2011 R&D 100 Winner
Terrestrial fuel cell systems operate by reacting oxygen from the surrounding atmosphere then using air to remove wastewater. For space or other applications where atmospheric oxygen is unavailable, an alternative technology would be useful. The Non-Flow-Through Fuel Cell Power System, developed by NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, and Infinity Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Inc., Windsor, Conn., is a light-weight, gravity-independent, hydrogen-oxygen non-flow-through (NFT) fuel cell power system that does not require atmospheric oxygen, a centrifugal separator, or a regenerative blower to remove excess water.
The NFT fuel cell technology uses pure oxygen as a reactant, generating electrical power in both air-independent and gravity-independent environments with a minimum number of ancillary components. The system is comprised of an NFT proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack and passive NFT balance-of-plant (BoP) technology. The PEM stack converts hydrogen and oxygen to electrical power, water, and waste heat. Water is passively removed by wicking it from the electrode surface through a hydrophilic membrane. The porosity of the membrane allows water in and holds it away from the oxygen cavity.
The design eliminates moving parts, reducing system size, and improving reliability and power use.
Technology
Non-flow-through fuel cell power system
Developers
NASA Glenn Research Center
Infinity Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Inc.
Qinetiq North America
McElroy PEM Technologies LLC
Callahan Engineering PLLC
Development Team
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(l-r): Ian Jakupca, Ken Burke, and Mark Hoberecht
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(l-r): Alfred Meyer, William Smith, and James McElroy
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The Non-Flow-Through Fuel Cell Power System Development Team
Mark Hoberecht, Principal Developer, NASA Glenn Research Center
Alfred Meyer, Infinity Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Inc.
Ken Burke, NASA Glenn Research Center
Christopher Callahan, Engineering, PLLC
Ian Jakupca, Qinetiq North America
James McElroy PEM Technologies LLC
William Smith, Infinity Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Inc.
