IDEAL-CELL

Innovative Dual mEmbrAne fueL Cell

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'IDEAL-Cell proposes to develop a new innovative and competitive concept of a high temperature Fuel Cell, operated in the range 600-700°C, based on the junction between a PCFC anode/electrolyte part and a SOFC electrolyte/cathode, through a mixed H2 and O2 conducting porous ceramic membrane. Protons created at the anode progress toward the central membrane to meet with Oxygen ions created at the cathode, to form water, which is evacuated through the interconnected porosity network. Therefore, in our concept, Hydrogen, Oxygen and water are located in 3 independent chambers, which allows avoiding all the detrimental consequences linked to the presence of water at electrodes (low fuel and electrical efficiency, interconnect corrosion, need for a gas counter-flow…). The IDEAL-Cell concept brings a considerable enhancement of the overall system efficiency (fine-tuning of the catalytic properties of the electrode, possibility of applying a pressure on both the electrode sides, more simpler and compact stack-design with less sophisticated interconnects, more efficient pre-heating of gas, simplified heat exchange system for co-generation, availability of high quality pure water for vaporeforming …). This 4-year project, divided in 2 parts, is organized so that the risk is minimized at each step. The first 2 years will focus on the proof of the concept with routine materials; the last 2 years will be dedicated to the development of an optimized short-stack with advanced materials and architecture. The project work programme is based on extensive theory and modelling, material development, testing techniques development, benchmarking and dissemination of the knowledge acquired during the duration of the project. The best European teams have been carefully selected according to their complementary expertises and skills, and so that the type of activities involved (academic research, applied research, materials supply) ensures the success of the IDEAL-Cell project.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

While the world struggles to kick its fossil fuel habit, scientists scramble to invent and improve clean, alternative energy sources. The hydrogen fuel cell is one such alternative and luckily for the oil-addicted globe, new EU-funded science has found a possible solution.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Four years ago top European scientists began developing a new kind of fuel cell dubbed the IDEAL-Cell. Now, their new technology retains all the good of the old and none of the bad.

In existing solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and proton conducting fuel cells (PCFCs), oxygen and hydrogen react to create electricity and water. This water by-product collects at the cell's oppositely charged electrodes, resulting in corrosion and a lowering of the cell's efficiency.

Coming together under the 'Innovative dual membrane fuel cell' (IDEAL-CELL) project, a team of Europe's best researchers in the field have developed a way to prevent this collection of water. Their new system uses the positive electrode of a PCFC with the negative electrode of a SOFC. The water by-product forms in a porous membrane between the two electrodes and is quickly removed.

In 2008, the researchers started with intensive modelling and testing, and in 2010 they demonstrated the operation of a sample in front of two European Commission experts. The experts felt the team had a valid idea and advised them to focus the next two years on improving the performance of the cell, rather than its design.

Now, in addition to solving the water problem, the team has established that the cell can be fabricated using standard processes and that it performs as well as existing cells. The chemical reaction that takes place within the cells is also completely reversible, so it could become very useful when coupled with intermittent renewable energy sources.

The vision behind the (IDEAL-CELL) project has the potential to help power the world to a greener future.