Developments in fuel cell technologies in the transport sector

Abstract

The demand for clean power source which can be used to run the various types of vehicles on the road is increasing on a daily basis due to the fact that high emissions released from internal combustion engine play a significant role in air pollution and climate change. Fuel cell devices, particularly Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) type, are strong candidates to replace the internal combustion engines in the transport industry. The PEMFC technology still has many challenges including high cost, low durability and hydrogen storage problems which limit the wide-world commercialization of this technology. In this paper, the fuel cell cost, durability and performances challenges which are associated with using of fuel cell technology for transport applications are detailed and reviewed. Recent developments that deal with the proposed challenges are reported. Furthermore, problems of hydrogen infrastructure and hydrogen storage in the fuel cell vehicle are discussed.

Graded Microporous Layers for Enhanced Capillary‐Driven Liquid Water Removal in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

“…[8] The cost of the PEM fuel cell can be strategically reduced by improving the efficiency at high current density operation. [9][10][11][12] Liquid water flooding leads to high oxygen transport resistances and reduced oxygen concentration at the cathode catalyst layer, which impedes the oxygen reduction reaction. [8] However, reaching high current density operation has been plagued by excess liquid water accumulation, also known as flooding, in the cathode gas diffusion layer (GDL).…”

Incorporating sepiolite and kaolinite to improve the performance of SPEEK composite membranes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

“…The fuel cells are categorized according to their operation condition, electrolyte type, and fuel usage. PEMFCs are commonly investigated and applied commercially for transportation and portable devices . Their high energy conversion, low operation pressure, rapid response to disturbances, and quick start‐up capability make them useful for alternative energy technology.…”

“…PEMFCs are commonly investigated and applied commercially for transportation and portable devices. [4][5][6][7] Their high energy conversion, low operation pressure, rapid response to disturbances, and quick start-up capability make them useful for alternative energy technology. However, there are some drawbacks associated with them, including their high production fuel cell cost and that they require pure hydrogen for use.…”

Hydrogenation Kinetics of N‐Ethylindole on a Supported Ru Catalyst

“…As a clean and renewable energy source, hydrogen has long been viewed as a potential solution to the increasingly pressing global energy and environmental crises . The use of hydrogen in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) to power electric vehicles and in smart grids has been a subject of intense research and development activity in recent years . It is, however, difficult to store hydrogen and to transport it safely in commercial quantities without using bulky, heavy‐duty equipment, either through compression or cryogenic liquefaction, because of its low boiling point and high flammability.…”