In order to exploit the energy produced by the interaction of hydrogen with oxygen, the fuel cell industry requires expensive equipment such as KV, which can be replaced by the lowest price
To minimise the price of the fuel cell, the catalyst must be modified from noble metals to cheap bimetallic nano-composite which can generate high power at low cost. Additionally, if the electrolytic membrane gets self humidified and has long stability in the high range of current and different operating conditions.
The stability of the catalyst and electrolytic membrane are the main factors for the high price of the fuel cell. Yet by this modification, the price of the fuel cell will get lowered.
Thank you so much ,
Where can the equipment be extracted from the damaged equipment around us?
Fuel cells are now proven commercially available products: Here is a link to one of many commercial vendors who will sell you a fuel cell fit for your needs:
https://www.hydrogenics.com/hydrogen-products-solutions/fuel-cell-power-systems/stationary-stand-by-power/fuel-cell-megawatt-power-generation-platform/
The main problem with clean fuel cells is the need to H2 as a feed. H2 is actually an expensive fuel produce be steam reforming of natural gas (usually without CO2 capture)
Gas turbine Generators operating on Natural gas are the main competitor in the commercially available "clean power" generator market.
Metal-free electrocatalysts (40% of total cost).
Highly abundant precursors for most of its components.
Hi Mahmud,
You are correct, exploiting energy/electricity produced from Fuel Cells requires expensive equipment along with materials also. Fabricating parts of fuel cells are electrodes, MEA, Membranes, Current collectors, Flow channels and end plates with bolts. Among them, membrane electrode assembly (MEA: 40 to 60 % of total cost) is considered as the heart of fuel cells. It contains electrodes (anode and cathode) and membranes. So, the fabrication of highly effective electrocatalysts is an important parameter that can catalyze the oxidation of fuel with faster reaction kinetics and low overpotentials. In addition, the electrolyte membranes, as the heart of proton exchange membrane (PEM) based Fuel Cells, having essential function to separate the chemical reaction at the anode from that at the cathode, fuel barrier to protect the reaction between fuel and oxidant and tend to proton move freely.
In order to minimize the price of Fuel cells, these two key components are to be modified with enhanced/superior performance. The electrocatalysts materials must be modified from noble precious metals (Pt or Pd based bi-metallic/tri-metallic electrocatalysts) to non-noble metal based nano-composites, which can effectively catalyze fuels/oxidants effectively with faster reaction kinetics at low operating temperatures. In additionally, the electrolyte membranes should have low permeability of fuels, good mechanical stability, long-term chemical and thermal stability and water management.
Thus, by addressing the short coming of electrocatalytic materials and electrolyte membranes, the price of Fuel Cells can be minimized. Recently, researchers are working on these components of Fuel Cells.
If you are looking for commercial fuel cell components/materials, have a look at the following sources:
https://www.fuelcellstore.com/fuel-cell-components/membranes
or alternatively contact FumaTech (German company) directly:
https://www.fumatech.com/Startseite/index.html
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