High Temperature Membrane Working Group
The High Temperature Membrane Working Group consists of government, industry, and university researchers interested in developing high temperature membranes for fuel cells.
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Description
Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells typically operate at temperatures no higher than 60°C–80°C due to structural limitations of the membrane. Operating PEM fuel cell stacks at higher temperatures (120°C for transportation and 150°C for stationary applications), however, would yield significant energy benefits.
For example, heat rejection is easier at higher temperatures, which would allow use of smaller heat exchangers in fuel cell power systems. In addition, for reformate fuel cell systems, carbon monoxide (CO) tolerance of the stack is less problematic at higher temperatures, which would reduce the size requirements or possibly eliminate the need for some CO clean-up beds in the fuel processor.
New membranes must be developed to enable fuel cell operation at higher temperature ranges and achieve these energy benefits. This is an important R&D target for DOE. The R&D Plan (PDF 459 KB) for the High-Temperature Membrane Working Group summarizes the current status, challenges, R&D approaches, and technical targets of high temperature membranes for fuel cells.
Project descriptions from the FY 2007 Annual Progress Report for the Hydrogen, Fuel Cells & Infrastructure Technologies Program summarize the high temperature membrane R&D activities and accomplishments of FY 2007.
The High Temperature Membrane Working Group has set technical targets and meets twice a year to discuss experimental and computational results.
Points of Contact
John P. Kopasz, Ph.D.
Argonne National Laboratory
9700 South Cass Avenue, Bldg. 205
Argonne, Illinois 60439
Phone: 630-252-7531
Fax: 630-972-44057
E-mail: kopasz@cmt.anl.gov
Professor Jim Fenton
Director, Florida Solar Energy Center
Professor, Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering University of Central Florida
1679 Clearlake Road
Cocoa, Florida 32922-5703
Phone: 321-638-1002
Fax: 321-638-1010
E-mail: jfenton@fsec.ucf.edu
Technical Targets
- Technical Targets for Catalyst Coated Membranes (CCMs): Automotive (PDF 119 KB)
- Technical Targets for Membranes: Automotive (PDF 100 KB)
- Technical Targets for Catalyst Coated Membranes (CCMs): Stationary (PDF 94 KB)
- Technical Targets for Membranes: Stationary (PDF 84 KB)
Meeting Announcements
High Temperature Membrane Working Group Meeting, May 18, 2009
The High Temperature Membrane Working Group will be meeting on Monday, May 18, in Arlington, Virginia. This meeting is being held in conjunction with the DOE Hydrogen Program and Vehicle Technologies Program Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting. Please refer to the preliminary agenda (PDF 64 KB) for more details.