PEM Fuel Cells for Road Vehicles

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell technology (PEMFC) is highly suited to automotive applications since it can offer efficient energy conversion in a compact and robust package. Size and reliability are related to the simplicity of the system, which in turn is influenced by the choice of stack cooling strategy. Intelligent Energy is targeting automotive applications using evaporatively cooled stacks. The stack requires no external humidification, has low-pressure operation and requires minimal balance of plant. The technology is modular, covering the power range from 500W to 75kW, has been designed for low cost mass production using a design-for-manufacture approach. Details of the fuel cell system together with its operation and applications are included together with charts showing the systems dynamic response, efficiency and cold start performance.