• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.219-233
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• 2009

Mobile devices in the next generation such as camera, cell phone, network, Note PC, etc. require higher power and energy sources due to convergences of various functions. Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) has been focused as an attractive power source, but there are critical issues involved in its commercialization with regard to the core technologies of materials, components, and system. The requirements of key technologies are differentiated from applications and fuel supply methods. Here, the roles of the proton-conducting membrane are discussed and the current status of DMFC systems is discussed in terms of proton conductivity, methanol permeability, and water management. Materials such as perfluorinated and partially fluorinated membranes, hydrocarbon membranes, composite membranes, and other modified ionomers have been studied. These would explain the critical issues of DMFC and the role of membranes for commercialization.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.21-24
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• 2008

We have developed a $kW_e$ class liquid fuel based solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system. Our final target is to develop the 1 $kW_e$ diesel based SOFC system for residential power generator(RPG). In this study, we present the conceptual design of SOFC system. System is composed of hot-box and cold-box. Planar typed SOFC stack, heat exchanger, combustor for stack tail gas, and fuel processor, such as fuel reformer and desulfurizer, are contained in the hot-box. And several balance of plants(BOP), such as fuel suppliers and controller, are contained in the cold-box. Before the SOFC system fabrication, we have already operated the selfsustaining fuel processor, and heat exchange of all heat-related components is simulated using ASPEN HYSYS, because heat maintenance and management in hot-box are important for stable operation of SOFC system. The self-sustained fuel processor was successfully operated for about 250 hours, and heat exchange is enough to operate the SOFC system.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.371-383
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• 2021

Anion exchange membranes have been used for water electrolysis, which can produce hydrogen, and fuel cells, which can generate electrical energy using hydrogen fuel. Anion exchange membranes operate based on hydroxide ion (OH^-) conduction under alkaline conditions. However, since the anion exchange membrane shows relatively low ion conductivity and alkaline stability, there is still a limit to its commercialization in water electrolysis and fuel cells. To address these issues, it is important to develop novel anion exchange membrane materials by rationally designing a polymer structure. In particular, the polymer structure and synthetic method need to be controlled. By doing so, for polymers, the physical properties, ionic conductivity, and alkaline stability can be maintained. Among many anion exchange membranes, poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) is commercially available and easily accessible. In addition, the PPO has relatively high mechanical and chemical stability compared to other polymers. In this review, we introduce the recent development strategy and characteristics of PPO-based polymer materials used in anion exchange membranes.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.733-742
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• 2022

Hydrogen fuel cell propulsion ships are emerging to respond to the recently strengthened carbon emission regulations in the international shipping sector. Methanol can be stored in a liquid state at normal pressure and temperature, and has the advantage of lower reforming temperature compared to other fuels. In this study, the optimal operating point of the methanol steam reforming system was derived by changing the Steam Carbon Ratio (SCR) from 0.10 to 3.00. Results showed that In terms of methanol conversion rate and hydrogen yield, the larger the SCR is the better, but in terms of system efficiency, it is most advantageous to operate at SCR 0.70 in Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) mode and SCR 0.80 in Pd membrane mode. Through this study, it was found that the optimal SCR in the reformer and the entire system including the reformer may be different, which indicates that the optimum operating point may be different depending on the change of the system configuration.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.11a
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• pp.81.1-81.1
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• 2010

SOFC 발전시스템의 상용화를 위해 선행되어야 할 것은 스택의 안정적 출력 및 신뢰성 확보이다. 이를 이루기 위해서는 스택을 구성하는 구성요소의 신뢰성 있는 규격 및 검수가 필요하다. 즉, 셀, 밀봉재, 분리판 및 집전체로 대변되는 구성요소들이 스택에 장착되었을 때 그 기능을 최대한 발휘하면서도 점진적 또는 급격한 품질저하가 발생되지 말아야 한다. 특히, 셀의 경우 스택의 성능에 직접적인 영향을 미치는 구성요소로서 품질에 대한 명확한 검수기준이 필요하다. SOFC용 셀은 다공성 anode, 치밀한 전해질, 그리고 다공성 cathode로 구성된 세라믹 소결체이다. 이 때 치밀한 전해질에 결함이 내재되어 있거나 물리적 힘에 의해 신규로 발생할 경우, 연료로 사용되는 수소와 공기가 만나는 cross-over가 발생하게 된다. Cross-over는 연료가 소모되는 문제도 있지만 발열로 인한 Hot spot을 형성시켜서 주변과의 온도구배를 유발하고, 이로 인해 고체 전해질의 균열전파를 일으킬 수 있고 나아가 급격한 셀의 파괴를 야기할 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 SOFC에 사용되는 셀의 형상측정, 물리적 강도 및 결함 검출을 위한 검수기법을 개발하여 스택의 신뢰성 향상과 향후 규격표준화를 위한 기반을 제공하고자, 평판형 셀의 3차원 형상을 정밀하게 측정하는 장치와 일정 면압을 인가하여 특정 형상을 갖고 있는 셀의 물리적 파괴여부를 판단할 수 있는 장치, 그리고 셀의 전해질에 내재된 결함을 검출할 수 있는 장치를 제작하였다. 본 장치들은 $1,000cm^2$급 평판형 셀까지 검수할 수 있도록 고안하여 양산시스템에 접목시킬 수 있도록 고안된 것이다. 본 장치들을 이용한 검수결과, 현재 $700cm^2$급 평판형 셀의 경우 최대 camber가 4mm 이하, 전해질의 He leak rate는 $5{\times}10^{-5}mbar.l/s.cm^2$ 이하라는 검수규격을 본 연구소에서 운전하는 스택에 1차적으로 적용하였으며 현재 검수규격의 신뢰성 및 강화를 위한 연구를 수행 중에 있다.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.416-426
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• 2023

In this study, hindered amine-grafted graphene oxide (HA-GO) with antioxidant properties was prepared and incorporated into Nafion-based composite membranes as an effective filler material for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell applications. HA-GO was synthesized via a ring-opening reaction between amine groups in 4-amino-2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethyl piperidine and epoxy groups on the surface of GO. Nafion-based composite membranes containing different weight contents of HA-GO were fabricated to compare the polymer electrolyte membrane properties with those of the pure Nafion membrane. The composite membranes with HA-GO were found to have better mechanical properties, chemical stability, and proton conductivity than the pure Nafion membrane. In particular, the conductivity retention behavior confirmed by the decrease in proton conductivity after Fenton's test of the composite membranes was better than that of the pure Nafion membrane due to the incorporation of HA-GO with effective antioxidant properties.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.353-356
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• 2009

A pivotal mechanical balance of plant for 75kW class molten carbonate fuel cells comprise of a catalytic burner and an ejector which has been designed and tested in KEPRI(Korea Electric Power Research Institute). The catalytic burner, which oxidizes residual fuel in the anode tail gas, was operated at several conditions. Some problems arose due to local overheating or auto-ignition, which could limit the catalyst life. The catalytic burner was designed by considering both gas mixing and gas velocity. Test results showed that the temperature distribution is very uniform. In addition, an ejector is a fluid machinery to be utilized for mixing fluids, maintaining vacuum, and transporting them. The ejector is placed at mixing point between the anode off gas and the cathode off gas or the fresh air Several ejectors were designed and tested to form a suction on the fuel tail gas and balance the differential pressures between anode and cathode over a range of operating conditions. The tests showed that the design of the nozzle and throat played an important role in balancing the anode tail and cathode inlet gas pressures. The 75kW MCFC system built in our ejector and catalytic burner was successfully operated from Novembe, 2008 to April, 2009. It recorded the voltage of 104V at the current of 754A and reached the maximum generating power of 78.5kW DC. The results for both stand-alone and integration into another balance of plant are discussed.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2016

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) instead of batteries is appropriate for long time flight of unmanned aero vehicles (UAV). In this work, $NaBH_4$ hydrolysis system supplying hydrogen to PEMFC was studied. In order to decrease weight of $NaBH_4$ hydrolysis system, enhancement of hydrogen yield, recovery of condensing water and maintenance of stable hydrogen yield were studied. The hydrogen yield of 3.4% was increased by controlling of hydrogen pressure in hydrolysis reactor. Condensing water formed during air cooling of hydrogen was recovered into storage tank of $NaBH_4$ solution. In this process the condensing water dissolved $NaBH_4$ powder and then addition of $NaBH_4$ solution decreased system weight of 14%. $NaBH_4$ hydrolysis system was stably operated with hydrogen yield of 96% by 2.0g Co-P-B catalyst for 10 hours at 2.0L/min hydrogen evolution rate.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2020

In recent days, fuel cell has received attention from the world as an alternative power source to hydrocarbon used in automobile engines. With the industrial advances of fuel cell, There have been a lot of researches actively conducted to find a way of generating hydrogen. Among many hydrogen production methods, Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell(SOEC) is not only a basic way but also environment-friendly method to produce hydrogen gas. Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell has lower electrical energy demands and high thermal efficiency since it is possible to operate under high temperature and high pressure conditions. For these reasons, experimental researches as well as studies on numerical modeling for Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell have been under way. However, studies on numerical modeling are relatively less enough than experimental accomplishments and have limited performance prediction, which mostly is considered as a result from inadequate effects of electrochemical properties by temperature and pressure. In this study, various experimental studies of commercial Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) composed of Ni-YSZ (40wt%, Ni-60 wt% YSZ)/8-YSZ (TOSOH, TZ8Y)/LSM (La_0.9Sr_0.1MnO₃) was utilized for improving effectiveness of SOEC model. After numerically analyzing effects of electrochemical properties according to operating temperature, causing the largest deviation between experiments and simulation are that Charge Transfer Coefficient (CTC), exchange current density, diffusion coefficient, electrical conductivity in SOEC. Analyzing temperature effect on parameter used in overpotential model is conducted for modeling of SOEC. cross-validation method is adopted for application of various MEA and evaluating feasibility of model. As a result, the study confirm that the numerical model of SOEC based on structured process of effectiveness evaluation makes performance prediction better.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.175-181
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• 2019

In the case of a conventional single stage decompression regulator used for large depressurization in the hydrogen fuel cell system of a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), problems can arise, such as pulsation, slow response, hydrogen brittleness, leakage, high weight, and high cost due to high decompression. Most of these problems can be overcome easily using two decompression mechanisms (two-stage structures). In addition, a wide outlet-pressure control range can be secured if an electronic solenoid is applied to the second decompression. Accordingly, it is necessary to improve the precision of the outlet pressure of a two-stage pressure-reducing regulator and develop techniques, such as leakage prevention, durability, light weight, and price reduction. Therefore, to improve the outlet pressure accuracy and prevent leakage, the structural part before and after decompression to improve the air tightness were divided and the analysis was carried out assuming that the valve part was closed (open ratio: 0%) after each initial internal pressure application.