Integrated PEMFC Flow Field Design Concept for Gravity Independent Passive Water Removal

Electrochem, Inc.

Woburn, MA

• The heart of the ElectroChem PEM fuel cell (PEMFC) innovation was an integrated-flow-field (IFF) design concept consisting of hydrophobic and hydrophilic porous structures.

• Unique integrated-flow-field design (IFF) has been shown to provide highly superior passive water management, which results in a H2/O2 PEMFC that is gravity independent.
• Achieved higher voltage efficiencies than conventional PEMFC designs.
• Operational safety and stability due to passive and Non-FLOW-Through operation, resulting higher efficiencies, will enable passive operation and requires extremely low excess O2 to maintain stable operation.

• Unique passive operation and exceptional stability (outside the normal range of PEMFC operating conditions) makes the IFF ideal for powering remote applications like monitors and sensors, which require very high reliability.
• The unique characteristics of performance, stability, versatility, and cost of the IFF design will also make it very attractive for commercial applications such as automobile power plant, backup power, and home hydrogen refueling systems.
• A Phase III SBIR was awarded by NASA’s Johnson Space Center’s Engineering Directorate to do a 4-cell fuel stack.

• The IFF will meet NASA’s critical need for Lunar-type-Rovers (approximately 50 – 500W) over the next ten years.
• IFF will meet NASA’s need for a replacement fuel cell power plant (approximately 15 kW) for the successor to the Shuttle.
• IFF has potential of meeting NASA power system needs via a Regenerative Fuel Cell based upon the IFF concept.
• ElectroChem’s IFF PEMFC can meet NASA’s future need for a Lunar Base Energy Storage System when incorporated with a Regenerative Fuel Cell (RFC).

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Curator: SBIR Support                6-17-11