Challenge Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs) can be a viable power source in many applications if their power density, energy conversion efficiency, and fuel utilization can be increased, while also reducing their cost. To realize these improvements, two critical challenges must be resolved: (1) lowering the required amount, or “loading,” of platinum catalyst while achieving a high current (power density) level, and (2) eliminating the crossover of methanol through the membrane, a process that decreases the air cathode’s performance and wastes fuel. Technology Description Similar to polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells powered directly by hydrogen or by reformate (hydrogen-rich gas produced by reforming liquid fuels), in DMFCs oxygen from the surrounding air is reduced at the cathode, but liquid methanol, instead of hydrogen, is the fuel oxidized directly at the anode. Therefore a DMFC system does not require a hydrogen storage tank or reformer, which is why DMFC systems could be an attractive alternative to direct hydrogen or reformate systems. Accomplishments Work on DMFC designs has focused on the tradeoff between reducing platinum catalyst loading and peak power. Platinum catalyst loadings have been reduced by over a factor of ten, with only a 30% reduction in peak power. For example, at a platinum loading of 2 g Pt/kW, a peak power level of 0.12 W/cm 2 was demonstrated. New hardware developed and used in a 30-cell fuel stack with a 50-cm 2 cross-sectional area produced 80 W of power at near ambient operating temperature and pressure. The projected output power at higher operating conditions (90° C and 30 psig) is 200 W. A DMFC system was successfully operated using factory-grade methanol without further purification. This indicates that special “fuel cell grade” fuel will not be required for DMFCs. Benefits A Direct Methanol Fuel Cell offers a number of advantages, including: ■ Using a liquid fuel for power. ■ A simpler system design, with the potential for low-volume, lightweight packaging. ■ Eliminating the requirement for fuel reforming and/or onboard hydrogen storage. ■ Classification as a zero-emission power system. Direct Methanol Fuel Cell April 2001 http://www.ott.doe.gov/success.html Technical advances improve the potential for a fuel cell which eliminates the need to store or generate hydrogen Contacts JoAnn Milliken Manager, Fuel Cells R&D 202-586-2480 202-586-9811 fax [email protected] Robert Nowak DARPA 703-696-7491 703-696-3999 fax [email protected] Piotr Zelenay Los Alamos National Laboratory 505-667-0197 505-665-4292 fax [email protected] Direct Methanol Fuel Cell 30-cell 45-cm 2 direct methanol fuel cell stack.

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Direct methanol fuel cell

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TechnologyDescriptionSimilar to polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM)fuel cells powered directly by hydrogen or by reformate (hydrogen-rich gas produced by reforming liquid fuels), in DMFCs oxygenfrom the surrounding air is reduced at thecathode, but liquid methanol, instead ofhydrogen, is the fuel oxidized directly at theanode. Therefore a DMFC system does notrequire a hydrogen storage tank or reformer,which is why DMFC systems could be anattractive alternative to direct hydrogen orreformate systems.

AccomplishmentsWork on DMFC designs has focused on thetradeoff between reducing platinum catalystloading and peak power. Platinum catalystloadings have been reduced by over a factorof ten, with only a 30% reduction in peakpower. For example, at a platinum loading of2 g Pt/kW, a peak power level of 0.12 W/cm2

was demonstrated.

New hardware developed and used in a 30-cell fuel stack with a 50-cm2 cross-sectionalarea produced 80 W of power at nearambient operating temperature and pressure.The projected output power at higher operating conditions (90° C and 30 psig) is 200 W.

A DMFC system was successfully operatedusing factory-grade methanol without furtherpurification. This indicates that special “fuel cellgrade” fuel will not be required for DMFCs.

BenefitsA Direct Methanol Fuel Cell offers a number ofadvantages, including:

■ Using a liquid fuel for power.

■ A simpler system design, with the potentialfor low-volume, lightweight packaging.

■ Eliminating the requirement for fuelreforming and/or onboard hydrogenstorage.

■ Classification as a zero-emission powersystem.

DirectMethanolFuel Cell

April 2001 http://www.ott.doe.gov/success.html

Technical advances improve thepotential for a fuel cell whicheliminates the need to store orgenerate hydrogen

ContactsJoAnn MillikenManager, Fuel Cells R&D202-586-2480202-586-9811 [email protected]

Robert NowakDARPA703-696-7491703-696-3999 [email protected]

Piotr ZelenayLos Alamos National

Laboratory505-667-0197505-665-4292 [email protected]

DirectMethanolFuel Cell

30-cell 45-cm2 direct methanol fuel cell stack.

CommercializationMotorola and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) collaborated in establishing a DMFCResearch Center at LANL to develop DMFCs for portable power applications, such as cellularphones and laptop computers. Mechanical Technology, Inc. has licensed the LANL DMFC technology and spun off a company to commercialize DMFC for portable power applications.Commercial interest also exists for DMFCs in remote and auxiliary power applications rangingfrom low-power instrumentation to higher power (5 kW) auxiliary units in cars and trucks. Themilitary is also interested in DMFCs as a battery replacement for combat personnel and for battle-field applications. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is collaborating withthe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in sponsoring DMFC research and development.

Future ActivitiesResearch and development efforts on DMFC systems will aim at further lowering precious metalrequirements while improving power density. To address water management and system levelissues, fuel cell stacks will be scaled up to 1 kW peak power. Long-term operation and durabilitytesting will be initiated.

Partners in Success■ U.S. Department of Defense - DARPA

■ Los Alamos National Laboratory

http://www.ott.doe.gov/success.html