PEM Fuel Cell Laboratory Demonstration

Submitted by Carla Browning
Phone: (907) 474-7778
10/16/03

A one-kilowatt proton exchange membrane fuel cell will be delivered to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Energy Center next week. A laboratory demonstration will take place at the UAF Energy Center Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003 at 2 p.m.

Reliable remote power represents an important niche market in Alaska, but significant reliability and cost issues remain.

"It’s important to conduct a laboratory demonstration to determine the fuel cell’s lifespan," said Dennis Witmer, director of UAF’s Arctic Energy Technology Development Laboratory (AETDL). "The cost of production is still high and research in the lab is the next step in a process to make this type of fuel cell more reliable and affordable."

The results will be of interest for remote power applications. The fuel cell uses methanol, a fuel that is easily transported and stored in rural Alaska.

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells use a polymer electrolyte, similar to Gore-TEX raingear. This membrane allows hydrogen ions to travel between the electrodes, while the electrons must travel via the metallic conductors outside the fuel cell. The fuel cell system, built by Schatz Energy Research Center at Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif., includes a methanol reformer device which converts methanol into hydrogen for use in the fuel cell. Idatech of Bend, Ore., is supplying the methanol fuel processor.

This project is being conducted by the Institute of Northern Engineering, Schatz and Idatech. The project is funded by AETDL.

Note to editors: A start up demonstration will take place Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003 at 2 p.m. at the UAF Energy Center.

CONTACT: Dennis Witmer, AETDL at (907) 474-7082 or e-mail ffdew@uaf.edu, or Carla Browning, public information officer at (907) 474-7778 or e-mail carla.browning@uaf.edu for more information.

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