Fuel-Flexible Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cell Stack

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Program:
REBELS
Award:
$3,997,457
Location:
Golden, Colorado
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
10/01/2014 - 06/21/2021

Technology Description:

The Colorado School of Mines is developing a mixed proton and oxygen ion conducting electrolyte that will allow a fuel cell to operate at temperatures less than 500°C. By using a proton and oxygen ion electrolyte, the fuel cell stack is able to reduce coking – which clogs anodes with carbon deposits – and enhance the process of turning hydrocarbon fuels into hydrogen. Today’s ceramic fuel cells are based on oxygen-ion conducting electrolytes and operate at high temperatures. Mines’ advanced mixed proton and oxygen-ion conducting fuel cells will operate on lower temperatures, and have the capacity to run on hydrogen, ethanol, methanol, or methane, representing a drastic improvement over using only oxygen-ion conducting electrolytes. Additionally, the fuel cell will leverage a recently developed ceramic processing technique that decreases fuel cell manufacturing cost and complexity. Additionally, their technology will reduce the number of manufacturing steps from 15 to 3, drastically reducing the cost of distributed generation applications.

Potential Impact:

If successful, Mines’ unique architecture will enable fuel cells that operate at intermediate temperatures, run on affordable natural gas, and are less expensive to produce than existing technologies.

Security:

Enabling more efficient use of natural gas for power generation provides a reliable alternative to other fuel sources—a broader fuel portfolio means more energy security.

Environment:

Natural gas produces roughly half the carbon dioxide emissions of coal, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to existing sources of power generation.

Economy:

Distributed generation technologies would reduce costs associated with power losses compared to centralized power stations and provide lower operating costs due to peak shaving.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Halle Cheeseman
Project Contact:
Prof. Ryan O'Hayre
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
rohayre@mines.edu

Partners

Versa Power Systems, Ltd.

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Release Date:
11/25/2013