A kW-Class NaBH4/H2O2 Fuel Cell for Air Independent Propulsion

Abstract

A kilo-Watt-class direct sodium-borohydride/hydrogen-peroxide (NaBH4/H2O2) fuel cell is fabricated and characterized in this research. Aqueous solution of NaBH4 is directly utilized at the fuel cell anode in place of gaseous hydrogen. Similarly H2O2/water solution is directly reduced at the cathode without being first converted through molecular oxygen. The direct utilization of fuel/oxidant results in much higher (35% higher) efficiency in energy utilization. The potential for a very high efficiency (over 80%) was fully validated in the experiments, because the use of H2O2 overcomes the oxygen over-potential problem inherent to prior H2/O2 fuel cell designs. Initial results indicate: 1) conversion efficiency over 50% at a practical current density of 200 mA/cm²; 2) power density over 0.5 W/cm², at 60 degree Celsius. The kilo-Watt-stack consists of 24 cells, generating an OCV (open circuit voltage) of ∼ 42 V. The design of the reactant manifold overcomes some issues unique to an all-liquid-reactant fuel cell. Such a technology is ideal for propulsion/power in air independent environment such as space and underwater.

Key findings

• ▸Conversion efficiency over 50% at a practical current density of 200 mA/cm²
• ▸Power density over 0.5 W/cm² at 60 degree Celsius
• ▸OCV of ∼ 42 V from a kilo-Watt-stack of 24 cells

Keywords

Identifiers

DOI

10.1115/fuelcell2006-97207

Journal

ASME 2006 Fourth International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology, Parts A and B

Year

2005