NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) 20070010455: Hydrogen-Oxygen PEM Regenerative Fuel Cell Development at NASA Glenn Research Center

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by  NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2006 Submission:
Hydrogen-Oxygen PEM Regenerative Fuel Cell
Development at NASA Glenn Research Center
David J. Bents, Vincent J. Scullin, NASA Glenn Research Center
B.J. Chang, Donald W. Johnson, Christopher P. Garcia, QSS Group
Ian J. Jakupca, Analex Corp.
Contact: David J. Bents, NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland Ohio USA 216 433 6135
Preferred Format: oral
Topic: Testing and Modeling
Subtopic: closed cycle hydrogen-oxygen PEM regenerative fuel cell
The closed-cycle hydrogen-oxygen PEM regenerative fuel cell (RFC) at NASA Glenn Research Center
has demonstrated multiple back to back contiguous cycles at rated power, and round trip efficiencies up to
52 percent. It is the first fully closed cycle regenerative fuel cell ever demonstrated ( entire system is
sealed: nothing enters or escapes the system other than electrical power and heat ). During FY2006 the
system has undergone numerous modifications and internal improvements aimed at reducing parasitic
power, heat loss and noise signature, increasing its functionality as an unattended automated energy storage
device, and in-service reliability. It also serves as testbed towards development of a 600 W-hr/kg flight
configuration, through the successful demonstration of lightweight fuel cell and electrolyser stacks and
supporting components.

This paper updates the FY2006 experimental effort and highlights the performance achieved to date.
Continuing test operations focus on:
1.) Increasing the number of contiguous uninterrupted charge discharge cycles
2.) Increasing the performance envelope boundaries
3.) Operating the RFC as an energy storage device on a regular basis
4.) Characterizing system performance with smaller and lighter weight basic components
5.) Instrumentation and in situ fluid sampling strategies to monitor health and anticipate breakdowns
6.) Continued development of fully automated operation and system health monitoring

The RFC has demonstrated its potential as an energy storage device for aerospace solar power systems such
as solar electric aircraft, lunar and planetary surface installations; any airless environment where
minimum system weight is critical. Its development process continues on a path of risk reduction for the
flight system NASA will eventually need for the manned lunar outpost.

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