathodes made with conventional (Pt/C) and advance (core-shell nano-particles, thin film Pt) catalysts.

Biography: Rohit and his lab group are responsible for developing and implementing next generation electrodes in automotive PEM fuel cell systems. Rohit received a B.E. (Chemical Engineering, 1999) from Bombay University, India and a M.S. (Chemical Engineering, 2002) from University of Rochester. He then joined General Motors where he initially worked in many areas of fuel cell material development and fuel cell stack durability. In recent years (since 2005), he has been focused on developing advance anode and cathode catalysts, and understanding its performance and durability in fuel cell electrodes.

Presentation Title: High Temperature Pressurised Hybrid Systems a Key Point to Develop 60% Electrical Efficiency Power Plants Fed by Coal with CCS

Abstract: In this paper three main aspects are analysed and discussed in detail:

1. The problem encountered up to now to develop high temperature fuel cells (SOFC) hybrid systems with efficiency higher than 60%.
2. The recent DoE target to convert coal including CCS at an electrical efficiency higher than 60%.
3. The need to develop high efficiency hybrid systems including several new requirements at cell, stack, turbomachinery and control level to match the previous DoE requirements.

The analysis starts taking into account that the performance of the best existing power plants - the large size natural gas combined cycles (400 and more MW) - is fixed at an electrical efficiency level of 60% without any CO2 emission control (no CCS).

To improve this limit in the fuel cell field many publications in the '90s (Harvey and Richter, 1994; Massardo and Lubelli, 1998, etc.) evaluated the performance of several different hybrid system lay out, and the possibility to obtain efficiency larger than 70% (73-78%) was shown. Nevertheless, taking also into account the large economic effort of the last years, such efficiency level has not been demonstrated yet for many reasons (large size stack development problems, gas turbine development or modification, coupling between different technologies, modelling and control problems, etc.).

On the other hand since DoE recently fixed a very ambitious target for power plants fed by coal (electrical efficiency larger than 60% including Carbon Capture and Storage - CCS), a discussion is presented of how this goal may be reached in the near term time, and if it is mandatory the need of hybrid systems.

Therefore, in this paper the Author discusses what is necessary to develop the hybrid system technology and to match it to advanced coal system devices to reach the ambitious goal fixed by DoE.

Biography: Full Professor of Energy Systems Faculty of Engineering - University of Genoa (Italy); Director Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems University Technology Centre since 2004. He is active in the field of Advanced Energy Systems, author of about 100 Journal papers, recipient of six "ASME-IGTI Best Paper Awards", member editorial board of Applied Thermal Engineering and Applied Energy, served as chair of ASME-IGTI Closed Cycle (1994-95) and Cycle Innovations Technical Committee (2003-2005).

Presentation Title: Modeling Studies for Deepening Physical Understanding on Complex Phenomena in PEFCs and Improving Their Performances

Abstract: A Significant number of modeling studies have been carried out for PEFCs from a very simple 1-D single-phase model to a 3-D liquid/gas two-phase model and extensive reviews were already published elsewhere. Most of them deal with various phenomena in PEFCs to predict their power generation performance, i.e. IV curves. They seem quite successful for that specific purpose if fitting parameters are used to obtain a good fitting. However, it is our view that parameters obtained only from independent measurements cannot give good predictions even for a very small PEFC under a very simple operational condition. This reveals our poor understanding on realistic physical phenomena in PEFCs and, therefore, helps up to understand them better. This is an important role of modeling studies for a complex system like PEFCs where experimental studies could not analyze the phenomena single-handedly without the help from modeling studies. In this talk, I would like to present some cases in which we were able to deepen our understanding on PEFCs using both modeling and experimental techniques not only on the power generation performance but also on the durability performance.

Biography: Dr. Morimoto is Manager of Fuel Cell System Lab. of Toyota Central R&D Labs., Inc. He received a BS and a MS (Nuclear Engineering) from Nagoya University, Nagoya Japan. After joining TCRDL, he has been working on alternative power sources for automobile application. He spent three years and a half at Case Western Reserve University and received a PhD (Chemical Engineering, 1995, Prof. C. C. Liu and late Prof. E. Yeager as co-advisors), OH,USA before leading fuel cell R&D activities at TCRDL.

Presentation Title: Nanoscale Dendritic Platinum Catalysts for Fuel Cells

Abstract: Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are an energy efficient and environmentally benign energy conversion technology with the potential to replace internal combustion engines and batteries in portable, stationary, and automotive applications. However, the durability and cost of fuel cell materials, especially platinum, continue to impede successful commercialization. A major factor determining the overall lifetime achieved by a fuel cell stack is the loss of active surface area of platinum-based electrocatalysts caused by the processes of oxidation, dissolution, particle migration, sintering and coarsening. Research on improving the durability of platinum electrocatalysts has focused mainly on alloying platinum with non-precious metals and supporting platinum on various electrically conductive materials, e.g., carbon black, carbon nanotubes, etc. An alternative approach is to nanoengineer the platinum electrocatalyst in a ripening-resistant morphology to increase its stability. Recently, we reported nanostructures composed of dendritic platinum sheets, including flat nanosheets, spherical nanocages, and foam-like nanospheres. Here, we discuss the remarkable stability of holey sheets that are formed by ripening of the dendritic sheets in PEM fuel cell experiments. We attribute the stability of holey platinum sheets to their unique morphology. In particular, the formation of persistent nanopores in the 2-nm thick sheets make them remarkably resistant to loss of surface area from surface diffusion processes. We also present Monte Carlo simulations that show this holey sheet topology is resistant to some ripening processes.

This work was partially supported by the Office of Basic Energy of Sciences, U. S. Department of Energy. Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company, for the United States Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under Contract DEAC04-94AL85000.

Biography: John A. Shelnutt obtained his Bachelors, Masters, and PhD in Physics at the Georgia Tech. After his PhD in 1975, he continued his research on porphyrins, hemoproteins, and vibronic spectroscopy at AT&T Bell Laboratories. He is currently a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories where he pursues interests in photocatalytic metal nanostructuring, and the synthesis and applications of porphyrin nanostructures. He has well over 200 peer reviewed publications and patents.

Presentation Title: Control Relevant Modeling and Onboard Control for Automotive Fuel Cells

Abstract: Though the fundamental technology of internal combustion (IC) engines has not changed over last 100 years, automotive industry is moving towards a new DNA for future generation vehicles. The new DNA vision includes: "connected" as opposed to standalone vehicles, vehicles powered by electric drive as opposed to mechanical drive, petroleum free fuel sources, and impact of convergence of these technologies on future design concepts. One key technology towards this vision is fuel cell based hydrogen vehicles. Though promising, they present their own set of system and control challenges including water and thermal management. However, fuel cell controls requirements are similar to benchmark set by IC engines, e.g.: fast start, dynamic operation (0-60mph response), large turndown ratio, operation in extreme environmental conditions, durability, and of course, fuel efficiency.

Short drive cycles in typical drive profile and associated heat-up and cool-down can be compared to chemical batch reactors with highly transient throughput demands. Fuel cell system control plays a balancing act in meeting the dynamic power demand from the electric traction system (ETS) reliably while simultaneously ensuring durability of electrochemical "reactor". Heart of any control system is in understanding the dynamic behavior of the plant through mathematical modeling and exploiting this understanding for improved control and operation. Offline modeling of subsystems also enables rapid prototyping of algorithm concepts. Application of modeling for offline simulations and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) will be briefly discussed. Challenges in the area of process monitoring, sensor and actuator technology will be presented including gas concentration and stack hydration estimation and control.

Biography: Dr. Manish Sinha is Staff Engineer at Fuel Cell Activities Division of General Motors. He leads overall control strategy and control relevant dynamic modeling development for fuel cell systems. His research focus is on fuel cell water management dynamics and control and his work has been successfully prototyped and deployed in Chevy Fuel Cell vehicle fleet demonstration ("Project Driveway"). His educational background includes BTech from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Bombay (1993), MS at Oklahoma State University (1995), and Ph.D. at University of Connecticut (1999). Dr. Sinha has also co-authored commercial software "ControlStationTM" widely used by universities and industries for process control training. Dr. Sinha's professional work has resulted in numerous journal articles, book chapters, and patents.

Presentation Title: Energy Storage: From Fuel Cells to Flow Batteries?

Abtract: Reversible (regenerative) fuel cells are of great interest for energy storage. However, hydrogen, which has been proposed as a clean energy carrier for fuel cells, is hard to produce and store, needs expensive new infrastructure, and has safety and public acceptance issues. Several attempts have been made to replace hydrogen as a fuel for fuel cells with more energy dense hydrides including metal hydride fuel cells and direct borohydride fuel cells. A new concept of a regenerative fuel cell using high energy density liquid organic hydrides may be a basis for a flexible energy storage system formobile and stationary applications. Advantages and disadvantages of different types of PEM fuel cells will be discussed and compared with other methods for energy storage. This material is based upon work supported as part of the Center for Electrocatalysis, Transport Phenomena, and Materials for Innovative Energy Storage, an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences under Award Number DE-SC0001055.

Biography: Dr. Grigorii Soloveichik graduated got PhD (1976) and Doctor of Sciences degree (1992) from Moscow State University (Russia. He started his career in USSR Academy of Sciences. In 1993 he moved to the US and joined GE Global Research in 1998. His scientific interests are catalysis, electrosynthesis, and energy storage. He is a director of DOE funded Energy Frontier Research Center. Dr. Soloveichik is author of 50+ US patents and 100+ papers in peer journals.

Presentation Title: New Challenges to Heat and Water Management for Automotive Fuel Cell Technology

Abstract: Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is regarded as promising alternative of clean and high efficiency power source for automobile. Higher power density under wide range of operating temperature is required for its reducing in the cost which is the key to the acceptance of PEMFC for automobiles. Heat and water management in PEMFC is important to get the solutions for various kinds of issues such as high temperature operation, the effect of liquid water, on a fuel cell performance and cold-start. However, heat and water transport phenomena in PEMFC are not yet fully understood because of these complexity. So, extensive diagnostic and numerical research have been conducted for fundamental understanding. In this speech, we'll introduce our multiscale and multiphysics research topics by using diagnostic and numerical approach from the view point of wide range of operating temperature, and then show the future expectation and importance of numerical research in PEMFC for automobile applications.

Biography: Mr. Tabuchi joined Nissan Motor Co., Ltd in 2004, and spent two years in the Pennsylvania State University as visiting scientist from 2005. Now, he is assistant manager at Fuel Cell Laboratory in Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Presently, his main responsibilities include modeling and diagnostic research of heat and water transport in PEMFCs for automobiles.

Presentation Title: Subzero Startup of Automotive Fuel Cells

Abstract: Cold-start capability and survivability of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) in a subzero environment is a major challenge for automotive applications. Recently, a series of experimental and theoretical studies have clarified the physics governing cold-start behavior and led to the development of intraelectrode ice formation (IIF) theory. This talk will summarize the water/heat transport characteristics governing PEFC cold start, discuss novel experimental and theoretical methodologies for gaining fundamental insight into PEFC cold start, and elucidate the important roles of membrane and catalyst layer in cold start performance and durability. Further, gas purge during shutdown is profoundly critical for PEFC cold start and durability. We shall review the fundamental understanding of gas purge.

Biography: Dr. Chao-Yang Wang received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Iowa, and he is currently Distinguished Professor of Mechanical and Chemical Engineering and Professor of Materials Science & Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. He has been the founding director of Electrochemical Engine Center (ECEC) since 1997. Dr. Wang received NSF CAREER award and premier research award from the Penn State Engineering Society, and has been a senior technical advisor to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and a delegate to Indo-U.S. and Canada-US fuel cell workshops. A fellow of ASME, Dr. Wang serves on the editorial board of several journals and book series. He holds 16 U.S. and international patents and has published nine book chapters and reviews as well as over 150 journal articles. He has over 5500 SCI citations and an H-index of 41. Dr. Wang's research interests cover the transport, materials, and manufacturing aspects of batteries and fuel cells.