HYDROGEN€¦ · The upper heating value of hydrogen is 39 kW/kg, three times the energy density of...

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HYDROGENREPORT SWITZERLAND

13/14Projects and Products

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To use energy whenever and in whatever amount is part of our free societyand considered a fundamental right. However, energy has its price, not onlymonetary. The impact on our environment and the risks for our future arebecoming evident. Transition to a sustainable energy supply and sufficiencyis not an option any more, it is inevitable.

Most people do not want to go back to the sustainable world which existeduntil a few centuries ago and was reality for thousands of years. Hardly any-body would like to abandon the amenities of today’s energy world. However,in the past, fast and fundamental changes in societies often were the resultof crisis. The options to avoid future disasters caused by unmanaged energyconsumption are few. The solutions can not be postponed to generationsahead. Sustainable resources need to be combined with efficient technolo-gies in production and clever usage. Assessing the impacts on environmentmust be part of this chain.

Renewable energies like wind and solar power experience massive growths.On one hand, the potential is becoming widely evident now. On the otherhand, many new questions arise, because these energies can be best pro-duced at times and at places where local demand is low. The triangle of pro-duction, consumption and grids in between needs additional elements:Conversion into other energies and storage for direct use and transport.

With hydrogen as an energy carrier a variety of applications with a minimumof efficiency loss open up. Production of hydrogen out of excess photovoltaicelectricity, storing it and using this hydrogen directly for local mobility needsis part of future “Smart Cities”. Increasingly, industry is developing hydrogendriven vehicles and is implementing the results from basic research. Broadnetworks of hydrogen fueling stations are in planning phase already.

Synthetic natural gas formed of hydrogen and CO2 from fossil fuel combus-tion allows transport and storage in natural gas pipelines. Besides this hugepotential, there are a lot more concrete paths to produce, store, transportand use hydrogen.

Hydropole is networking hydrogen ideas, research, industry, products andconsumers. The progress made in the past years is incredible, as you cansee in this report. Based on the excellent work by all partners, more P&Dand lighthouse projects will be in place soon. These visible options thenbroadly enable decision makers to adopt hydrogen solutions as a significantpart of our energy future. As HYDROPOLE has been doing for years.

Villigen PSI, 28. 9. 2012

Urs Elber.Managing Director, Competence Center for Energy and Mobility CCEM

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SWITZERLAND 2013/2014

HYDROGEN REPORT

Urs Elber

EDITORIAL

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Editorial 3

Energy vision for Switzerland 6

Hydropole 10

Hydrogen production via solar gasification of carbonaceous materials 12

Applied sciences on PEM - Fuel cells in Biel 14

High Temperature Steam Electrolysis (HTSE): A material challenge 16

Synthesis of complex hydrides 18

Hydrogen for navigation 20

FITUP – Fuel cell systems for backup power applications 22

PEM Fuel cell systems 23

Public transport with fuel cell drive 26

HyTech-PECHouse2 project 28

Fuel cell research at PSI 32

Agency for pioneer and troop equipment - WTD 51 34

H2 fuelling station at the Fraunhofer ISE 36

Hydrogen as centre piece in Power-to-Gas 38

Hydrogen and fuel cell projects Switzerland 40

Hydrogen facts 70

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TABLE OF CONTENTSSWITZERLAND 2013/2014

HYDROGEN REPORT

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ENERGY VISION FOR SWITZERLAND

ENERGY HISTORYThe wealth of today is a result of industrial-ization during the last century.Industrialization was enabled in Great Britainwith the invention of the steam engine in1700 by Thomas Savary and ThomasNewcomen [1] and developments by JamesWatt [2] around 1800. He turned the steamengine in an automatic machine deliveringrotational power and improved efficiency byan order of magnitude. From 1850 on, coal was mined in order tofuel steam engines and to heat homes. In1900, approximately the same amount ofenergy (9·1012 kWh a-1) was consumed frombiomass and from coal. After the SecondWorld War, energy demand worldwideincreased more than exponentially to about120·1012 kWh a-1, corresponding to 2.0 kWper capita continuous power today. This

development has created the wealth of theindustrialized countries. From a physicalpoint of view, wealth is the availability of ener-gy and materials. Another measure of wealthis the working time necessary for maintainingthe standard of life, which is in the industrial-ized world on average only five hours perday. The economic system today is depend-ent on the availability of fossil fuels. Theworld economy produces 0.4 US$/kWh [4]and, therefore, increasing energy consump-tion increases income.

In 1865, William Stanley Jevons [5] analysedthe relationship between energy demand andefficiency of the energy converter. Hedescribed the efficiency paradox: withincreasing efficiency, energy demandincreases, because the use of energybecomes more economically beneficial.Therefore, in the current economic system,energy demand is increased for economicgrowth.

The resources used today are minerals andfossil fuels mined in the earth’s crust. Theproducts produced by industry are used andfinally deposited or released into the air orwater. Some materials are treated and recy-cled, such as glass, aluminum steel and veg-etal biomaterial. As a consequence of thecurrent economic system, carbon dioxideconcentration in the atmosphere is increas-ing, the rivers, lakes and sea are increasinglycontaminated, the amount of waste deposits(chemical and ashes, slag) is growing andnuclear waste deposits are being installed.The current industrial system is not sustain-able and was established in order to createwealth as quickly as possible in a situationwhere the limitation of resources did notaffect the growth of the economy. However,today the limitation of resources is beginningto affect the economy and the release ofwaste is a growing environmental problem,which cannot entirely be left to future genera-tions to be solved. In particular, the limitationof fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) and therelease of carbon dioxide requires a solutionin the near future.

CLOSING THE CYCLEAccording to statistical considerations, theworld population will stabilize at approx. 10billion humans [6] in 2050, thanks to growingwealth in the developing countries and, there-fore, a reduction of the number of childrenper family to two. That results in an increaseof 25% in the number of people, and a largeincrease (approx. factor of four) in demandfor resources if all reach the living standardsof western Europe. A sustainable future eco-nomic system requires the technology toclose the cycle, i.e. to provide renewablesources of energy and entirely recyclable oravoided waste. As a consequence, garbage-burning stations must be replaced with recy-cling plants, nuclear waste deposits withreprocessing plants and carbon capture andsequestration with CO2 extracted from the

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Fig. 2:Primary energydemand vs. GrossDomestic Product(GDP) per capita

Fig.1: Energydemand [3] from1800–2000 by type of energy carrier


Andreas Züttel

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HYDROGEN REPORT

atmosphere and reduction to hydrocarbonswith hydrogen. Only products which are nat-urally recycled at the same rate as they arereleased and neutral products, e.g. water,can be released or deposited without affect-ing the sustainability of development.

Fig. 3: Current economic system based on miningand depositing

Fig. 4: Future sustainable economy based on theclosed cycle

The main difference between the current andthe future economic systems is establishing atechnical link between waste and resourceswith the introduction of renewable energy.

ENERGY SOURCES AND STORAGEThe only natural ‘sources’ of energy are thesun, by nuclear fusion; the earth’s crust, bynuclear fission; and the tide, by planetarymovement. The latter is only feasible in cer-tain coastal regions coast and is not of globalimportance. The sun delivers energy in manyforms (heat radiation, wind, precipitation,waves), all of them varying in time and ingeographical location, while the earth’s crustdelivers continuous and constant heat. Thesolar irradiation in Switzerland (100 kWh/m2

per year) corresponds to world energy con-sumption today – i.e. with a technical systemwith 10% conversion efficiency, a surfacearea of ten times the size of Switzerland (700km x 700 km) has to be covered in order toproduce sufficient energy to meet globaldemand.

Fossil fuels represent energy carriers whilerenewable energy sources are energy fluxeswhich have to be stored; instead, or in addi-tion, synthetic energy carriers have to be pro-duced. A number of energy carriers are usedtoday, depending on the specific application.The crucial parameters of the energy storagesystem are volumetric and gravimetric ener-gy density. Most of energy today is stored infossil energy carriers with an energy densityof approx. 10 kWh/kg and 10000 kWh/m3.Only hydrides, ammonia and biomass comeclose (approx. 50%) to the energy density ofthe fossil fuels. Other storage systems –especially batteries, with 0.2 kWh/kg and 200kWh/m3 – store 50 times less energy thanfossil fuels.

Fig. 5: Globe with the surface area of500’000 km2 as a redsquare in the Sahara


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The conversion of renewable energyrequires an installation, i.e. an investment ofapprox. five years’ worth of produced energy.For example, the replacement of all nuclearpower plants in Switzerland with photo-voltaics would require the same area as thesurface area of all apartments (50 m2/capita= 400 km2) and would cost about 100 billionCHF. Solar energy has to be stored on twodifferent time scales, i.e. day/night and sum-mer/winter, which corresponds to 109 kWhand 3·1011 kWh respectively in Switzerland.Approx. half of the annual energy demandneeds to be stored during the year. By far themost cost effective forms of storage today arefossil fuels and hydropower, at less than 0.1€/kWh.

CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURERenewable energy requires efficient conver-sion of the energy available into electricity orusable heat. The produced heat or electricitythen needs to be stored in an efficient wayand in large quantities. The conversion ofsolar energy into an energy carrier, e.g. bio-mass, alleges or photoelectrolysis of water tohydrogen, directly delivers a storable energymaterial; however, the solar to fuel conver-sion efficiency is only in the order of 1%,which corresponds to 10 kWh/m2 per year.Theoretically, at the thermodynamic limit,more than 20% efficiency can be achieved bythe reduction of CO2 to hydrocarbons withhydrogen produced from solar energy.

Hydrogen can be produced from water bytechnical means, i.e. electrolysis. Large-scale electrolyzers reach efficiency greaterthan 80% and a power density of approx. 40kW/m2. The upper heating value of hydrogenis 39 kW/kg, three times the energy density ofthe fossil fuels. Hydrogen can be stored as

compressed gas at high pressure (<900 bar),as a liquid at -252°C, and as a solid in metalor complex hydrides; however, the storagedensity of hydrogen is limited to 20 mass%(except for liquid hydrogen) and 70 kg/m3.Therefore, the maximum energy density ofstored hydrogen is in the same range as bio-mass and alcohol, i.e. approx. 5 kWh/kg.Finally, hydrogen can be combusted in inter-nal combustion engines, turbines and fuelcells to produce work and heat and watervapor is released into the atmosphere, whereit condenses and falls back to the surface ofthe earth. The hydrogen cycle is, therefore, aclosed cycle and realized by purely technicalmeans: no living matter is needed; i.e. no cul-tivation and harvesting is necessary.

Fig. 7: The closed hydrocarbon cycle: Hydrogen isproduced from renewable energy and water andused to reduce CO2 from the atmosphere to pro-duce synthetic hydrocarbons

In order to close the gap in energy densitybetween hydrocarbons (fossil fuels) andhydrogen, the hydrogen has to be stored inthe form of hydrocarbons. Unlike water, CO2in the atmosphere does not naturally con-dense, and therefore has to be extractedfrom the air (79%N2, 21%O2, 400 ppm CO2).Currently approx. 5·1012 kg C in the form ofCO2 is released into the atmosphere fromfossil fuels each year and less than half of itis reabsorbed by natural processes, leadingto a continuous (with seasonal oscillations)increase of the CO2 concentration in theatmosphere. This can only be changed byextracting the same quantity of CO2 from theatmosphere.

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Fig. 6: Volumetric vs.gravimetric energydensity for commonenergy stores


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The major challenge for the future renewableenergy economy is the efficient production ofsynthetic fuels from CO2 extracted from theatmosphere and water. The theoretical ener-gy [7] required for the extraction of CO2 isless than 0.5 kWh/kg C, but current availabletechnologies based on an absorption reac-tion consume much more. New low energyprocesses for the separation of CO2 from N2,O2 have to be developed.

In Switzerland the main sources for renew-able energy are photovoltaics and hydropow-er for electricity, solar collectors for heat, bio-mass for food and carbon hydrates as energycarriers. The technology to convert electricityin hydrocarbons will become increasinglyimportant for the storage of large amounts ofrenewable energy for seasonal storage, e.gpower to gas and power to fuel. Furthermore,mobile applications, especially airplanes,require fuel with a energy density comparableto that of fossil fuels. The only sustainablesolution for the future is to close the cycle bysynthesizing fuels from CO2 (atmosphere)and hydrogen (water) by means of solarenergy!

References:

[1] Jenkins, Rhys (1936). Savery,Newcomen and the Early History of theSteam Engine, in The Collected Papers ofRhys Jenkins. Cambridge: NewcomenSociety. pp. 48–93.[2] Brown, Richard (1991). Society andEconomy in Modern Britain 1700-1850.London: Routledge. p. 60. ISBN 978-0-203-40252-8.[3] Jean-Marie Martin-Amouroux, IEPE,Grenoble, France.[4]http://muller.lbl.gov/teaching/physics10/PffP_textbook/PffP-10-climate_files/image022.gif[5] Jeff Rubin and Benjamin Tal, „DoesEnergy Efficiency Save Energy?“, CIBCWorld Markets InC. StrategEcon -November 27, 2007[6] Hans Rosling (2006). Global Health: AnIntroductory Textbook. Sweden:Studentlitteratur AB. ISBN 91-44-02198-4.[7] K.S. Lackner, “Capture of carbon dioxidefrom ambient air”, Eur. Phys. J. SpecialTopics 176 (2009), pp. 93–106; David W.Keith, Minh Ha-Duong and Joshuah K.Stolaroff, “Climate Strategy with CO2Capture From the Air”, Climatic Change 74(2006), pp. 17–45.


Contact:

Prof. Dr. Andreas Züttel (President)Empa Materials Sciences & TechnologyDept. Environment, Energy and Mobility“Hydrogen & Energy”Überlandstrasse 129CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland

e-mail: [email protected] Phone: +41 58 765 4692

URL: http://www.empa.ch/h2e

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HYDROGEN REPORT

The Swiss Hydrogen AssociationHYDROPOLE is the swiss national plat-form for the exchange of knowledge, stim-ulation of collaborations and the promo-tion of achieve-ments in the field ofrenewable energy, especially hydrogenproduction, storage and the use of hydro-gen e.g. fuel cells. HYDROPOLE serves asa network for fundamental and appliedresearch, development, industry andother public or private organizations. Theassociation maintains close links withother hydrogen associations in Europeand worldwide, the international energyagency (IEA) and the international associ-ation for hydrogen energy (IAHE) and theEuropean hydrogen association (EHA).

The association was founded on 23. Nov.2001 and is legally located in Monthey. Thefirst president of Hydropole was BernardMudry the former director of Djeva, a compa-ny producing synthetic saphire in a hydro-gen/oxygen flame. During the last 10 years asolid network of actors in the field of hydro-gen in Switzerland was built up and the asso-ciation has approx. 50 members today.

Approximately one third from industry, onethird academic institutions and the remainingthird are individual members. The board con-sists of 9 members, the president, the vice-president and 7 work group leaders. Since 2006 Hydropole is in close contact theEuropean Hydrogen Association (EHA). Theassociation is represented through his boardmembers in several political and internationalorganizations in order to actively connect themembers with the key players in the field ofhydrogen worldwide.Hydropole produces every second year ahydrogen report. The first report was devotedto the industry in Switzerland and was pub-lished in 2006. Followed by the second reportabout the hydrogen research in Switzerlandpublished in 2008. The current report pres-ents the major achivements in the field ofhydrogen science and technology inSwitzerland.Hydropole has organized the „Swiss village“at the World Hydrogen Energy Conference(WHEC) in June 2006 in Lyon, France. 7members have represented the activities inSwitzerland. The exhibition was a big suc-cess and has significantly increased the visi-

HYDROPOLESWITZERLAND 2013/2014

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Fig. 1: The board ofHYDROPOLE

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HYDROGEN REPORT

bility of our members. Hydropole was repre-sented by A. Luzzi and F. Holdener at theWHEC in Brisbane, Australia in June 2008. InFebruary 2008 and 2009 Hydropole partici-pated in the Swiss Pavillion organized by theSwiss embassy in Japan (Dr. Felix Mösner)at the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell exhibition (FCExpo) in Tokyo, Japan. The exhibition hadmore than 24’000 visitors and was a veryimpressive event. The WHEC 2010 hastaken place in May 2010 in Essen, Germany.Hydropole organized a Swiss Village with 8members from industry, research and acade-mia.

2011 – 2012: Hydropole as a network stimu-lates the collaboration between universities,institutions and industry. Numerous researchand development project have been createdbetween the members. Examples are thelight weight SAM fuel cell car with a metalhydride storage system, the mini bar with ahydrogen/fuel cell energy system, the livingunit SELF with an electrolyzer, a metalhydride storage and a fuel cell, the researchand development project on new membranesfor alkaline electrolyzers, the CCEM projectHyTech on hydrogen production by photo-electrolysis and hydrogen storage. In 2012the Postauto AG introduced 5 hydrogenbuses and operates a hydrogen fueling sta-tion in Brugg (AG). The buses are part of theregular service and work over the whole year.Postauto AG received in January 2013together with its partners the Watt d’Or prize,

a very prestigious award from the federaloffice of energy (OFEN) in Switzerland forprojects which contribute significantly to thereduction of fossil energy consumption .In the first ten years of the existance of thehydrogen association Hydropole it hasbrought the hydrogen community inSwitzerland close together. The personalcontacts and the exchange of information wit-hin the association are of great value for themembers. Furthermore, the association iswell known outside of Switzerland and makesa significant impact in research and industryin Europe and Asia.


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Contact:

Prof. Dr. Andreas Züttel (President)Mrs. Sara Rebsamen (Secretary)Empa Materials Sciences & TechnologyDept. Environment, Energy and Mobility“Hydrogen & Energy”Überlandstrasse 129CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland

e-mail: [email protected]

URL: http://www.hydropole.ch

Fig. 2: Watt d’OrAward for the hydro-gen Postauto projectin Bern on 10.1.2013

Thermochemical gasification of carbona-ceous materials using concentrated solarenergy offers a promising route for cleanhydrogen production. A 200 kW solargasification pilot plant has been success-fully demonstrated at the solar tower ofthe Plataforma Solar de Almeria in Spain.Coal, biomass, and carbonaceous wastes(e.g. tires, plastics, sludges) were thermo-chemically converted to high-quality syn-gas – mainly H2 and CO – with a calorificvalue upgraded over that of the inputfeedstock and suited for further process-ing into pure hydrogen.

The concept of solar steam-based gasifica-tion of carbonaceous materials for hydrogenproduction is schematically shown in Fig. 1.Concentrated solar energy provides the high-temperature process heat required for ther-mochemically converting solid carbonaceousfeedstocks (e.g. coal, biomass, or carbon-containing wastes) into high-quality synthesisgas (syngas, mainly H2 and CO) [1]. Thissyngas can be further processed to purehydrogen via water-gas shift of CO and sep-aration of CO2 with conventional technolo-gies. Other syngas applications include directcombustion for high-temperature heat (e.g. incement kilns), power generation in efficientcombined cycles and fuel cells, and furtherprocessing via the Fischer-Tropsch into liquidhydrocarbon fuels.

Conventional autothermal gasificationrequires about one-third of the feedstock tobe combusted to supply process heat for theendothermic gasification reaction, whichinherently decreases carbon utilization andcontaminates the product gases. In contrast,syngas from solar-driven steam gasificationis free of combustion by-products and has alower CO2 output, because its calorific valueis solar-upgraded over that of the originalfeedstock by an amount equal to the enthalpychange of the reaction. Solar gasification fur-ther eliminates the need for an upstream air

separation unit because steam is the onlygasifying agent, which further facilitates eco-nomic competitiveness.

Solar reactor concept for solar steamgasificationThe solar gasification process was investigat-ed in the framework of a joint PSI-ETH-Holcim R&D project co-financed by CTI. Thesolar reactor configuration is shown in Fig. 2.It consists of two cavities in series. The uppercavity functions as the solar absorber andcontains a windowed aperture to let in con-centrated solar radiation. The lower cavityfunctions as the reaction chamber and con-tains the packed bed on top of the steaminjector. An SiC-coated graphite plate sepa-rates both cavities. This arrangement offersefficient absorption of concentrated solarradiation and heat transfer to the reaction siteand enables the acceptance of a wide rangeof bulk carbonaceous feedstock of any shapeand size without prior processing.

Fig. 2: Schematic of solar gasification reactor

Demonstration on pilot scaleBased on laboratory-scale tests with a 5 kWsolar reactor prototype [2], a 200 kW pilotplant for up to 200 kg feedstock capacity (onebatch per day) was designed. The solar reac-tor, along with the peripheral equipment, wasinstalled at the solar tower of the PlataformaSolar de Almeria in Spain. Concentratedsolar radiation collected by a field of 70heliostats was focused onto the solar reactorat an operational temperature in the range1000 - 1200 °C (Fig. 3). The carbonaceousfeedstocks tested (Fig. 4) were characterizedby having a wide range of volatile, ash, fixedcarbon and moisture content, elemental com-position, as well as particle size and morphol-ogy [2]. All feedstocks were successfullytransformed into syngas with a H2/CO molar

HYDROGEN PRODUCTION VIA SOLAR GASIFICATION OFCARBONACEOUS MATERIALS

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Fig.1: The solar gasi-fication process forclean hydrogen pro-duction

Christian Wieckert

Aldo Steinfeld

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Aldo Steinfeld and Dr. Christian Wieckert Paul Scherrer Institut, Solar Technology Laboratory, CH-5232 Villigen-PSI and ETH Zurich, Dept. Mechanical and Process Engineering, CH-8092 Zurich

Phone: +41 56 310 4407e-mail: [email protected]: http://solar.web.psi.ch/; www.pre.ethz.ch/

Contact for electrolysis:

Prof. Dr. Thomas J. Schmidt, PSI Electrochemistry Laboratory, e-mail: [email protected]: www.psi.ch/lec

ratio of typically 2 and low CO2 content.Thanks to the solar energy input, higher syn-gas output per unit of feedstock was pro-duced, as no portion of the feedstock wascombusted for process heat. Consequently,about 50% more H2 can be derived by water-gas shifting the produced high-quality syngasas compared to that obtained by convention-al autothermal gasification.

Fig. 3:A field of heliostats concentrates solar radi-ation into the solar gasification reactor located45m above ground on the solar tower of thePlataforma Solar de Almeria, Spain.

Fig. 4: Packed bed of the 200 kW solar gasifica-tion reactor with different feedstocks prior to solargasification tests.

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References:

[1] N. Piatkowski, C. Wieckert, A.W.Weimer, A. Steinfeld, “Solar-driven gasifi-cation of carbonaceous feedstock – Areview”, Energy & EnvironmentalScience 4 73-82 (2011).

[2] N. Piatkowski, C. Wieckert, A. Steinfeld,“Experimental investigation of a packed-bed solar reactor for the steam-gasifica-tion of carbonaceous feedstocks“, FuelProcessing Technology 90 360-366(2009).

Hydrogen production via electrolysis ofwaterIn addition to solar driven hydrogen produc-tion processes - one of which outlined above -PSI performs research aimed at the develop-ing of materials and cells for high-pressurePolymer Electrolyte Electrolyzer Cells (PEEC)for the efficient production of hydrogen fromwater using electricity. The development strat-egy involves activities on three pathways:a) cell engineering and diagnostic to improvewater and gas transport properties to achievethe long-term goal of 200bar operation pres-sure; b) ultra-thin polymer electrolyte membranedevelopment based on PSI’s radiation-graft-ing technology for high pressure operation;and c) research on the reaction kinetics of theoxygen electrode for advanced understandingof intrinsically limiting factors.


HYDROGEN REPORT

The main objective of the fuel cell group atthe University of Applied Sciences in Biel(BFH-TI) is to bring fuel cells to the peo-ple. Pursuing this goal, a small team ofengineers started the fuel cells activitiesat the BFH-TI in Biel at the turn of the cen-tury. Ever since, the test lab for PEM fuelcells has been equipped with several self-designed testing facilities meeting aca-demic and industrial needs, enabling sci-entific research and market orienteddevelopments. The BFH-TI has developedduring this time also an own stack andsystem concept which has found its wayinto commercialization together with aSwiss company. In order to make the pos-sible applications of PEM fuel cells moretangible for the people, several demon-strators for mobile and automotive appli-cations have also been developed. Today,the BFH-TI is able to serve an excellentinfrastructure and high competence fordeveloping and testing PEM fuel cellstacks and systems in the power range ofsome watts to several kW.

One of the larger projects was the develop-ment of a fuel cell - battery hybrid system andits integration in a lightweight electric vehiclecalled “SAM”. The SAM is a three-wheel elec-tric vehicle which offers two seats arranged ina row and has been developed in Biel forlocal traffic. The PEM-stack consists of 96cells and has a maximum power of 6 kW; incombination with lithium-polymer batteriesthe propulsion system can be supplied with apower of 15 kW. The Fuel Cell Hybrid SAMwas tested on the roads around Biel and theresults were very satisfying: low consumptionof about 450g H2/100km and a range of 130km, which seems very interesting for anurban electric light weight vehicle.

When designing a PEM fuel cell system, oneof the aspects which have a fundamentalinfluence on the system architecture and per-formance is the source of oxygen: pure oxy-gen from gas cylinders e.g., or oxygen fromthe ambient air. The main focus of the fuelcell system activities at the BFH-TI lie onhydrogen-air PEM fuel cell systems.However, in order to explore and demon-strate the main characteristics and differ-ences, a hydrogen-oxygen PEM fuel cell sys-tem was integrated into an E-Scooter. Thereactant gases are both stored in pressurized2L gas cylinders at 200 bar. To achieve theelectrical dynamics demanded during accel-eration in a scooter, a series of super caps isconnected directly in parallel to the PEM –Stack. The performance has been provedthrough extensive tests on an in-house cir-cuit, normally used by go-carts. In order toreach an adequate range for urban traffic,gas cylinders with a pressure of 700 barwould be ideal. Such cylinders are howevernot yet commercially available at big scale

These and other projects like the clevertrailer,equipped with a 500 Watt PEM-System in aslide-in module, are excellent examples ofthe fruitful collaboration of the BFH-TI withindustry and other research institutes.

Driven by the motivation to tackle the prob-lem of high fuel cell production costs, animportant strategic in-house project wasstarted in 2005 to develop a low-cost PEMfuel cell stack based on flexible materials,which can be punched and promise cheapproduction costs even at low scale manufac-ture. Instead of the solely use of convention-ally milled graphite plates, the new develop-ment is based on an optimized combinationof foil materials, which can be easily dye cut,

HYDROGEN REPORT


Michael Höckel

Fig. 1: Typical PEMfuel Cell demonstratorSystems at BFH-TI

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APPLIED SCIENCES ON PEM - FUEL CELLS IN BIEL

Contact:

Prof. Michael HöckelUniversity of Applied SciencesInstitute for Energy and Mobility ResearchQuellgasse 21CH-2501 Biel, Switzerland

Phone: +41 32 321 6416e-mail: [email protected]: www.ti.bfh.ch

ensuring low production time and hence,costs. Further focus was set on integratingthe gas humidification into the individual cellsand enabling a concept of edge air cooling byproviding each cell with cooling fins. Thermalregulation of the cells is easily achieved byambient air passed along these fins pro-pelled by conventional axial ventilators.In close collaboration with the companyCEKAtec AG, a Swiss company with maincompetences in high quality electromechani-cal devices, and supported by research insti-tutes of PSI and EMPA, the fuel cell team ofBFH-TI developed an industrialized fuel cellsystem ready for market entry. The compa-nies SERTO and PanGas provided knowhowand materials for gas systems and hydrogeninfrastructure. Initial research and industrial-ization development had been previouslyfinanced by the Swiss Federal Office ofEnergy (SFOE) and by the Commission forTechnology and Innovation (CTI).

Fig. 2: IHPoS – Stack and System by BFH-TI andCEKAtec AG

The result of this collaboration between aca-demia and industry is a Swiss Fuel CellProduct Family with the brand name IHPoS –Independent Hydrogen Power Systems,commercialized by the company CEKAtec.“Naked” PEM Fuel Cell Stacks in the powerrange of 200 W up to 750 Watt can beordered since 2009 and a certified 500 Wattfuel cell system will be available in fall 2012.The core of the IHPoS-Fuel Cell Systemstechnology consists of an innovative elec-tronic developed at the BFH-TI, whichenables short time to market industrializationof systems in the range of 200 Watt up to 1kW, making it a full modular concept. Theapplication of the IHPoS modularity has beendemonstrated in several prototype systemslike the Hy-Bike, a trailer with an integrated250 Watt IHPoS – range extender system,guarantying a good range for an E-Bike; alsothe battery charger IHPoSCamp, with apower output of 300 Watts.

On the commercial side, the certified 500Watt IHPoS System from CEKAtec can beintegrated in applications with high safetystandards, like minibars, as used by the rail-way companies. These minibars can beequipped with an IHPoS System to providepower for preparing hot beverages and food.

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Fig. 3: Typical appli-cations of the IHPoS-System

HYDROGEN REPORT

High Temperature Steam Electrolysis(HTSE) stands for a promising process oflarge-scale centralised hydrogen produc-tion. It is also considered as an excellentperspective for efficient use of renewablesolar or geothermal energy sources(Fig. 1). The European ADEL project(ADvanced ELectrolyser for HydrogenProduction with Renewable Energy Sources)proposes to develop a new steam electrol-yser concept. This so-called IntermediateTemperature Steam Electrolysis (ITSE)aims at optimizing the electrolyser lifetime by decreasing its operating tempera-ture while maintaining satisfactory per-formance level and high energy efficiencyat the level of the complete system,including the heat and power source andthe electrolyser unit.

Most of the water electrolysis technologies todate have used alkaline or acidic electrolytesystems for hydrogen generation [1-2].

Typical system efficiencies quoted are in the55-75% range. The current density is typical-ly around 0.2-0.4 A/cm2 and there are techni-cal difficulties in maintaining the electrolytebalance and keeping hydrogen and oxygenseparated. The electrolysis technology basedon polymer electrolyte membranes does notuse a corrosive electrolyte.

The PEM electrolyser can accept large powerinput variations allowing direct integrationwith intermittent energy sources. However,cost of such systems is expensive makingthis coupling acceptable only for limitedcases.

Electrolysers based on solid-oxide fuel-celltechnology offer the possibility of using heatgenerated from various sources in order toreduce the electric energy input and enhancethe electrolysis efficiency (Fig. 2). However,this technology will bring significant econom-ical improvement and will be competitive onlyif an increase of the electrolyser life time canbe obtained.

Sources of degradation that affect the solidoxide electrolyser cells and stack lifetimecome from the high operating temperature(800 – 1000°C). Indeed, this temperaturerange enhances chemical species evapora-tion and diffusion, resulting in the formation ofsecondary isolating phases, as well as in adecrease of the mechanical stability ofceramic and metal components.

To increase the electrolyser durability, onepossible solution is to decrease the operatingtemperature of the electrolyser. The resist-ances of cells, interconnects and contact lay-ers will tend to increase and to limit the elec-trolyser performance, but at the same time,all parasitic phenomena such as interdiffu-sion, corrosion or vaporisation responsiblefor cell and stack degradation will be signifi-cantly slowed down. Moreover, thanks to theprogress achieved in the field of SOFC, cellsand interconnect coatings are now availablethat allow reaching at 600°C equivalent per-formance that classically are obtained at800°C [3].

The work task lead by Empa is related toadvanced micro- and nanostructural analysisfor better understanding the structuralchanges, poisoning effects and degradationmechanisms of SOECs (4, 5), as shown bysome examples below (Fig. 3-4).

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Ulrich Vogt

216

Fig. 1: Integration ofhigh temperatureelectrolysis with vari-ous energy sources

Fig. 2: HighTemperature SteamElectrolysis (HTSE)presents the advan-tage to accept directheat (TΔS) in additionto the electrical ener-gy (ΔG) in the overallenergy needed (ΔH)for hydrogen produc-tion HTSE heatrequests ΔH = ΔG +TΔS

HIGH TEMPERATURE STEAM ELECTROLYSIS (HTSE):A MATERIAL CHALLENGE


References:

[1] K. McHugh, Hydrogen production meth-ods MPR-WP-0001, MPR Associates, Inc.,Alexandria Virginia, USA (2005)

[2] S.P.S. Badwal, S. Giddey and F.T.Ciacchi, Hydrogen and oxygen generationwith polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM)based electrolytic technology, Ionics 12 (1)(2006), pp. 7–14

[3] B. G. Rietveld et al., The IntegratedProject SOFC600 Development of Low-tem-perature SOFC, ECS Trans. 25 (2), 29(2009)

2 17

Contact and further information:

Dr. Ulrich Vogt, Prof. Dr. Andreas Züttel Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testingand Research,Laboratory for Hydrogen & Energy, CH-8600 Dübendorf

Phone: (+41) 58765 4160e-mail: [email protected]:http://www.empa.ch/h2e

Fig. 3: Example ofdelamination at inter-connect – interlayerinterface after 3000 hat 700°C (right), freshsample on the left.

Fig. 4: Example ofan intact interconnect– interlayer interfaceafter 3000 h at 700°C(right) due to a Mn,Co Oxide interlayer,fresh sample on theleft.

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[4] D. Wiedenmann, A. Hauch, B. Grobéty,M. Mogensen, U.F. Vogt; Complementarytechniques for solid oxide cell characterisa-tion on micro- and nano-scale, InternationalJournal of Hydrogen Energy 35 (2010)5053-5060

[5] U. F. Vogt, P. Holtappels, J. Sfeir, J.Richter, S. Duval, D. Wiedenmann and A.Züttel; Influence of A-Site Variation and B-Site Substitution of (La,Sr)FeO3 BasedPerovskites, Fuel Cells 09, 2009, No. 6,899-906

Among the various methods to prepareborohydrides, the direct, mechanicallyassisted gas-solid reactions offer solventfree routes, circumventing the necessityto remove solvents or unwanted by-prod-ucts that are unavoidable in metathesisreactions. Combining diffraction, spec-troscopy and imaging techniques, thefundamental reaction mechanisms couldbe unveiled. The formation of the B-Hbonds is the crucial step, mainly respon-sible for the activation energy needed forthe direct synthesis from the elements.Lower barriers can be achieved by usingadditives that destabilize the stable boro-hydrides and that prevent the formation ofB-B bonds during hydrogen desorption.Room temperature synthesis can beachieved starting from diborane, wherethe B-H bonds are already established.

Tetraborohydrides M(BH4)n (n being thevalence of the metal) are currently discussedas synthetic energy carriers [1]. Especiallythe lightweight alkali and alkaline earth metalborohydrides such as LiBH4 which has a highgravimetric (18wt%) and volumetric hydrogendensity (122kg/m3), are promising candi-dates for mobile applications. They form ioniccrystals composed of positively chargedmetal ions [M]n+, and negatively chargedborohydride [BH4]- ions. To exploit the highhydrogen content, the material ought to haveconvenient working conditions in terms ofdesorption temperature, equilibrium pressureand sorption kinetics. Furthermore, it shouldbe easy to regenerate: technical applicationrequires an efficient way to synthesize theborohydrides either on-board or off-board. The first borohydrides were isolated by Stocket al. in 1935 [2-3] from the reaction of potas-sium amalgam and sodium amalgam withdiborane. The reaction products were mistak-en to be “disodium-diborane” Na2B2H6 and“dipotassium diborane” K2B2H6. In 1949Kasper et al. identified “disodium-diborane”to be sodium borohydride NaBH4 by its X-raydiffraction pattern [4]. The synthesis of LiBH4from the reaction of gaseous diborane (B2H6)with ethyllithium (C2H5Li) was reported bySchlesinger and Brown in 1940 [5]. Moreconveniently, LiBH4 can be produced eitherby the reaction of LiH and B2H6 (suspendedin diethyl ether) or by the metathesis reactionof NaBH4 and LiCl, respectively [6]. To obtain the pure borohydride, by-productsof the reaction and the solvent have to be

removed. Within the last years several meth-ods for the solvent-free synthesis wereapplied. These methods comprise (a) thehigh temperature / high pressure direct syn-thesis from the elements, (b) high tempera-ture / high pressure reactions involving binarymetal hydrides and binary metal borides andfinally (c) the reaction of gaseous B2H6 withthe respective solid metal hydride. All afore-mentioned routes were followed within thelast years at Empa. The results of our research suggest that theboron supply is crucial for the synthesis.Breaking of the B-B or the B-metal bonds andthe formation of B-H seem to be the limitingsteps. Consequently, reaction paths involvingdiborane (B2H6), in which the B-H bonds arealready established, should further facilitatethe formation of LiBH4 at lower temperaturesand pressures. Exposing LiH to a diborane 10 bar at 100°Cleads to the formation of LiBH4. The reactionstops after about 50% of LiH is consumed forthe formation of LiBH4. The reaction pro-ceeds in one step, no intermediate productsare visible [7]. A core-shell structure of lithiumhydride surrounded by lithium borohydride isobserved, as shown in figure 1 [8].

Fig. 1: Secondary electron images (induced by 30keV ion beam) of LiH after reaction with diboraneshowing a grain (a) with its corresponding crosssectional view (b) of a core shell structure. Thechemical composition of the inner part of the grainand the outer layer were determined by electronloss spectroscopy [9].

The reaction stops due to kinetic constrainsoriginating from the increased diffusion pathof either B–H species into the grain or Litowards the exterior. The results are in agree-ment with the passivation layer proposed bySchlesinger et al., who synthesized differentborohydrides in solvents in order to preventthe formation of the passivation layer [6]. Upon reactive ball milling the passivationlayer is constantly broken and LiBH4 formsalready even at room temperature [9]. Aslong as sufficient gas is supplied, no influ-ence on the pressure was detected. As long


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Arndt Remhof

SYNTHESIS OF COMPLEX HYDRIDES

as fresh surface is provided, the reaction pro-ceeds. Details of the reaction mechanismwere studied by Gremaud et al. [12]. Theyfound evidence for the heterolytic splitting ofdiborane on the alkali hydrides. The resulting[BH4]- anion is subsequently exchanged witha [H]- ion of the underlying hydride. The alkalihydride surface is ionic and polarizes theB2H6 prior splitting, assisting the necessarycharge transfer for binding of the negativelycharged [BH4]-. The synthesis of a borohydride by reactiveball milling is not limited to LiBH4. The direct,solvent free method of synthesizing borohy-drides from the respective binary hydride hasbeen successfully applied to Ca(BH4)2,Mg(BH4)2 [10] and Y(BH4)3. Figure 2 showsthe resulting XRD pattern of LiBH4,Ca(BH4)2, Mg(BH4)2 and Y(BH4)3 (from topto bottom).

References:

[1] Züttel A, Borgschulte A and Orimo S I2007 Scr. Mater. 56 823. [2] Stock A, Sütterlin W and Kurzen F 1935 Z.Anorg. Allg. Chem. 225 225[3] Stock A and Laudenklos H 1936 Z. Anorg.Allg. Chem. 228 178[4] Kasper J S, McCarty L V and Newkirk A E1949 J. Am. Chem. Soc. 71 2583[5] Schlesinger H I and Brown H C 1940 J.Am. Chem. Soc. 75 3429

[6] Schlesinger H I, Brown H C, Abraham B,et al., 1953 J. Am. Chem. Soc. 75 186;Schlesinger H I, Brown H C, and Hyde E K1953 J. Am. Chem. Soc. 75 20 [7] Friedrichs O, Borgschulte A, Kato S, et al.,2009 Chemistry Eur. J. 15 5531[8] Friedrichs O, Kim J W,, Remhof A, et al.,2010 Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 12, 4600.[9] Friedrichs O, Remhof A, Borgschulte A, etal., A 2010 Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.1210919[10] Gremaud R, Borgschulte A, FriedrichsO,and Züttel A 2011 J. Phys. Chem. C 1152489

Contact:

Dr. Arndt RemhofEmpaHydrogen and EnergyÜberlandstrasse 129CH-8600 Dübendorf

Phone: +41 58 765 4369Fax +41 58 765 4022e-mail: [email protected]: www.empa.ch/h2e


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Fig. 2: X-ray diffraction pattern of the prod-ucts achieved by reactive ball milling of LiH,CaH2, MgH2 and YH3 (from top to bottom) ina mixed B2H6/H2 atmosphere. The mainproduct is the respective borohydride, theeduct is the only detectable solid contami-nant.

Since 1997, the Institute of energy andelectrical systems (IESE) of the Universityof Applied Sciences of WesternSwitzerland (HES-SO/HEIG-VD) has devel-oped various FC boats. These were devel-oped to test this technology, to enrich itscourses with new technics, as well as tocreate practical applications for the stu-dents. Studies and tests are showing thatfresh water FC applications are nice andpracticable solutions for navigation. Themain advantages are the protection of ourdrinkable water resources, the noiseless-ness and respect of wildlife.

Legislations on pollution are becoming morerestrictive for lakes and fresh water. FC tech-nology is a solution to replace “thermal”motors, often using gasoline for the smallunits. With a better efficiency, zero emissionand almost zero noise, FC boats are a goodway to protect efficiently the drinkable freshwater resources and to get a maximum ofpleasure on motorized navigation. After earlydevelopments of a few small “funny-boats”,IESE developed and has been operating for10 years its third generation boat, the“Hydroxy3000” (Fig.3), prefiguring the motor-ized boat of the future for family leisure onlakes and channels. This boat, intended for 7passengers, sails at a speed of 13 km/h andis used as floating laboratory.

This vessel is equipped with industrial pre-serial FCs and allows tests and results underreal constraint conditions. The boat isequipped with solar panels and batterybuffers, allowing different tests settings,included hybrid solar-hydrogen configuration.The “Hydroxy” experience shows that gaso-line engines, frequently used on lakes, maybe replaced without major problems by lowtemperature FCs. Such systems have provengood behaviours on boats. The limitation maybe the use of compressed hydrogen, what is,so far, the most common solution for storage.The pressure, the size and the number ofbottles that may take place on the boat limitits autonomy. Utilisation is limited by theaccess of Hydrogen in the ports. The project“H2Ports” sized the needed infrastructure forthe harbors, regarding the penetration of FCsin the field of navigation. This solution wouldneed, as well as for cars, to develop feedinginfrastructures in the ports. However, portswould have the advantage of needing onlytwo dozen stations for Switzerland, com-pared to approximately 4’000 road stationsfor cars. Another field of exploration is the FC as APUor/and range extender for boats. A world firstAtlantic crossing of a sailboat with a 300 WPEMFC as APU was realized in 2002 duringthe “course du Rhum”. Then a 300 W FC wasdeveloped as a “range extender” for smallfishing boats (Fig.1).

Fig. 2: Hy-Boat; FC system provided with formicacid

Jean-François

Affolter


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HYDROGEN FOR NAVIGATION

Fig. 1: FC APU usedas “range extender”for small fishermen’sboats

This improved the range of use from 2 to 6hours of sailing, with only 200 grams ofhydrogen.An ongoing project is testing a solution tofeed a 2 kW PEMFC system with formic acidon the Hy-Boat “Explorer” (Fig.2). A liter of this liquid contains 53 grams of H2,which presents a real interest in terms ofmaking storage and manipulation easier. Areactor, based on an adapted catalyst devel-oped by prof. G. Laurenczy at the EPFL,

releases continuously the amount of H2needed for the stack. This solution over-comes the H2 gaseous limitations, gives asafer and more convenient image to the userand could be a very promising solution. The“Hy-Boat” project is a collaboration betweenthe EPFL, the company GRANIT and theHEIG-VD. The project, as well as some of theothers mentioned, is done with the support ofthe Federal Office of Energy.

Contact:

Prof. Jean-François AffolterHES-SO / HEIG-VDDept. TINRoute de Cheseaux 1CH-1401 Yverdon, Switzerland

Phone: (+41) (24) 55 76 306e-mail: [email protected]: http://iese.heig-vd.ch/hydroxy

Fig. 3: Hydroxy3000;floating laboratory forFC testing


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In a 3-year European demonstration proj-ect a total number of 19 market-ready fuelcell systems for uninterruptible powersupply are tested in laboratory and fieldtrials across the EU. The units shoulddemonstrate a level of technical perform-ance that meets customer requirementsand qualifies them for market entry. 8 ofthese systems are installed at selectedend user sites in Switzerland for telecom-munications and the security networkPolycom.

Lucerne University of Applied Sciences andArts is one of 10 European partners who areengaged in the project FITUP that coversFuel cell field test demonstration of economicand environmental viability for portable gen-erators, backup and UPS power systemapplications. In the project a number of 13FC-systems of two different suppliers aretested in the field. 8 of these systems areinstalled in Switzerland, among them two out-door systems and one system in the moun-tains at an altitude over 2200 m. The varietyof sites ensures experiences under varioussurrounding conditions.

The power range of the systems is between 1and 6 kW. Hydrogen is supplied by 50 l pres-sure cylinders with 200 bar which are placedin outdoor cabinets. The hydrogen storagesprovide an autonomy time of 10 to 18 hoursfor telecommunications and up to 72 hoursfor the security network installations. The department Lucerne School ofEngineering and Architecture is assignedwith the testing activities in Switzerland. Atesting concept was developed within theconsortium and the performance of the testsfollow common testing protocols. All tests aredone remotely every month. The test data areanalysed continuously in terms of start-upbehaviour, operational stability and reliability.

The project is funded more than 50% by theFCH-JU (Fuel cell and Hydrogen JointUndertaking) and continues until end of 2013.

Fig. 2: Hydrogen cabinet with antenna

Projektpartner:

BZ-USV-Hersteller: Electro Power Systems,Italien; FutureE, DeutschlandBZ-USV-Anwender: Swisscom AG, Schweiz;Kantonalpolizei Nidwalden, Schweiz; WIND, ItalienForschungsinstitute: Hochschule Luzern -Technik & Architektur, Schweiz;Environment Park, Italien; ICHET (International Centre for HydrogenEnergy Technologies), Türkei; JRC - JointResearch Centre, NiederlandePrüfstelle: TÜV SÜD, Deutschland

Ulrike Trachte

HYDROGEN REPORT


Contact:

Dipl.- Ing. Ulrike TrachteHochschule Luzern – Technik & ArchitekturCC Thermische Energiesysteme & Verfahrenstechnik TEVTTechnikumstrasse 21CH-6048 Horw

Phone: +41 41 3493 249, Fax +41 41 3493 960e-mail: [email protected]: www.hslu.ch/technik-architektur

Fig. 1: End user sitein Grisons

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FITUP – FUEL CELL SYSTEMS FOR BACKUP POWER APPLICATIONS


PEM FUEL CELL SYSTEMS

Since 2002 to nowdays the core competenceof the R&D Fuel Cells department of MES SAis the development, production and commer-cialization of PEM Fuel Cell Systems fromlow up to medium nominal power output(0.1 - 3 kW) suitable for portable, light mobileand UPS applications.

To cover both the power range and the rele-vant application needs MES realized two dif-ferent kind of PEMFC Systems: one basedon a 63 cm2 cell active area ( 500 W, 1 kWand 1.5 kW FC stacks ), the second based on32 cm2 cell active area (100 W and 250 W FCstacks).The main advantages of both systems is theirsimplicity, which means:

- no humidification of the reactant gases(no complex humidifiers)- close to ambient pressure in the cathode(no heavy air compressor)- forced air cooling (no pumps and heatexchanger)- a modular layout (wide power range withthe same cell design)- possibility to replace the single damagedcell

and their light weight due to:

- graphite based cell component- simplified stack design - reduced balance of plant

Fig. 1: Single cell components and 1 kW FCSystem

By means of all these features MES hasreached a high net efficiency (up to 50%respect to the hydrogen LHV), stack specificpower and power density (up to 480W/kg,340 W/lt).All Fuel Cell Systems are designed by MESas a complete solution with the devotedmicroprocessor that controls and managesall the auxiliaries ( mainly blowers, valves anda small pump) and a powerful PC interfacethat can be used for monitoring, managementand diagnostic purposes. MES R&D Fuel Cell department is involved

in different national scientific projects collab-orating with Swiss important research insti-tutes for the development of its own technol-ogy and for application validations.

One of the projects started in collaborationwith Paul Scherrer Institute in the frameworkof the PEF-CH network and it was support-ed by the BFE. The objective of this projectis to investigate MEA ageing and degrada-tion phenomena due to transient conditions.The study was carried out by means of themost innovative diagnostic techniques as:

- segmented microstructured flow fieldapproach for submillimeter resolved localcurrent measurements in channel and landareas- transient investigations in along the chan-nel segmented cells- neutron radiography combined with elec-trochemical transient techniques

The project ended in December 2011 and itsextent is still under discussion.

Fig. 2, 3: Single cellneutron radiographyand current densitydistribution measure-ment

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Gianmario Picciotti

The other important national project is a KTIproject named BiPCaNP in collaboration withthe department ICIMSI ( SUPSI ) and TIM-CAL. The main project goal is to develop botha further optimized material and an originalprocess for an easier, safer and cost effectivemanufacturing of a new graphite/polymercomposite BPP for PEM-FC. Thanks to thisstudy many improvements has been reachedas:

- development of a reliable MolecularDynamics procedure for the investigation ofmaterial components interactions- a lower through plane electrical resistivityand higher thermal conductivity BPP at thesame mechanical resistance - the development of a new safer and simpleproduction process - the development of a construction tech-nique which allows to further increase theBPP performance

Since 2011 MES is a member of the JTI NEWIndustrialGroup and it is currently involved aspartner in two important European demon-stration projects inside the Seventh frame-work programme (JTI-FCH):

The first one is named MobyPost (Mobilitywith Hydrogen for Postal Deliveryhttp://mobypost-project.eu/).It was finally approved in February 2011. Main Partner : La Poste

MobyPost is a European project aimed atdeveloping a sustainable mobility concept bydelivering a solar-to-wheel solution.The firstcore element of this environmentally friendlyand novel project is the development of tenelectric vehicles which will be powered byhydrogen fuel cells, conceived and designedfor post delivery use. Besides, the development of two hydrogenproduction and refuelling stations is a secondcore component of MobyPost. These will bebuilt in the French region Franche-Comté,

where photovoltaic (PV) generators will beinstalled on the roofs of two buildings ow nedby project partner La Poste and dedicated topostal services. The PV generators allow forthe production of hydrogen through electroly-sis. Hydrogen is stored on site in low pressuretanks where it is availa ble for refuelling thecanysters of the electric vehicles, the latterbeing powered by an embedded fuel cell pro-ducing electricity that di rectly feeds the elec-tric motors. The project develops and tests under realconditions two fleets of five vehicles for postalmail delivery. Consortium partner La Postewill run the field tests in close coordinationwith the other project partners involved.

The second one is named FCpoweredRBS(Demonstration project for Power Supply inTelecom Stations through FC and H2 tech-nology, http://fcpoweredrbs.eu/). It was finally approved in January 2012. MainPartner: ERICSSON

The project target is the demonstration ofFuel Cell and Hydrogen market readiness bytesting on-field a significant number of pow-ered Radio Base Stations. While Telecomapplication are widely seen as an early mar-ket for FC a wide demonstration of their per-formances under real operating conditions isfundamental to assess their potential as wellas to determine their real strength.The project creates an integrated approachto the design of high energy efficient RadioBase Stations and will test different FC solu-tions by European and World Manufacturers.Alternative fuelling solutions as hydrogen,methanol or natural gas will also be testedaiming to address the different range of appli-cation of each solution.While the FCpoweredRBS solution couldalready improves the energy performance ofRBS and reduces their carbon footprint, theproposed set-up also aims to demonstrate asignificant advantage in terms of Total Cost ofOwnership (TCO). Actually, for specific appli-cations the higher efficiency and the integrat-ed use of local renewable energy sourcesshould also lead to cost savings which couldmake this application interesting right now.MES R&D FC department is also focused onvarious application fields and relative earlymarket in collaboration with industries andresearch centers. The main are: power sup-ply for remote houses, UPS for telecom,

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242

Fig. 3: All atoms (AA)MD simulations ofwater droplets on agraphite surface

portable generator, battery charger, APU forbus and UAV.

The closest to the market and to a possiblereal industrialization is surely the portableand battery charger application, but the mostpeculiar and strategical one is the UAV(Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) application. A very close collaboration with AerospaceDepartment of Politecnico of Turin has beencarried out for about two years, and it’s stillrunning, for the realization of a Multi-sourceUAV system platform based on high efficien-cy power management and MES FCTechnology.

The design targets for this special aircraftare:

- long endurance platform (more than 2 hours in operative conditions)- high payload for on board hardware instru-mentations- UAV or video-control ready- Multi-source on board power generator (fuel cell, battery, wing photovoltaic liner inthe future)- real time data transmission for telemetryand on board system control

Contact:

Gianmario Picciotti and Roberto BianchiMES R&D Fuel CellsVia Cantonale, 56855 Stabio

Phone: +41 91 641 51 11Fax: +41 91 641 51 40e-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

Fig. 4, 5: Multi-sourceUAV developed byPolitecnico of Turinpowered by MES 250W FC system


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PostBus is the first company inSwitzerland to use fuel cell technology inpublic transport. Since the end of 2011five fuel cell buses are operating in andaround Brugg in the Swiss canton ofAargau. They convert hydrogen fuel intoelectrical driving energy. Consequentlythe electrically operated postbuses runvery quietly. The ejected emission con-sists solely of water vapour. PostBusexpects to save at least 2,000 tons of CO2during the five year trial phase.

PostBus operates a fleet of over 2,100 vehi-cles with different categories of buses. 39 mil-lion litres of diesel are needed to transportover 121 million passengers each year.Since December 2011 five fuel cell postbusesare operating in the greater Burgg area. It isa ideal testing ground in terms of topographyand routes. The aim is to show independencefrom fossil fuels and the use of fuel cell busesin public transport.

The fuel cell hybrid bus has most of the tech-nology on the roof. The tanks have a 35kghydrogen capacity providing a 400km range.The lithium ion battery is used as a buffer forthe electricity from the fuel cells and the elec-tricity made by recuperation. The two wheelhub motors allow a very quiet and efficientperformance.

The fuelling station produces hydrogen fromwater. The electrolyser (60nm3/h) splits waterinto hydrogen and oxygen using certifiedgreen energy. The hydrogen is stored in high-pressure tanks. Additionally hydrogen isavailable in trailers to secure a study supply.This hydrogen is a by-product from the chem-ical industry.

Fig. 2: Fueling the Postauto with hydrogen


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Fig. 1: Project part-ners in front of thePost-auto in Brugg(AG)

Nikoletta Seraidou

262

PUBLIC TRANSPORT WITH FUEL CELL DRIVE


The garage was converted to the hydrogenguidelines. The roof is open and providedwith a rain cover. Holes in the gates supportthe natural ventilation. A hydrogen sensor isinstalled above each parking spot.The project is only possible as a result offinancial support from public institutions andin cooperation with important partners fromindustry and research. Contributors to theproject include:

Contact:

Nikoletta Seraidou PA-LPostAuto Schweiz AGBelpstrasse 37CH-3030 Bern

Phone: +41 58 338 03 06e-mail: [email protected]: www.postauto.ch

- PostBus Switzerland Ltd- Swiss Post- The European Union: Clean Hydrogen In European Cities - Project - Swisslos Fund of the Canton Aargau- Swiss Federal Office of Energy- Empa- Daimler Buses: EvoBus GmbH Mannheim and EvoBus (Switzerland) Ltd- Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen- IBB Holding Ltd, Brugg- Carbagas Ltd, Gümligen

Fig. 3: HydrogenFilling Station

Fig. 4: Stefan Oberholzer in front of hydrogen Postauto

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The worldwide growing demand for ener-gy may be satisfied by the utilization ofrenewable energy sources such as solarand wind energy. A particular challengeassociated with renewable energies con-cerns their storage. This problem is partic-ularly challenging when aiming at replac-ing fossil fuels used in automotive vehi-cles. Hydrogen could be the ideal chemi-cal energy storage molecule, if stored athigh gravimetric and volumetric densities.Solid-state hydrogen storage has beenextensively investigated - but the ultimatesolution still awaits discovery.

Abundant renewable hydrogen will also facil-itate other aspects of renewable energy, e.g.facilitating CO2 and biomass transforma-tions. Thus, any realistic and practical solu-tion to develop a sustainable energy econo-my must be diverse—managing energy con-version, storage and transport at all scales.The HyTech-PECHouse2 project is focusedon the realization of breakthroughs andadvancing innovative technologies in the fieldof sustainable H2 utilization. These develop-ments will have a large impact on future H2energy systems. To maximize the efficacy ofthe efforts involved, both the disciplines ofsolar H2 production and H2 storage areengaged and pursued thanks to pioneeringapproaches.

The safe, energy efficient and high densitystorage of H2 will be advanced: encouragingcomplex metal hydride storage materials arecurrently investigated both by understandingthe thermodynamics of these materials andseeking for formulations liquid at room tem-perature.The increase in H2 production knowledge isalso of paramount importance. The goal ofinvestigating the most promising technolo-gies leads to the focus on two complementaryroutes: photoelectrochemical (PEC) and ther-mochemical (TC) water splitting. Given thestrong connection between H2 productionand storage, a strong Swiss hydrogen con-sortium should arise from the synergisticalliances between the partners, thus provid-ing the maximum chance for success in con-vincingly advancing towards a sustainablehydrogen economy.In addition to advancing on the scientific front,the technologies used in the project will becompared to other possible routes for the pro-duction and storage of H2 at different scales,in order to define the future targets of fundingagencies and, more importantly, direct theindustrial development of sustainable H2technologies.

HYTECH-PECHOUSE2 PROJECT

Paul Dyson

28 2


HYDROGEN REPORT

Fig. 1:Hydrogen Cycle

Partner (alphabetical order) Partner (alphabetical order)

EMPA-H2E

Section of Hydrogen and Energy(Prof. Andreas Züttel)

H2E has a technological expertise ranging from hydro-gen sorption in metals, hydrogen in metallic nanoclus-ters, hydrogen adsorption on carbonous nanostructures,and electro-chemical hydrogen sorption in intermetalliccompounds to p-element complex hydrides. H2E hasnotably developed instruments for the specific investiga-tion of hydrides and has demonstrated the viability ofseveral solid hydrogen storage systems

EPFL-CENEnergy Center(Prof. Hans Björn Püttgen)

The Energy Center aims at coordinating and promotingstate-of-the-art research activities related to energy andmobility at EPFL laboratories, many of which arerenowned world-wide both for evolutionary as well asfor disruptive R&D.

EPFL-LCOMLaboratory of Organometallicand Medicinal Chemistry(Prof. Paul Dyson, Prof. GaborLaurenczy)

LCOM has various activities including the designand development of new catalysis and ionic liquidswith applications in energy-related research.

EPFL-LPILaboratory for Photonics andInterfaces(Prof. Michael Grätzel)

LPI pioneered research on energy and electron transferreactions in mesoscopic materials, as well as on theiroptoelectronic applications. Prof. Michael Grätzelnotably discovered a new type of solar cell based ondye- sensitized mesoscopic oxide particles, pioneeredthe use of nanomaterials in lithium ion batteries andrealized major advances in the use of iron oxide forphotoelectrochemical hydrogen production.

EPFL-LSCILaboratory of InorganicSynthesis and Catalysis(Prof. Xile Hu)

LSCI develops catalysts made of earth-abundantelements for chemical transformations pertinentto synthesis, energy, and sustainability. RecentlyLSCI discovers a new class of catalysts forhydrogen production via water reduction.

PSI-LSELaboratory for Energy andEnvironment(Prof. Jeroen A. van Bokhoven)

LSE has expertise in synthesis of oxides of controlledsize, shape and atom composition as well as in devel-oping characterization methods based on XES andXAS to determine the electronical and geometricalstructure of inorganic materials used as heterogeneouscatalyst.

PSI-STLSolar Technology Laboratory(Prof. A. Steinfeld, Dr. AntonMeier)

STL develops innovative technology solutions thatare required for transforming, at an industrial scale,solar energy into chemical fuels with thermochemi-cal processes. The latter have the potential ofachieving higher conversion efficiencies than othersolar-to-fuel processes.

ZHAW-ICPInstitute of ComputationalPhysics(Dr. Jürgen Schumacher)

ICP develops and applies numerical methods to modelthe behavior of coupled physical and chemical systemsand processes. These simulations have been success-fully used in the product development of systems anddevices in the fields of sensors and actuators, fuelcells, micro- fluidics, electrochemical and electromag-netic systems, organic electronics and photovoltaics.

The laboratories involved in the project are:

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ResultsThe photoelectrochemical solar hydrogenproduction & catalysis task has focused onthe development of electrocatalysts for hydro-gen production from water.In addition to the water oxidation catalysts,hydrogen evolution catalysts for PEC watersplitting will also be developed. The amor-phous molybdenum sulfide (MoS2) systemdeveloped by LSCI will serve as a startingpoint for further catalyst development.Certain transition metal ions such as Fe(II),Co(II), and Ni(II) were found to promote thecatalytic activity of molybdenum sulfide. Itwas shown that Fe, Co, and Ni ions promotethe growth of the MoS3 films, resulting in ahigh surface area and a higher catalystloading.

The mission of the Solar TechnologyLaboratory at PSI is to develop the scienceand technology that is required for transform-ing, at an industrial scale, solar energy intochemical fuels with a thermochemicalprocess that effects this conversion morecompetitively than any other solar-to-fuelprocess. In particular, the thermodynamicfundamentals of energy conversion areapplied in the development of novel, efficientand clean technologies for the production ofchemical energy carriers (e.g. solar H2, syn-gas, metals) using concentrated solar power.The first step currently ongoing is theresearch on heat/mass transfer in porousmedia. Effective heat/mass transfer proper-ties of complex porous media are needed forengineering design, optimization, and scale-up of thermochemical reactors and processesfor solar H2 production. A PhD thesis isaimed at designing, fabricating, and testing asmall-scale solar cavity reactor for effectingthe reduction of ZnO under vacuum pressure.A dynamic reactor model shall be formulatedbased on unsteady mass and energy conser-

vation equations coupled to reaction kinetics.The small-scale solar thermochemical vacu-um reactor is currently being fabricated, andwill be tested at PSI’s High-Flux SolarSimulator.Concerning the Hydrogen storage technolo-gies (WP2), two promising routes are beingresearched: the first focuses on liquid com-plex hydrides (EMPA) while the EPFL-LCOMis working on synthetic fuels.Liquid hydrides exhibit promising propertiesrequired for hydrogen storage, such as highgravimetric density. However, various chal-lenges such as slow kinetics have to be over-come before technical application of complexhydrides. The focus of this project in 2012was laid on a general study of potential com-plex hydrides aiming at defining the specificcompounds to be further investigated. Thisincludes a review of stability (enthalpy) of for-mation, melting point and hydrogen content oftransition metal alanates and borohydrides,the empirical model describing the hydrogendensity, stability, and melting temperature,and the anticipation of promising liquid com-plex hydrides. An empirical correlation basedon vibrational spectroscopy to calculate thestability and melting point of borohydrideswas established. In the future, the focus willbe translated on the investigation of Al(BH4)3,Ti(BH4)3 and V(BH4)3 as promising liquidborohydrides during the remaining time of theproject.

Fig. 3: Energy Band Diagram PEC WatersplittlingDemonstration

In response to the needs to develop predic-tive models of the performance of the materi-als used in the project and to accuratelyassess the technological and economic feasi-bility of the H2 production and storage sys-tems currently under development, sometasks are dedicated to energy modeling andassessment. Concerning the assessmentpart, the Energy Center is currently working


Fig. 2: Mo Sulfidefilm

2

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HYDROGEN REPORT

on developing methods to evaluate efficiencyversus delivery-cost ratio, in order to estab-lish this relation at different production scalesand therefore help find the optimum technol-ogy for each application.Additionally, much progress has been madein the energy modeling tasks. This program isdedicated to the fundamental modeling ofsystems for solar hydrogen production com-bining both numerical and experimentalapproaches. The ZHAW-ICP is currentlydeveloping a prototype simulator for watersplitting PEC cells in collaboration with EPFL-LPI. The mathematical model will combine ananalysis of the optics in the cell with a modelfor the transport of electrons in the meso-porous films and ions in the electrolyte andtheir recombination.

Main achievementsSome publications have been already beenpublished in leading international journalsfrom the various laboratories involved, andthe results obtained during the first part of thisproject will soon be disseminated in confer-ences and proceedings. At least one patent isin preparation (details will be disclosed in thenext report).

References:

A. Borgschulte, R. Gremaud, O. Friedrichs, A.Remhof, A. Züttel: Complex Hydrides in„Hydrogen Energy“ edited by Detlef Stolten,Wiley-VCH, Heidelberg (2010)

S. Haussener, P. Coray, W. Lipinski, P. Wyss,A. Steinfeld: Tomography-based heat andmass transfer characterization of reticu-late porous ceramics for high-temperatureprocessing, ASME J. Heat Transfer 132,023305-1-9, (2010).

S. Haussener, W. Lipinski, P. Wyss, A.Steinfeld: Tomography-based analysis ofradiative transfer in reacting packed bedsundergoing a solid-gas thermochemicaltransformation, ASME J. Heat Transfer132, 061201-1-7, (2010).

H. Vrubel and X.L. Hu: Molybdenum borideand carbide catalyze hydrogen evolutionin both acidic and basic solutions.Angewandte Chemie, International Edition,51, 12703-12706 (2012)

S. Haussener, A. Steinfeld: Effective heatand mass transport properties ofanisotropic porous ceria for solar thermo-chemical fuel generation, Materials 5, 192-209, (2012).

S. Haussener, I. Jerjen, P. Wyss, A. Steinfeld:Tomography-based determination ofeffective transport properties for reactingporous media, J. Solar Energy Eng. 134,012601-1/, (2012).

A. Paracchino, N. Mathews, T. Hisatomi, M.Stefik, S. D. Tilley, M. Grätzel, UltrathinFilms on Copper(I) Oxide Water SplittingPhotocathodes: a Study on Performanceand Stability. Energy & Environmental Science. DOI: 10.1039/C2EE22063F (2012)

Contact:

Prof. Paul J. DYSONEcole polytechnique fédérale de LausanneInstitut des sciences et ingénierie chimiques1015 Lausanne

Phone: +41 (0)21 693 98 54Fax: +41 (0)21 693 97 80e-mail: [email protected]: www.epfl.ch


2

FUEL CELL RESEARCH AT PSI

Fig. 1: 25 kW hydro-gen/oxygen fuel cellsystem jointly devel-oped by PSI andBCP

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HYDROGEN REPORT

Fuel cell research at PSI, establishedmore than 20 years ago, is based on twopillars. On the one hand fundamentalsand materials are investigated and devel-oped, with intense utilization of PSI’slarge-scale facilities such as the SwissLight Source (SLS) and the neutron trans-mission radiography (NEUTRA) station atthe at the spallation source SINQ. On theother hand the ElectrochemistryLaboratory supports industrial partners intheir development of new technologies,e.g., fuel cell systems for mobile applica-tions.

In the past four years PSI and Belenos CleanPower Ltd have collaborated in the develop-ment of hydrogen/oxygen fuel cell systemsfor sustainable mobility. In 2011 an importantmilestone was reached with the developmentof the first generation of systems for a vehicle(see Figure 1).

In January 2011 this joint development ofBCP and PSI was awarded the “Watt d’Or”award of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy.The 25 kW fuel cell system allows for impres-sive efficiencies for the conversion of hydro-gen to DC power of up to almost 70%. Theefficiency (LHV) versus power characteristicsof the system are shown for stack and sys-tem in Figure 2.

The reaction product of fuel cells fueled withhydrogen is pure water. At the operating tem-peratures below 100 °C, this product water ispartly liquid and can therefore interfere withthe gas transport in the channels and themicro-porous structures of the cell, limitingthe performance, in particular at high powerdensities. Detailed knowledge on the forma-tion and transport of the liquid water is there-fore required to optimize the structures andoperating conditions for maximum currentdensity and efficiency.

The questions of the interaction of the liquidwater in the structures of the cell are there-fore also investigated using the imaging tech-niques available at SLS and NEUTRA.Neutron radiography is a well suited methodfor imaging water because thermal neutronsare strongly scattered by the hydrogen atomsin water, but are only weakly absorbed orscattered by the structural materials general-ly used in fuel cells such as metals or carbon.The liquid water in an operating cell can thusbe imaged in-situ [1]. Figure 3 shows a neu-tron radiogram of an operating cell. Liquidwater can clearly be seen in the porous struc-tures and the gas channels, impeding thetransport of the reactants to the catalyst nearthe membrane, thus reducing performanceand efficiency. Today neutron radiographycan image structures with a minimum size ofabout 15µm at exposure times of about 10 s.

Fig. 3: Visualization of water (blue) in the gas dif-fusion layer and gas channels of an operating fuelcell using neutron radiography

In order to even better understand the inter-action of the water in the porous structures, atechnique with higher resolution is required.X-ray tomography at the SLS offers a resolu-tion of about 1 µm with exposure times on theorder of milliseconds. X-rays are similarlyabsorbed by water and carbon. Thereforethis technique allows for simultaneous imag-ing of water and the carbonaceous porousmaterials.

Felix N. Büchi

Fig. 2: Stack andSystem efficiency(LHV) of PSI/Belenos25 kW system

Gas channelGas di�usion layer

Membrane


2

In addition to taking radiographic pictures(2D images), the short exposure times alsoallow tomographic imaging (3D images),which requires the acquisition of a series of1000 to 2000 radiograms, which are thenprocessed by the tomographic algorithm toreconstruct the 3D-stucture. Such an in-situX-ray tomogram of a fuel cell can be obtainedin 10 to 20 s.

However, the high resolution of this technolo-gy also imposes severe experimental con-straints. The active area of the imaged cellneeds to be as small as few tens of squaremillimeters, therefore special cell develop-ments are necessary [2]. Furthermore, theinteraction of the X-rays with the polymericcomponents of the cell call for careful consid-eration of the radiation damage induced bythe exposure to the high intensity X-raybeam.

Figure 4 shows the tomographic image of thecathode channel of a small cell during opera-tion. The different phases are clearly visible,including the liquid water in the channel andin the porous gas diffusion layer (GDL).Phase segmentation allows for virtual disas-sembly. After removing the channel and theGDL, the path of the water feeding thedroplet can be identified.

Fig. 4: Visualization of water (blue) in the and gasdiffusion layer and gas channels of an operatingfuel cell using X-ray tomography

Together with materials research in the areaof membranes and catalysts over the past 20years, fuel cell research at PSI has acquiredthe competence to successfully perform proj-ects such as the awarded collaboration withBelenos.

References:

[1] P. Boillat, G. Frei, E. H. Lehmann, G. G.Scherer, and A. Wokaun, Electrochemicaland Solid-State Letters, 13, B25-B27(2010)

[2] J. Eller, T. Rosen, F. Marone, M.Stampanoni, A. Wokaun and F. N. Büchi,J. Electrochem. Soc., 158, B963 (2011).

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Contact:

Dr. Felix N. BüchiElectrochemistry LaboratoryPaul Scherrer InstitutCH-5232 Villigen PSI

Phone: +41 56 310 24 11 . Fax: +41 56 310 44 15e-mail: [email protected]:http://ecl.web.psi.ch/index.html

CatalystGas di!usion-

layer


2

The military engineering agency for pio-neer and troop equipment (WTD 51) is partof the division of the federal office for mil-itary technology and procurement. It islocated in Koblenz and was established in1958. The WTD 51 is the technology cen-ter serving the pioneer and the troopequipment of the German Federal ArmedForces. The center covers technical tasksin the areas of hydraulics, mobile electri-cal power supply, compressed gases andair condition technology and in particulartests of crossing equipment. Since 2007the task spectrum of the WTD 51 coversalso the energy supply of a field camppowered by alternative energies.

WTD 51 developed an “Energy Camp” withinscarcely five years. This camp demonstratesthe self-sufficient power supply of a militaryfield camp. The motivation for this energycamp is the large power requirement of thefield camps in Afghanistan, in the context ofthe NATO deployment ISAF. Today’s energysupply for the field camps is based on a sin-gle-fuel-concept without combined heat andpower concept. In order to secure the powersupply for the power generation and heat-ing/cooling purposes, at least one tankertruck with fuel is needed per day. This repre-sents a high logistic expenditure and a sub-stantial risk for the truck drivers.

In order to increase the energy efficiency, in2007 engineers of WTD 51 were given thetask to develop an energy-self-sufficient con-cept, which gets along without fossil fuels.Already in 2010, in a study accomplished forthe WTD, the Fraunhofer Society determinedtogether with several institutes 51:„Renewable energies can make a partiallysignificant contribution for the supply of fieldcamps and help thus to lower the operationcosts of the camp. […]“

In the meantime, the Energy Camp coversdifferent demonstration type photovoltaic,wind force as well as solar thermal energyplants. All plants are laid out to fit into com-pact 20’ ISO containers, which can be quicklyset up at the place of use.

For the storage of the renewably producedenergy the hydrogen technology is appliedamong other solutions. A PEM type “Hogen”electrolyzer as well as different storage sys-tems with storage pressure up to 450 barhave been installed. The re-electrification isbased on a PEM fuel cell. An integration proj-ect to fit an FC-system including all supplyand safety devices into a 20-foot container isongoing.

In co-operation with different research insti-tutes and supporting companies, numeroussystem components could already be pro-cured and tested extensively. In addition,safety-relevant investigations have beenaccomplished, in particular bombardmentand fire exposure to tank systems, which gofar beyond civilian requirements.

As a practical result of the last years, a 10-foot container was developed, which con-tained a total of 30 hydrogen containers ofthe type III, each with a capacity of 260 litersand a pressure of 450 bar. The tank systemshould be certified soon, which would facili-tate shipping of large hydrogen quantities onroad and rail. Approval for the air transport isplanned also.

Fig. 2: Mustang

Apart from the supply of field camps inKoblenz, other possible operational areas ofthe hydrogen technology are investigated. Anexample is the autonomous robotic vehicle“Mustang”. In close co-operation with the uni-versity Koblenz is was equipped with thermalimage camera, laser scanner and ultrasonic

AGENCY FOR PIONEER AND TROOP EQUIPMENT (WTD 51)HYDROGEN REPORT


234

Thorsten Reker

Fig. 1: 10’-Hydrogenstorage system

Hanjörg Vock

sensors. The Mustang can therefore be usedfor autonomous intelligence operations inunknown terrain. A retrofitted PEM fuel cellsystem serves as range extender, so that theoperation duration could be doubled relativeto pure battery operation. The vehicle waspresented for the first time during eCarTec2011 in Munich and equipped with the newhydrogen tank system at CeBit 2012.

Fig. 3: Tactical Generator

A further development is a tactical two kilo-watts PEM fuel cell generator (essentiallycorresponding to the Mustang system). Thegenerator has the same interfaces as a con-ventional diesel set which served as a guide-line. The fuel cell system with a mass < 45 kgcan be carried problem-free by two persons.Compared with a diesel generator, the sys-tem exhibits additionally substantial advan-tages regarding noise and thermal radiation– these are two substantial requirements.Investigation of further uses of the hydrogentechnology:

Further permissions for the transport ofhydrogen reservoirs on road, rail and in air

Standardisation of interfaces, in particulartank connections

Tank systems with higher storage pressureand respective compression stages

Investigation of further uses of the hydrogentechnology

„Militarization “of available equipment (e.g.adjustment to extreme climatic conditions,shock loads)

The results of four years basic research byWTD 51 was presented in September 2011in form of an internal exhibition for Germanmilitary personnel. Apart from a demonstra-tion of the Energy Camp, the team showedthe results of its bombardment tests as well

Contact:

Torsten RekerWehrtechnische Dienststelle 51Universitätsstr. 5DE-56070 KoblenzPhone: +49 261 400 1800Fax: +49 261 400 1745e-mail: [email protected]

Hans J. VockDiamond Lite SA.Rheineckerstr. 12CH-9425 ThalPhone: +41 71 880 0200Fax: +41 71 880 0201e-mail: [email protected]: www.diamondlite.com

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2 35

as additional developments in cooperationwith a total of 15 partners. Some of theexhibits are the result of the cooperation withcivil research institutes.

Fig. 4: Electrolyser Container

References:

Geitmann, Sven:„ Autarkes Energiecamp ander Mosel“, HZwei 04/2012, Oberkrämer,2012

A hydrogen fuelling station including on-site generation of hydrogen by electroly-sis was built by the Fraunhofer Institutefor solar energy systems ISE in Freiburg /Breisgau. The filling station features apem-electrolyser with a net generation of6 Nm³/h hydrogen, two compressors withgaseous storage at 450 bars and 950 barsas well as fast filling according to SAEJ2601 – the standard for filling of hydro-gen cars – and was built by Diamond LiteS.A. and sub contactor Air Products. Thefilling station is used as research platformand as corner stone of the future GermanH2-infrastructure.

Many experts see a change toward a climatefriendly energy supply as central challenge ofthis generation. Technologies for climatefriendly heat and power generation are avail-able on the market and provide an increasingshare of the consumed energy. But the mobil-ity sector is still mainly supplied by conven-tional energy supplies – namely petrol.Battery electric cars for climate friendly mobil-ity are commercially available but suffer fromshort ranges and long recharge times.Hydrogen powered mobility with hydrogengenerated from renewable energies can be asolution, but prior to the roll-out of the cars afueling infrastructure needs to be provided.

The Fraunhofer Institute for solar energy sys-tems ISE in Freiburg / Breisgau is addressingseveral technologies concerning regenera-tive energy production as well as storage andis active in the business segments photo-voltaics, energy-efficient building, appliedoptics and functional surfaces, solar thermaltechnology, renewable power supply andhydrogen technology (fuel cells, pem-elec-trolysis, redox flow batteries, reforming, bio-mass gasification and more).

As part of the business segment hydrogentechnology the filling stations was built withpartial funding and support by the Ministry forthe environment, Climate Protection and theEnergy Sector Baden-Württemberg and thenational innovation program hydrogen andfuel cell technology. It features a photovoltaicpower production, on-site-generation byPEM-electrolysis with a net generation of6 Nm³/h hydrogen, two compressors withgaseous storage at 450 bars and 950 bars(see fig. 2 for schematic diagram) as well asa fast filling procedure according to SAEJ2601 – the standard for filling of hydrogencars. The filling station was built by DiamondLite S.A. and sub contactor Air Products. Itwas opened to the public in March 2012 andhas been fuelling since then.

Fig. 2: simplified schematic diagram of the fillingstation

Tried, tested and safe – the technology togenerate true green hydrogen in detail

Until now this combination of PEM electroly-sis and high-pressure fuelling designed as apublic solar driven filling station has not beenavailable in Germany. Both are technologiesthat are of crucial importance for hydrogenproduction using renewable energies andeveryday practical use. The Hogen® PEMelectrolyzer (PEM = Proton ExchangeMembrane) used in this station is made byProton Onsite. Hydrogen is generated usingelectricity from photovoltaic cells. The Hogendelivers up to 6 cubic meters of high-purityhydrogen per hour. The high purity of thehydrogen of 99.9995% is a crucial prerequi-site for its use in automotive fuel cells.Problematic residual components such asCO, sulfur compounds and residual hydro-carbons which are typical in natural gas

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Christopher Vogel-

stätter

H2 FUELLING STATION AT THE FRAUNHOFER ISE –RESEARCH PLATFORM AND H2 INFRASTRUCTURE CORNER STONE

Fig. 1: Hydrogen fil-ling station includinga fuel cell electricvehicle

2

Hansjörg Vock

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Contact:

Christopher VoglstätterDivision Energy TechnologyFraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISEHeidenhofstraße 2, 79110 Freiburg, GermanyPhone: +49 (0) 761/4588-5357 Fax: +49 (0) 761/4588-9357 e-mail: [email protected]: www.ise.fraunhofer.de / www.h2move.de

Hans J. VockDiamond Lite SA.Rheineckerstr. 12CH-9425 ThalPhone: +41 71 880 0200Fax: +41 71 880 0201e-mail: [email protected]: www.diamondlite.com

reformer based hydrogen are not present inelectrolysis hydrogen due to the principle ofthe process.

The PEM process on the other hand does notrequire elaborate and cost extensive cleanupprocess steps as needed in alkaline basedelectrolyzers, where residual oxygen andalkaline has to be removed to reach highpurity hydrogen.

Another advantage of PEM technology is thewide load range from 0 to 100%. This allowstransforming the very smallest amounts ofelectricity from the photovoltaic plant intohydrogen. Even with strongly fluctuating

renewable power source – for example, dur-ing changeable weather – the equipmentworks extremely effectively and efficiently.The efficiency of the facility is also increasedby the fact that a pressure of 30 bar is gener-ated during electrolysis without mechanicalcompression, which improves the efficiencyof the subsequent compression and storage.The Hogen electrolyzer also sets new stan-dards when it comes to safety: The installa-tion works with differential pressure. Thismeans oxygen can never get to the hydrogenside even in the event of electricity loss.

2

Hydrogen as a chemical energy carrier isfinally gaining momentum: While for along time, mobility was the main driver forthe interest in hydrogen, the increasedpenetration of renewable energy genera-tion is responsible for increased interestin this pathway. In the future, energy mar-kets converge. Hydrogen couples elec-tricity, gas and fuel markets serving thepurposes of active demand, long-termenergy storage and renewable fuel. EMPApursues these transitions with the REN-ERG2 and FutureMobility Projects.

As Fuel Cells have taken big steps towardsmaturity in the past 5 years, HydrogenGeneration and Infrastructure become thecenter of interest in the near future. Massivegrowth of renewable generation in Germanychanges the energy landscape. As genera-tion control is gradually slipping, demandcontrol is gaining importance. Power-to-Gaseffectively gives hydrogen generation thenecessary boost of interest to resolve theremaining piece of the puzzle.

As political discussion focusses on efficiency,it might seem controversial to propose hydro-gen as an efficient solution. But many rep-utable companies agree: in a future energysystem with high renewable energy fraction,hydrogen is the only technology that can offera fix to the volatility and storage problem [1-3]. Technologists focus on efficiency, econo-mists focus on effectiveness.

Gradually it is realized, that battery electricvehicles are not the golden bullet solutioneverybody hoped for: range remains theAchilles heel, vehicle-to-grid has marginaleffect for storage of excess energy and whilefast charging can reduce the range chal-lenge, it is detrimental from a grid stabilitypoint of view. In the industry estimate, fuelcells are now perceived a more attractivesolution than pure BEV’s[4]. Pure Hydrogenvehicles or H-CNG fueled cars do not sufferthose limitations.

Hydrogen therefore is maturing from a fuel toa more holistic solution integrating multiplefunctionalities. The EMPA projectFutureMobility and RENERG2 – a consortiumproject of the ETH-domain and ZHAW cur-rently in planning - follow this approach cov-ering all these aspects.

References:

[1] Pieper, C. and H. Rubel, ElectricityStorage: Making Large-Scale Adoption ofWind and Solar Energies a Reality, inFocus Report2010, Boston ConsultingGroup: Boston.

[2] DENA, Analyse der Notwendigkeit desAusbaus von Pumpspeicherwerken undanderen Stromspeichern zur Integrationder erneuerbaren Energien, 2010,Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (dena):Berlin.

[3] Welter, P., Herr Altmaier, so geht’s!Photon hat eine Vollversorgung mitSonne und Wind bis 2030 durchgerech-net - ein Handlungsleitfaden. Photon,2012. October.

[4] KPMG, KPMG’s Global AutomotiveExecutive Survey 2013 - Managing amultidimensional business model, 2013,KPMG.

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HYDROGEN AS CENTRE PIECE IN POWER-TO-GAS

Challenge Opportunity

excess energy with high RE penetration

orders of magnitude higher energy storage capacity than any other technology

stability in electricitygrids

active demand capable decoupling of productionand use

distribution grid fortification

scalability decentralized, centralized

CO2 regulationin mobility

artificial, renewable energy carrier

range anxiety ine-mobility

fast fueling and same range

2

Michael Bielmann

Fig. 1: Schematic representation of the FutureFuel project. The Fuel Hub will serve all novel forms ofmobility like battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, CNG and H-CNG vehicles in one single location.

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2

Contact:

Dr. Michael BielmannHydrogen and EnergyEMPA Materials Science and TechnologyÜberlandstrasse 129CH-8600 Dübendorf

Tel. +41 58 765 43 42 Fax +41 58 765 40 20e-mail: [email protected]


HYDROGEN REPORT

ARTIPHYCTION - Fully artificial photo-electro-chemical device for low temperature hydrogen

Building on the pioneering work performed in a FETproject based on natural enzymes (www.solhy-dromics.org) and the convergence of the work of thephysics, materials scientists, chemical engineersand chemists involved in the project, an artificialdevice will be developed to convert sun energy intoH2 with close to 10% efficiency by water splitting atambient temperature (www.artiphyction.org).

40 2

ADEL – Advanced Electrolyser for HydrogenProduction with Renewable Energy Sources

The project aims at developing a new steam elec-trolyser concept, the so-called IntermediateTemperature Steam Electrolysis (ITSE). The newconcept will increase the electrolyser lifetime bydecreasing its operation temperature while main-taining a satisfactory performance level. This willallow a significant part of the required energy to beprovided as heat, the rest being provided as elec-tricity (www.adel-energy.eu).

HYDROGEN AND FUEL CELL PROJECTS SWITZERLAND

Bio-Mimetic Chemistry of [Fe]-Hydrogenase

Hydrogenases are enzymes that efficiently catalyzethe production and/or utilization of hydrogen (H2). Inlight of the central role of H2 in technologies (fuelcell) and industries (hydrogenation), studies on thestructure and function of hydrogenases are of signif-icant current interest. Bio-mimetic chemistry playsan important role here because it provides importantchemical precedents and insights.

Olivier BucheliHTceramix, [email protected]

Toby MeyerSolaronix SA, [email protected]

Xile HuEPFL, [email protected]

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412

Patricia GirardbilleQuantis Sàrl, [email protected]

Artur BraunEMPA Dü[email protected]

Catalysis Under Extreme Conditions: in situStudies of the Reforming of Organic KeyCompounds in Supercritical Water

The project focuses mainly on obtaining insights tothe role of the catalytically active metal. Besides online mass spectrometry (MS) for analyzing the gas-phase species (methane, hydrogen, carbon diox-ide, carbon monoxide), in situ investigations of aruthenium catalyst applying X-ray absorption spec-troscopy (XAS) and X-ray emission spectroscopy(XES) are planned.

Defects in the bulk and on surfaces and interfaces of

metal oxides with photoelectrochemical properties: In-

situ photoelectrochemical and resonant x-ray and elec-

tron spectroscopy studies

In PEC anode materials, solar energy creates electron-hole

pairs which separate under an external field; the holes dif-

fuse to the anode-electrolyte interface into the electrolyte

where they can oxidize water and generate oxygen gas; in

return, an electron from the electrolyte enters the anode

material, and at the cathode hydrogen is evolved which can

be used as fuel. This is a joint project of Empa Laboratory for

High Performance Ceramics and EPFL LPI, funded by the

Swiss National Science foundation.

DEMCAMER - Design and Manufacturing ofCatalytic Membrane Reactors by developingnew nano-architectured catalytic and selectivemembrane materials

The aim of the project is to develop multifunctional

Catalytic Membrane Reactors based on nano-architec-

tured catalysts and selective membranes materials to

improve their performance, cost effectiveness and sus-

tainability over four selected chemical processes

((Autothermal Reforming (ATR), Fischer-Tropsch (FTS),

Water Gas Shift (WGS), and Oxidative Coupling of

Methane (OCM)) for pure hydrogen, liquid hydrocarbons

and ethylene production.

Jörg WambachPSI, [email protected]

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Olivier BucheliHTcearmix, [email protected]

Christoph MüllerETHZ, Zü[email protected]

Development of novel, synthetic, calcium-basedsorbents for CO2 capture and hydrogen produc-tion aided by advanced tomographic techniqueson the nano-metre scale

The overall objective of this proposal is the development

of novel, synthetic, calcium-based sorbents for CO2 cap-

ture. These sorbents shall possess high cyclic reactivity

and capacity, tolerance towards sulphur and a low ten-

dency for attrition. Two advanced particle preparation

techniques, i.e. co-precipitation and sol-gel, which offer

the possibility to tailor key structural parameters of the

sorbent, such as pore size distribution will be applied.

GENIUS – GEneric diagNosis InstrUment forSOFC SystemsHTceramix / Hexis

The state of health of any SOFC system is currentlydifficult to evaluate, which makes it difficult torespond to a fault or degradation with the appropri-ate counter measure, to ensure the required reliabil-ity level. Therefore, the GENIUS project aims todevelop a GENERIC tool that would only useprocess values and that would be based on a vali-dateddiagnostic algorithm (https://genius.eifer.uni-karlsruhe.de).

242

SOLARH2 – European solar-fuel initiative -renewable hydrogen from sun and water

SOLAR-H2 brings together 12 world-leadingEuropean laboratories to carry out integrated, basicresearch aimed at achieving renewable hydrogen(H2) production from environmentally saferesources. The vision is to develop novel routes forthe production of a Solar-fuel, in our case H2, fromthe very abundant, effectively inexhaustibleresources, solar energy and water.

Jean-David RochaixUni Genève, [email protected]

Hytech (Sustainable Hydrogen Technologies)

The HyTech project is focused on the realization ofbreakthroughs and advancing innovative technolo-gies in the field of sustainable H2 utilization. Thesedevelopments will have a large impact on future H2energy systems. To maximize the efficacy of ourefforts, both the disciplines of solar H2 productionand H2 storage will be engaged by employing thetop experts in each field from Switzerland, and bypursuing pioneering approaches.

Massimiliano CapezzaliEPFL, Lausanne, Villigen,Dü[email protected]

Anton MeierPSI, [email protected]

IDEALHY - Integrated design for demonstrationof efficient liquefaction of hydrogen

The project (www.idealhy.eu) carries out a detailedinvestigation of different steps in the liquefactionprocess, bringing innovations and greater integra-tion in an effort to reduce specific energy consump-tion by 50% compared to existing plants, and simul-taneously to reduce investment cost. IDEALHY willcarry out a well-to-end-user analysis to illustrate therole of liquid hydrogen in the energy chain.

IEA Hydrogen Implementing Agreement –Annex High Temperature Hydrogen ProductionProcess

The purpose of Task 25 is to support production ofmassive quantities of zero-emission H2 throughuse of high temperature processes (> 500° C) cou-pled with nuclear and solar heat sources. The over-arching objective is to share existing worldwideknowledge on high temperature processes (HTPs)and further to develop expertise in global assess-ment of the HTPs that can be integrated inHydrogen Production Road Mapping.

Michael BörschWEKA AG, Bä[email protected]


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IEA Hydrogen Implementing Agreement –Annex Advanced Materials for Hydrogen FromWaterphotolysis

The main goal of the new Task 26 is to seamlesslyextend the excellent R&D efforts made under previ-ous PEC Tasks 14 and 20 toward practical materialand systems solutions for water-photolysis. In thiscontinued research, photon conversion efficiencyand durability will be judged as the main measuresof success in the development of new PEC materi-als.

Metal-oxide nanoparticles and films for solarphoto-electrochemical hydrogen fuel produc-tion

The objective of this project is to develop mixedmetal-oxide narrow band-gap semiconduc-tornanoparticles with optimized redox potentials toproduce hydrogen efficiently via photo-catalysisusing visible light. Acetylene flame spray synthesisis a new method for nanopar-ticle and nanocom-posite production from affordable inorganic precur-sor solutions with high crystallinity.

NANOMOF – Nanoporous Metal-OrganicFrameworks for production

The discovery of porous hybrid materials construct-ed from inorganic nodes and organic multifunctionallinkers has established a new area of inorganic-organic hybrids (Metal-Organic Frameworks,MOFs) with extraordinary performance as com-pared to traditional porous solids such as zeolitesand activated carbon. NanoMOF will focus beyonddiscovery and integrate MOFs into products withindustrial impact within a strong cooperation ofestablished MOF research institutions and industri-al end users.

Kevin SivulaEPFL, [email protected]

Artur BraunEMPA, Dü[email protected]

André LangNorafin GmbH, [email protected]

442

PALE - Pilot laboratory alkaline electrolysertestbench tor high pressure and temperature

Complementary to the EU-project ELYGRID(www.elygrid.com) in this applied P&D project, afully automated pilot-Iaboratory electrolyser with amembrane diameter of 50 mm will be developedand built up. It is possible to test the membraneand total stack concerning efficiency, durability, cellvoltage and power consumption under real condi-tions with electrodes and membranes made ofnewly developed advanced materials for higherefficiency.

Ulrich VogtEMPA, Dü[email protected]


Michael GraetzelEPFL, [email protected]

PEChouse 2 – Photoelectrochemical water-splitting for solar production of hydrogen

Photoelectrochemical cells (PEC directly splitwater into H2 and O2 thereby providing a basis forthe renewable, clean production of hydrogen fromsunlight. They rely on a photoactive material (asemiconductor) capable of harvesting and convert-ing solar energy into stored chemical fuel, i.e.hydrogen. The PECHouse is a collaborative effortwith defined goals for the stepwise development ofan efficient hydrogen production system(http://pechouse.epfl.ch/)

PHOCS - Photogenerated Hydrogen by OrganicCatalytic Systems

Aim of the project is the realization of a new-con-cept, photoelectrochemical system for hydrogenproduction, based on the hybrid organic/inorganicand organic/liquid interfaces. PHOCS takes themove from the recent demonstration ofreduction/oxidation reactions taking place, undervisible light and at zero bias, at the interface of anorganic semiconductor and an aqueous electrolyte,obtained by the coordinators group.


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HYDROGEN REPORT

Aldo SteinfeldETHZ, Zürich / PSI, [email protected]

Christian WieckertPSI, [email protected]

Christoph MüllerETHZ, Zü[email protected]


HYDROGEN REPORT

Production of ultra-pure hydrogen from woodybiomass using a modified chemical loopingprocess

The proposal is concerned with a novel method forthe production of hydrogen from woody biomasswhich is of sufficient purity to be used directly inPEM fuel cells without substantial gas clean-up,using a modified chemical looping combustionprocess.

SFERA – Solar facilities for the Europeanresearch area

The purpose of this project is to integrate, coordi-nate and further focus scientific collaborationamong the leading European research institutionsin solar concentrating systems and offer Europeanresearch and industry access to the best-qualifiedresearch and test infrastructures. These are suitedfor investigating processes for solar electricity gen-eration, for hydrogen and solar fuels production aswell as for research in advanced materials and fur-ther applications.

246

Splitting H2O and CO2 via a solar thermochem-ical redox cycle

The scope of this project is the solar splitting of H2O andCO2 via thermochemical redox cycles, yielding H2 andCO ‒ syngas: the precursor of liquid hydrocarbon fuels fortransportation. The 2-step cycle consists of: 1) the solarendothermic reduction of the metal oxide using concen-trated solar energy as the source of high-temperatureprocess heat; and 2) the non-solar exothermic oxidationof the reduced metal oxide with H2O/CO2 which yieldssyngas together with the initial metal oxide; the latter isrecycled to the 1st step. The chemical thermodynamicsand reaction kinetics are investigated for the zinc-based(Zn/ZnO) and ceria-based (CeO2/CeO2-δ) redox reac-tions, and the solar reactor technologies are developedfor decentralized (kW) solar parabolic dishes or central-ized (MW) solar tower configurations.http://www.pre.ethz.ch/

Solar-driven thermochemical gasification ofcarbonaceous feedstockThe scope of this project is the solar-driven thermo-chemical conversion of carbonaceous feedstock (e.g.biomass, coal, C-containing wastes) into widely applica-ble and energy-rich syngas – a fuel mixture of mainly H2and CO – which can be used for the production of heat,power, and fuels. The advantages of the solar-drivenprocess vis-à-vis the conventional autothermal process-es are four-folded: 1) it delivers higher syngas output perunit of feedstock, as no portion of the feedstock is com-busted for process heat; 2) it avoids contamination ofsyngas with combustion by-products or tars; 3) it pro-duces syngas with higher calorific value and lower CO2intensity, as the energy content of the feedstock isupgraded by up to 33% through the solar energy input;and 4) it eliminates the need for an upstream air sepa-ration unit. The solar reactor technology is being devel-oped for a large-scale (MW) solar tower configuration.http://www.pre.ethz.ch/.

Towards Industrial Solar Production of Zincand Hydrogen – 100 kW Solar Pilot Reactor forZnO Dissociation

Following the technical demonstration with a 10kW solar reactor prototype, a 100 kW solar pilotplant for the thermal dissociation of ZnO has beendesigned, fabricated, and experimentally tested atthe large-scale solar concentrating facility ofPROMES-CNRS in Odeillo, France. This opera-tional experience has pointed out further R&Dneeds and is guiding the development of an indus-trial solar chemical plant for the production of H2and syngas – a precursor for liquid hydrocarbonfuels.


472

Solar Production of Zinc and Hydrogen ReactorOptimisation for Scale-up

In a two-step cycle based on the ZnO/Zn redoxreactions, solar energy provides the process heatfor the highly endothermic, high-temperature ther-mal dissociation of ZnO(s) into storable and trans-portable Zn metal. Depending on the desired appli-cation, the Zn(s) produced in turn can (1) be usedas the fuel in a Zn-air battery to generate electricity,or (2) split water in an exothermic Zn hydrolysisreaction and convert the hydrogen to electricity in aH2-O2 fuel cell.


Aldo SteinfeldETHZ, Zürich / PSI, [email protected]


HYDROGEN REPORT

Jean-David RochaixUni Genève, [email protected]

Markus NiederbergerETHZ, Zü[email protected]


HYDROGEN REPORT

SOLARH2 – renewable hydrogen from sun andwater

The vision is to develop novel routes for the produc-tion of a Solar-fuel, in our case H2, from the veryabundant, effectively inexhaustible resources, solarenergy and water. Our multidisciplinary expertisespans from molecular biology, biotechnology, viabiochemistry and biophysics to organo-metallic andphysical chemistry.

SOLAROGENIX – Visible-Light Active MetalOxide Nano-catalysts for Sustainable SolarHydrogen Production

The project SOLAROGENIX is a CollaborativeProject funded by the Seventh FrameworkProgramme of the European Union. It will investi-gate novel nanostructured photocatalysts startingfrom comprehensive theoretical and experimentalinvestigations on visible-light active metal oxides forphotoelectrochemical splitting of water to target theenvironmental hydrogen production from salinewater by sun illumination.

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Philippe MauronEMPA, Dü[email protected]

SINERGIA HyCarBo - Smart carbon-basedmaterials for hydrogen storage

In the present project we propose to investigate onthe possibility to increase the hydrogen storagecapacity of carbon-based materials via chemicalactivation by means of alkali and alkaline earthmetal intercalation. The classes of materials wepropose to investigate present two distinct molecu-lar geometry: planar carbon structures and closecarbon structures.

Developing stable and inexpensive p-type photo-cathodes for the production of solar fuels

The development of promising materials for the directconversion of solar energy into carbon-based fuelsusing a photoelectrochemical device is an importantgoal for renewable energy storage. For this project theperformance of promising copper-based p-type photo-cathodes for the reduction of water is being developed.Overall, we seek to employ inexpensive raw materialsand processing techniques while still obtaining high per-formance devices. Thus, solution based methods forpreparing the promising copper oxide materials arebeing used. The material stoichiometry and doping isbeing varied to optimize the performance of thesedevices. Funded by the EOS Holdings SA.

Andreas ZüttelEMPA, Dü[email protected]

Toby MeyerSolaronix SA, [email protected]


HYDROGEN REPORT

SOLHYDROMICS – Nanodesigned electro-chemical converter of solar energy into hydro-gen hosting natural enzymes or their mimics

An artificial device will be developed to convert sunenergy into H2 with 10% efficiency by water split-ting at ambient temperature, including: an elec-trode exposed to sunlight carrying PSII or a PSII-like chemical mimic deposited upon a suitableelectrode; a membrane enabling transport of bothelectrons and protons via e.g. carbon nanotubesor TiO2 connecting the two electrodes and ion-exchange resins like e.g. Nafion, respectively.

ACH – Advanced Complex Hydrides

The goal of the project is to explore all simple andbinary complex borohydrides by means of theempirical model in order to identify interestingcompounds for hydrogen storage which are lessstable than required. Furthermore, a special focuswill be on compounds which are liquids at roomtemperature. The interesting compounds will besynthesized directly from the elements and inves-tigated by means of spectroscopic methods forthere local structure and there thermodynamicproperties.

HYDROGEN STORAGE

492


Andreas BorgschulteEMPA, Dü[email protected]

Radovan CernyUni Genève, [email protected]


BORANE

In the project the influence of boron-hydrogencompounds on the formation and decomposition oftetrahydroborates is analyzed. The main objectiveis to understand the related mechanisms based onreactions of hydrogen/borane uptake and release.The understanding of these mechanisms will serveas a basis for optimization of tetrahydroborates tobe used for hydrogen storage.

BOR4STORE - Fast, reliable and cost effectiveboron hydride based high capacity solid statehydrogen storage materials

The project proposes an integrated, multidiscipli-nary approach for the development and testing ofnovel, optimised and cost-efficient boron hydridebased H2 storage materials with superior perform-ance (capacity more than 8 wt.% and 80 kgH2/m3). The most promising material(s), to be indi-cated by rigorous a down-selection processes, willbe used for the development of a prototype labora-tory H2 storage system.

BIMETALLIC BOROHYDRIDES: hydrogen stor-age and superionic conductivity

The aim of the project is the development of newmaterials - bimetallic borohydrides - as hydrogenstorage materials, and as superionic conductorsfor battery applications. Le projet dans son con-texte, son sense et son importance: Hydrogenstorage for mobile applications is still an openquestion.


HYDROGEN REPORT

502


Catalytic activation of small molecules:towards applications in molecular energy stor-age and delivery

This research project is proposed for a betterunderstanding of the fundamental aspects and thepossible applications of these processes, stronglylinked with the homogeneous catalytic activation ofH2, CO2, CO and N2, as well as small organicmolecules (HCOOH, alkenes, alkynes, methanol,etc.) in aqueous solution and in different reactionmedia.

CAT4ENSUS - Molecular Catalysts Made ofEarth-Abundant Elements for Energy andSustainability

There are two specific aims: (I) bio-inspired sulfur-rich metal complexes as efficient and practicalelectro-catalysts for hydrogen production and CO2reduction; (II) well-defined Fe complexes of chelat-ing pincer ligands for chemo- and stereo-selectiveorganic synthesis. An important feature of the pro-posed catalysts is that they are made of earth-abundant and readily available elements such asFe, Co, Ni, S, N, etc.

CARINHYPH - Bottom-up fabrication of nanocarbon-inorganic hybrid materials for photo-catalytic hydrogen production

This projects deals with the hierarchical assemblyof functional nanomaterials into novel nanocarbon-inorganic hybrid structures for energy generationby photocatalyic hydrogen production, with carbonnanotubes (CNTs) and graphene the choice ofnanocarbons. The scientific activities include thedevelopment of new functionalisation strategiestargeted at improving charge transfer in hybridsand therefore their photocatalytic activity.

Luciana VaccaroEPFL, [email protected]

Gàbor LaurenczyEPFL, [email protected]

Roland HischierEMPA, St. [email protected]

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HYDROGEN REPORT

Fundamental studies on the boron-hydrogen bond:-Chemical synthesis, isotope exchange-Vibrational Spectroscopy-Theoretical calculations

FACULTÉ DES SCIENCESSection de Chimie et BiochimieDépartement de Chimie Physique

Combined experimental and theoretical studieson potential hydrogen storage materials and onnew inorganic fluorides

In this project, we aim to contribute to a fundamentalunderstanding of the nature of the boron-hydrogenbond. Vibrational spectroscopy probes directly thestrength of chemical bonds. In the first part of ourproject, we investigate, using a combined theoreti-cal and experimental approach, the effect of geom-etry changes (bond length and angles) on the vibra-tional spectra.

Hans HagemannUni Genève, [email protected]

HYDROGEN REPORT


DEMOYS – Dense membranes for efficient oxy-gen and hydrogen separation

The objective of this project is the development ofthin mixed conducting membranes for O2 and H2separation by using a new deposition techniqueLow Pressure Plasma Spraying Thin Film (LPPS-TF) in combination with nano-porous, highly cat-alytic layers. TF-LPPS is a technique based on acombination of thermal spray and Physical VapourDeposition technology (http://demoys.rse-web.it/).

Jennifer RuppETHZ, Zü[email protected]

HY-FORM 1: Production et opération d’un nou-veau système de génération d’hydrogènedécentralisé

In diesem Pilotprojekt geht es allgemein darum,aufzuzeigen, wie ein bestehendesWasserstofflogistiksystem für industrielleAnwendungen durch ein einfacheres und sicheres,ökonomisch wie ökologisch effizienteres Systemersetzt werden könnte. Hierzu wird eine vorindustriel-le Pilotanlage zur Vor-Ort- Produktion vonWasserstoff ausgehend von Formylsäure aufgebaut,an der die diversen Aspekte wie energetische, wirt-schaftliche und Umwelt-Bilanz einer solchen Anlagefür künftige Kunden demonstriert werden sollen.

Maurice JutzGranit SA, [email protected]

52 2

HYDYNA II

In this project we investigate the hydrogen mobilityand the hydrogen dynamics of a series of p-ele-ment complex hydrides and their influence on thestability and thermodynamic properties of therespective hydrides. In order to achieve the resultswe will combine neutron difftraction as well asinelastic and quasielastic neutron spectroscopymeasurements at SINQ (PSI), at BENSC (Berlin)and at ISIS (Didcot, UK) with nuclear magnetic res-onance measurements.

Arndt RemhofEMPA, Dü[email protected]



Influence of borane on the sorption of complexhydrides

Apart from being widely applied reagents in organ-ic and inorganic synthesis, complex hydrides areideal candidates to be used as future energy carri-ers. They can store high amounts of hydrogen pervolume and hence present compounds with veryhigh energy densities. In particular alkaline andalkaline-earth tetrahydroborates with one of thehighest volumetric and gravimetric hydrogencapacity are intensively studied as hydrogen stor-age materials.

IEA Hydrogen Implementing Agreement –Annex Fundamental and applied hydrogenstorage materials development

Task 22 addresses hydrogen storage in solid mate-rials. Hydrogen storage is considered by many tobe the greatest technological barrier to widespreadintroduction and use of hydrogen in global energysystems. Currently, no hydrogen storage system,including pressurized and liquefied hydrogen andhydrogen stored in solid compounds known, satis-fies international targets for on-board hydrogenstorage in mobile applications.

HYDROGEN REPORT


532

Ion mobility in complex hydrides

In a joint binational project, implemented under thePolish Swiss Research Programme (PSRP) we toinvestigate the fundamental transport properties inLi based complex hydrides, aiming to understandand to improve them with respect to potentialapplications as hydrogen storage materials and assolid state electrolytes.

NaNiBo - Nano-confinement of nitrogen andboron based hydrides

The availability of a safe and effective way to storehydrogen reversibly is one of the major issues forits large scale use as an energy carrier. At present,no single material fulfilling all requirements is insight. Amidoboranes and aluminium borohydridehave a high hydrogen content and release hydro-gen at rather the low temperatures. The main aimof this project is the development of novel and safeboron respectively nitrogen containing hydrogenstorage materials with the help of nano-structures.

Andreas BorgschulteEMPA, Dü[email protected]

Arndt RemhofEMPA, Dü[email protected]

HYDROGEN END USES


HYDROGEN REPORT

54 2

Jean-Hugues HoarauPictet & Cie, [email protected]

Production de chaleur par le biais d’une chau-dière à hydrogène Pictet & Cie

Es soll aufgezeigt werden, wie ein Teil desSanitärwassers im Administrationsgebäude vonPictet & Cie in Genf erneuerbar bereitgestellt wer-den kann. Hierzu soll Überschussstrom einerhauseigenen PV-Anlage zur Produktion vonWasserstoff genutzt werden, welcher in einemneuartigen katalytischen Brenner eingesetzt wird.Ziele des Projektes sind das Aufzeigen vonSpeicheroptionen für dezentrale Produktion mitErneuerbaren, insbesondere langristige oder sai-sonale.

ELYGRID - High Pressure AlkalineElectrolysers for Electricity/H2 production fromRenewable Energies

The project aims to reduce the total cost of hydrogen

production via electrolysis coupled to renewable energy

sources, mainly wind. It is focusing on megawatt-scale

electrolysers (>0.5 MW) and current objectives are to

improve system efficiency by 20% (10% stack and 10%

electrical conversion) and to reduce costs by 25%. The

work will be divided into three parts: cell improvements,

power electronics, and balance of plant (BOP). Two

scalable prototype electrolysers will be tested in facilities

which allow feeding with renewable energies (photo-

voltaic and wind).

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Ulrich VogtEMPA, Dü[email protected]

Hydrogen detectors and sensors for PEM fuelcell and electrolyser systems

Mass markets of hydrogen powered vehicles andhydrogen production units for residential areasrequire hydrogen detectors and sensors on a verylarge scale. The devices must be cheap, sensitiveand selective, and allow to detect hydrogen and tomonitor hydrogen-oxygen reaction processes.This project aims at developing sensing by usingthin films and novel materials undergoing hydro-gen-induced metal-insulator transitions.

Peter JansohnPSI, [email protected]

Klaus YvonUni Genève, [email protected]

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HYDROGEN REPORT

H2-IGCC – Low Emission Gas TurbineTechnology for Hydrogen-rich Syngas

The objective of this project is to provide technicalsolutions which allow the use of state-of-thearthighly efficient, reliable gas turbines in thenextgeneration of IGCC plants, suitable for combustingundiluted hydrogen-rich syngas derivedfrom a pre-combustion CO2 capture process. The challengeis to operate a gas turbine reliably on hydrogen-rich syngas with emissions and process parame-ters similar to current state of-the-art natural gasfired turbines.

Michael SpirigEuropean Fuel Cell Forum AGand Fomenta [email protected] /[email protected]

Lorenz GublerPSI, [email protected]

NOVEL - Novel materials and system designsfor low cost, efficient and durable PEM elec-trolysers

This project will take advantage of the progressbeyond the state of the art achieved by the part-ners involved in the NEXPEL project. In the initialphase of this project, durability studies of electrol-yser stacks developed in NEXPEL will be per-formed. The stacks will be run at different operat-ing conditions (low pressure, constant load, fluctu-ating load coupled with RES).

TEMONAS - TEchnology MONitoring andAssessment Services

The objective of the project is to provide a functionaland integrated TMA methodology and tool specifi-cally tailored for the needs of research project andprogram progress evaluation. TEMONAS will takethe various existing technology monitoring andassessment methodologies a step further in provid-ing a transparent service that allows a targetedcomparison and evaluation of project results andtechnology achievements with objectivity and confi-dentiality (www.temonas.eu).

HYDROGEN REPORT


256

FUEL CELLS

STATIONARY APPLICATIONST-CELL - Innovative SOFC Architecture based onTriode Operation

In order to provide a proof of concept of the stacka-bility of triode cells, a triode SOFC stack consistingof at least 4 repeating units will be developed and itsperformance will be evaluated under methane andsteam co-feed, in presence of a small concentrationof sulphur compound. Success of the overall ambi-tious objectives of the proposed project will result inmajor progress beyond the current state-of-the-art.

Jan van HerleEPFL, [email protected]

DESIGN - Degradation Signatures identifica-tion for stack operation diagnostics

The project proposes to study the influence ofslowly-damaging conditions on measures per-formed on the stack sub-components: the Cellsand the Single Repeating Units (SRU) and onsmall stacks. Identification of characteristic signa-tures of these degradation phenomena at thelower level will be subsequently transposed at thestack level, to provide a way to diagnose slowdegradation phenomena in a commercial SOFCstack (www.design-sofc-diagnosis.com/).

ASSENT – Anode Sub-System Development &Optimisation for SOFC systems

The high temperature fuel cell technologies havepotential for high electrical efficiency, 45-60%, andtotal efficiency up to 95%. SOFC has the addedbenefit of offering commercial applications from 1kW residential to several MW stationary units withhigh fuel flexibility. Whilst much effort is devoted tocell and stack issues, less attention has been paidto the components and sub-systems required foran operational system (http://assent.vtt.fi/).

ASTERIX3 – ASsessment of SOFC CHP sys-tems build on the TEchnology of htceRamIX 3

The main objectives of this project are: Improvinglifetime, reliability and robustness of the overallsystem; Improve component quality; Increaserobustness and tolerance to thermal cycling;Develop and integrate fully automated control ofthe system; Reduce cost and volume of the sys-tem; Increase thermal and electrical efficiency.Achieving these objectives will enable us todemonstrate a residential CHP concept fulfillingmarket requirements (http://asterix3.eu/).


Olivier BucheliHTceramix / Hexis, [email protected]

Olivier BucheliHTceramix / Hexis, [email protected]

HYDROGEN REPORT


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HYDROGEN REPORT

HITTEC – integration of high temperature ther-moelectric converter for electricity generationin a solid oxide fuel cell system

To convert waste heat from solid oxide fuel cellsinto electricity is the goal of the “HITTEC” project.Researchers from Empa, in a strategic partnershipwith Hexis AG, are developing a thermoelectricconverter to make fuel cell systems more efficient,possibly generating an extra 10 per cent energyoutput. However, the first step is to develop suit-able materials to meet a diverse range of require-ments.

LOTUS – Low temperature Solid Oxide FuelCells for micro-CHP applications

The objective of the LOTUS project is to build andtest a Low Temperature SOFC system prototypebased on new SOFC technology combined withlow cost, mass-produced, proven components.The use of a modular concept and design prac-tices from the heating appliances industry willreduce maintenance and repair downtime andcosts of the system.

MCFC-Fuel Cells – Pilot Plant Grünau. ewzand Erdgas Zürich

The Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC), supplied by

FuelCell Energy Solutions GmbH, built in the heating

centre of the Überbauungsgemeinschaft Grünau

(Building Association Grünau) is to demonstrate how it

stands the test in a real heat-, electricity-, and natural

gas network long term. The pilot plant is also to show

how the fuel cell behaves in a permanent operation and

what way the operating costs are developing. The annu-

al electric utilisation level is approx. 47% gross and the

overall annual utilisation level is approx. 85% gross. The

MCFC has an electric gross performance of 230 kW and

a thermal performance of 170 kW.

Mevina FeuersteinEWZ, Zü[email protected]

Olivier BucheliHTceramix / SOFCPower, [email protected]

Andre HeelEMPA, Dü[email protected]


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HYDROGEN REPORT

RAMSES - Robust Advanced Materials for MetalSupported SOFC

The objective is to develop a SOFC cell with animproved lifetime thanks to the low operating tem-perature (600°C) while achieving high performanc-es by applying advanced low-temperature elec-trodes and electrolyte materials. The MetalSupported Cell concept (MSC) will in additionreduce statistically based mechanical failures anddecrease manufacturing cost by decreasing theamount of expensive ceramic materials to mini-mum.

ONEBAT – Battery Replacement usingMiniaturized Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

The idea behind the project proposal is the visionof a micro-SOFC system which can be used asbattery replacement for small portable electronicequipment. A factor of two to four higher energydensity, geographical independence and immedi-ate charging are expected from a micro-SOFCsystem compared to state-of-the-art Li-ion batter-ies. Polymer based fuel cells are not expected toshow similar performance improvements overstate-of-the-art batteries.

Modeling of energy conversion processes atthe microscale

The aim of the project is to develop an advancednumerical tool capable of modeling key microscaleprocesses occurring in both thermochemical andelectrochemical conversion systems. A particularobjective is to apply this model in a PolymerElectolyte Fuel Cell (PEMC) and compare the pre-dictions with measurements of permeabilities anddiffusivities inside the gas diffusion layer (GDL).

Anja BieberleETHZ, Zü[email protected]

Ioannis MantzarasPSI, [email protected]



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ReforCELL - Advanced multi-fuel Reformer forCHP-fuel CELL systems

The main focus of the project is to develop a newmulti-fuel membrane reformer for pure hydrogenproduction (5 Nm3/h) based on CatalyticMembrane Reactors in order to intensify theprocess of hydrogen production through the inte-gration of reforming and purification in one singleunit. The novel reactor will be more efficient thanthe state-of-the-art technology due to an optimaldesign aimed at circumventing mass and heattransfer resistances (http://reforcell.eu/).

ROBANODE – Understanding and minimizinganode degradation in hydrogen and naturalgas fuelled SOFCs

The proposed project offers an effective methodol-ogy for a holistic approach of the SOFC anodedegradation problem, through detailed investiga-tion of the degradation mechanisms under variousoperating conditions and the prediction of theanode performance, degradation and lifetime onthe basis of a robust mathematical model, whichtakes into account all underlying phenomena(http://robanode.iceht.forth.gr/).

SCOTAS – Sulphur, Carbon, and re-OxidationTolerant Anodes and Anode Supports forSOFC

The project will demonstrate a new full ceramicSOFC cell with superior robustness as regards tosulphur tolerance, carbon deposition (coking) andre-oxidation (redox resistance). Having a morerobust cell will enable the system to be simplified,something of particular importance for combinedheat and power (CHP). The new ceramic basedcell will be produced by integrating strontiumtitanates, into existing, proven SOFC cell designs(www.scotas-sofc.eu).

Patricia GirardbilleQuantis Sàrl, [email protected]


Andreas MaiHexis AG, [email protected]

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HYDROGEN REPORT

SOFC-Life – Integrating Degradation Effectsinto Lifetime Prediction Models

Long-term stable operation of Solid Oxide FuelCells (SOFC) is a basic requirement for introduc-ing this technology to the stationary power market.Degradation phenomena limiting the lifetime canbe divided into continuous (baseline) and inciden-tal (transient) effects.This project is concerned withunderstanding the details of the major SOFC con-tinuous degradation effects.

SOF-CH ESC — Electrolyt Supported SolidOxid Fuel Cells for Small Combined Heat andPower Plants

It is the main target of the project to develop newsolutions which lead to a significant extension ofthe stack lifetimes, based on new and establishedknow-how. In addition the planned project will alsoinclude characterisation and modelling activitiesfor reliable lifetime predictions.

SOF-CH ASE — Increased efficiency and relia-bility of SOFC system using Anode-Supported-Electrolyte technology

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), based on ceramicsas central components, stand out with the highestpotential for electrical efficiency, longevity andmanageable cost, owing to thermal process inte-gration, wide fuel flexibility, and absence of corro-sive liquids and noble metals. This projectaddresses the three crucial features of electricalefficiency, durability and reliability of operation.

Jan van HerleEMPA, EPFL, HexisHTceramix, ZHAW, [email protected]


Andreas MaiHexis AG, [email protected]

2


SAFEDRIVE - A Platform Power Management Systemand Low Voltage Drive Train for Hybrid and ElectricVehicles

The European hybrid, electric and fuel cell vehicle indus-

tries commercialise small volumes of low emission vehi-

cles. These vehicles do not meetcustomer performance

demands, at a price pointwhich is competitive with IC

engines. Large vehicle manufacturers overcome this gap

and reductheir development costs by platform sharing

component technologies. The Safedrive proposal

addresses the technology gap through the development of

a new design DC motor, a high efficiency converter and an

open platform power management system. This system

easilyaccommodates fuel cell power sources.

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HYDROGEN REPORT

Antioxidant strategies for the stabilization offuel cell membranes against oxidative stress

The chemical stability of fuel cell membranes rep-resents a major challenge. During fuel cell opera-tion, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are created asintermediates. They can attack the ionomer andcause degradation and aging, eventually leading tothe failure of the cell. The aim of this project is toincorporate antioxidant functionalities into themembrane to protect the polymer from oxidativedegradation.


SOFCOM - SOFC CCHP with poly-fuel: operation and management

SOFCOM is an applied research project devotedto demonstrate the technical feasibility, the effi-ciency and environmental advantages of CCHPplants based on SOFC fed by different typologiesof biogenous primary fuels (locally produced), alsointegrated by a process for the CO2 separationfrom the anode exhaust gases(http://areeweb.polito.it/ricerca/sofcom/).


MOBILE APPLICATIONS

Susanne WegmannAssociation e’mobile, [email protected]

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HYDROGEN REPORT

CHIC – Clean Hydrogen in European Cities /Swiss Hydrogen Filling Station Postauto AG

Hydrogen and fuel cells can play an important rolein the reduction of local air pollutants, as well as inthe decarbonisation of Europe’s transport system.Hydrogen powered transport is currently able tomeet the normal operational requirements of busesand light passenger and commercial vehicles. Theobjective of CHIC is to move these demonstrationvehicles towards full commercialization by 2015(http://chic-project.eu).

Nikoletta SeraidouPostauto AG, [email protected]

Development of a 25 KW Hydrogen / OxygenFuel Cell system

To achieve a competitive component for a fuel cell(FC) driven powertrain for a passenger car the FC-system has to meet several goals, which shall beaddressed in the BELENOS CLEAN POWER -FuelCell project. The degradation of the FC-systemshall be reduced by optimal stack design and aspecific operation strategy for a H2-O2 FC. The costissue will be addressed by improving productionprocesses of the components, integration of sys-tem components and the development of the con-cept of an industrial assembly process.

Thomas SchmidtPSI, [email protected]


S-Chain Fundamentals (Belenos)

The main project goals are to understand andimprove the operation of the polymer electrolytefuel cells (PEFC) of Belenos by means of numeri-cal simulations and to develop a simulation pro-gram tailored to describe the complex S_Chaindesign and to understand and improve the sub-zero operation by experimental investigation andby modeling of the sub-zero start and operation forH2/O2 operation.

Felix BüchiPSI, [email protected]

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HYDROGEN REPORT


Gas Analysis in PE Fuel Cells

In polymer electrolyte fuel cells reactants aregaseous. Their distribution and permeationthrough the polymer electrolyte play an importantrole for the durability and efficiency. In-situ and on-line local gas analysis is an important tool for theunderstanding of these processes. The methodusing tracer gases is new and unique.


GreenPower: Connecting the renewable energyto green mobility using Hydrogen as energy car-rier under the Belenos Clean power Initiative

As part of the developments on-going withinBelenos, an issue is the development of adequatemembranes for the fuel cells. In this project, themembrane will be based on new materials to enablea cost effective application in an H2-O2 fuel cell.These new membranes will be optimized for cost aswell as for mechanical and chemical stability.Another issue addressed in this project is the safetyrelated to hydrogen and oxygen storage in a car orat home.

H2FC European Infrastructure Project

European Infrastructure addresses the topicINFRA-2011-1.1.16 Research Infrastructures forH2FC Facilities and the related energy-chains, bybringing together, for the first time in Europe, theleading European R&D institutions of the H2 com-munity together with those of the fuel cell communi-ty, covering the entire life-cycle of H2FC, i.e. hydro-gen production, storage, distribution, and final usein fuel cells (http://www.h2fc.eu/).

Lorenz GublerPSI, EPFL, [email protected]

Pierre BoillatPSI, [email protected]

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HYDROGEN REPORT

IHPoS - Independent-Hydrogen-Power-Systemadvanced fuel cell system

The focus of this project is the development of aPEM- fuel cell system with an optimal outputpower in the range of 250 – 1000 W. The systemsare being commercialized by the companyCEKAtec AG for niche market applications. Thecost-efficient production of the components of thefuel cell stack and a lean system architecturecontribute to the development of a competitiveproduct.

Michael HöckelBFH, [email protected]

Christian BachEMPA, Dü[email protected]

IHPoS-E – Fuel-cell-Minibar

Providing hot and cold food and drinks on trains isa valuable revenue stream for train operating com-panies. However, the choice of electrical appli-ances and hence, goods, is limited by today’s con-ventional power sources: batteries. Batteries pro-vide a limited amount of energy and are prone toneeding replacing. CEKA’s IHPoS-E 500W fuelcell system has already been successfully inte-grated into a minibar for Swiss trains, providingfreshly made coffee and onboard refrigeration.

Marco SantisCEKAtec, [email protected]


Hy.muve – hydrogen driven municipal vehicle

Suitable niche market applications play an impor-tant role for the development of the hydrogenbased mobility. Within the hy.muve-project, a fuelcell hybrid electric driven road sweeper with 50%energy consumption reduction compared to thediesel hydraulic driven basis vehicle and signifi-cant lower noise emissions was developed. Theproject vehicle is actually operated in a 1.5 yearfield testing from city cleaning services in 3-4Swiss cities. (www.empa.ch/hy.muve).

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HYDROGEN REPORT


IMPALA - IMprove PEMFC with Advanced watermanagement and gas diffusion Layers forAutomotive application

The purpose of the IMPALA project is to manufac-ture improved GDL to increase performance (up to1 W/cm²) and durability of PEMFC for automotiveapplications. Two approaches will be followed: i)Homogeneous GDL will be modified to ensure abetter water management on anode and on cath-ode side. ii) More innovative non uniform GDL willbe manufactured to adjust their local properties tothe non uniform local operating conditions of aPEMFC.

MemDeg

Understanding degradation mechanisms of radia-tion grafted proton conducting membranes underfuel cell operating conditions.

MOBYPOST – Mobility with Hydrogen for PostalDelivery

MobyPost proposes to develop the concept of elec-tric vehicles powered by fuel cells for delivery appli-cation and a local hydrogen production and associ-ated refuelling apparatus from a renewable primaryenergy source, using industrial buildings to producehydrogen by electrolysis, roofs of the buildingsbeing covered of photovoltaic solar cells able tosupply electrolysis. (http://mobypost-project.eu/).



Roberto BianchiMES SA, [email protected]

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HYDROGEN REPORT

PEMICAN - PEM with Innovative low cost Corefor Automotive application

PEMICAN proposes to reduce the Pt loading forautomotive application down to 0.15 gram of Pt perkW, by a twofold approach: 1. to increase Pt uti-lization and power density by improving effectivetransport properties of ALs by tuning properties ofthe electrolyte and by adding special carbonblacks in order to improve catalyst, electrolyte dis-tribution and water management; 2. to reduce Ptloading by controlling its distribution.

Morphological studies of polymer electrolytesfor fuel cell application

Despite the increasing interest in ion-conductingpolymer electrolytes, the influence of the molecularcomposition on the morphology, and the influenceof the morphology on the functional properties arefar from being understood. Small-angle neutronscattering (SANS) and small-angle X-ray scatter-ing (SAXS) are used to probe the morphology ofthe fuel cell membranes on the nanometer scale.

X-Ray Tomographic Microscopy of PE Fuel Cells

Transport processes are of high importance for theoptimization of efficiency and durability of polymerelectrolyte fuel cells. The understanding of the roleof condensed water in the porous gas diffusion lay-ers on the gas transport is therefore of importance.X-ray tomographic microscopy is a powerful tool toinvestigate and characterize the behavior of liquidwater. Felix Büchi

PSI, [email protected]

Marlene RodlertTimcal SA, [email protected]

Joachim KohlbrecherPSI, [email protected]


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HYDROGEN REPORT

BACWIRE – Bacterial wiring for energy conver-sion and remediation

The aim of the project is to develop a new para-digm for the simultaneous cogeneration of energyand bioremediation using electro-active bacteria.A new nano-structured transducer that efficientlyconnects to these bacteria will be developed, aim-ing to the production of devices with superior per-formance across a range of applications includingmicrobial fuel cells, whole cell biosensors andbioreactors.

Thomas WandlowskiUni Bern, [email protected]

FITUP – Fuel cell field test demonstration forportable generators, backup and UPS powersystem applications

A total of 19 market-ready fuel cell systems from 2suppliers (ElectroPS, FutureE) will be installed asUPS/ backup power sources in selected sitesacross the EU. Real-world customers from thetelecommunications and hotel industry will utilizethese fuel cell-based systems, with power levels inthe 1-10kW range, in their sites. These units willdemonstrate a level of technical performance thatqualifies them for market entry (www.fitup-project.eu).

Ulrike TrachteHochschule Luzern /Swisscom AG / [email protected]

FCPOWEREDRBS - Demonstration Project forPower Supply to Telecom Stations through FCtechnology

FC and H2 may represent an enabling technologyfor a wider diffusion of Radio Base Station ener-gized by renewable energy sources. While theexpected higher energy efficiency already has anattractive potential for these applications, the ener-gy storage potential of H2 is even more interestingas it could extend significantly the number of hoursof unattended operation which very much deter-mines the overall energy cost for these installation.

Gianmario PicciottiMES SA, [email protected]


OTHER APPLICATIONS

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HYDROGEN REPORT


HYDROGENIEA Hydrogen Implementing Agreement –Annex Hydrogen Safety

In recent years, a significant international effort hasbeen initiated to development codes and standardsrequired for the introduction of these new systems.Such codes and standards are usually developedthrough operating experience in actual use that isaccumulated over time. Without such long termexperience, there is a tendency for early codes andstandards to be more restrictive to ensure that anacceptable level of safety is maintained. One pos-sible effect is to hinder the introduction of hydrogensystems.

Michael BielmannEMPA, Dü[email protected]

IEA Hydrogen Implementing Agreement(IEA-HIA)

The International Energy Agency(IEA) HydrogenImplementing Agreement(HIA) was established in1977 to pursue collaborative hydrogen researchand development and information exchange amongits member countries. Through the creation andconduct of some thirty annexes or tasks, the HIAhas facilitated and managed a comprehensiverange of hydrogen R&D and analysis activities.TheHIA is an IEA Implementing Agreement.

Stefan OberholzerBFE, [email protected]

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HYDROGEN REPORT


Hydrogen — (Gr. hydro, water, and genes,forming). Hydrogen was prepared manyyears before it was recognised as a distinctsubstance by Cavendish in 1766. It wasnamed by Lavoisier. Hydrogen is the mostabundant of all elements in the universe, andit is thought that the heavier elements were,and still are, being built from hydrogen andhelium. It has been estimated that hydrogenmakes up more than 90% of all the atoms orthree quarters of the mass of the universe.Hydrogen is found in the sun and most stars,and plays an important part in the proton-pro-ton reaction and carbon-nitrogen cycle, whichaccounts for the energy of the sun and stars.It is thought that hydrogen is a major compo-nent of the planet Jupiter and that at somedepth in the planet’s interior the pressure isso great that solid molecular hydrogen is con-verted into solid metallic hydrogen. In 1973, itwas reported that a group of Russian experi-menters may have produced metallic hydro-gen at a pressure of 2.8 Mbar. At the transi-tion the density changed from 1.08 to 1.3g/cm3. Earlier, in 1972, a Livermore(California) group also reported on a similarexperiment in which they observed a pres-sure-volume point centered at 2 Mbar. It hasbeen predicted that metallic hydrogen maybe metastable; others have predicted it wouldbe a superconductor at room temperature.

On earth, hydrogen occurs chiefly in combi-nation with oxygen in water, but it is alsopresent in organic matter such as livingplants, petroleum, coal, etc. It is present as afree element in the atmosphere, but only tothe extent of less than 1 ppm by volume orig-inates from water splitting by UV-light. It is thelightest of all gases, and combines with otherelements, sometimes explosively, to formcompounds. Great quantities of hydrogen arerequired commercially for the fixation of nitro-gen from the air in the Haber -Bosch ammo-nia process and for the hydrogenation of fats

and oils. It is also used in large quantities inorganic chemistry e.g. in methanol produc-tion, in hydrodealkylation, hydro cracking, andhydrodesulfurization. It is also used as arocket fuel, for welding, for production ofhydrochloric acid, for the reduction of metallicores, and for filling balloons. The lifting powerof 1 m3 of hydrogen gas is about 1.16 kg at0°C and 1 bar pressure.

Tab. 1: Vapor pressure and density of p-hydrogenat low temperatures, a Triple point, b101.3 kPa,cCritical point.

Production of hydrogen worldwide nowamounts to about 5·1010 kg per year. It is pre-pared by the reaction of steam on heated car-bon, by thermal decomposition of certainhydrocarbons, by the electrolysis of water, orby the displacement from acids by certainmetals. It is also produced by the reaction ofsodium or potassium hydroxide with alu-minum. Liquid hydrogen is important in cryo-genics and in the study of superconductivity,as its melting point is only 20 K.

The ordinary isotope of hydrogen, H is knownprotium. In 1932, Urey announced the prepa-ration of a stable isotope, deuterium (D) withan atomic weight of 2. Two years later anunstable isotope, tritium (T), with an atomicweight of 3 was discovered. Tritium has ahalf-life of about 12.5 years. One atom ofdeuterium is found in about 6000 ordinaryhydrogen atoms. Tritium atoms are also pres-ent but in much smaller proportion. Tritium isreadily produced in nuclear reactors and isused in the production of the hydrogen bomb.It is also used as a radioactive agent in mak-ing luminous paints, and as a tracer.

HYDROGEN FACTS

Temp. [K]

Vapor pressure [kPa]

Density[kg/m3]pS pL pG

1 11·10-37 89.024

5 4.76·10-3 88.965

10 255.6 88.136 0.006

12 1837 87.532 0.037

13.803a 7.0 86.503 77.019 0.126

20 93.5 71.086 1.247

20.268b 101.3 70.779 1.338

30 822.5 53.930 10.887

32.976c 1293 31.43

Fig. 1: Primitivephase diagram forhydrogen

2

The current price of tritium, to authorised per-sonnel only, is about 2 Euro/Ci; deuteriumgas is readily available, without permit, atabout 10’000 Euro/kg. Heavy water, deuteri-um oxide (D2O), which is used as a modera-tor to slow down neutrons, is available with-out permit at a cost of 500 Euro/kg, depend-ing on quantity and purity. The price of hydro-gen is directly bound to the price of electricity(0.05 €/kWh) and therefore around 2.5Euro/kg.Quite apart from isotopes, it has been shownthat hydrogen gas under ordinary conditionsis a mixture of two kinds of molecules, knownas ortho- and para-hydrogen, which differ

from one another by the spins of their elec-trons and nuclei. Normal hydrogen at roomtemperature contains 25% of the para formand 75% of the ortho form. Consideration isbeing given to an entire economy based onsolar- and nuclear-generated hydrogen.Located in remote regions, power plantswould electrolyze sea water: the hydrogenproduced would travel to distant cities bypipelines. Pollution-free hydrogen couldreplace natural gas, gasoline, etc., and couldserve as a reducing agent in metallurgy,chemical processing, refining, etc. It couldalso be used to convert organic waste intomethane and ethylene.

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HYDROGEN REPORT


Hydrogen Methane Propane Gasoline

Density of gas at standard conditions [kg/m3(STP)] 0.084 0.65 2.42 4.4a

Heat of vaporisation [kWh·kg-1] 0.1237 0.1416 0.07-0.11

Lower heating value [kWh·kg-1] 33.314 13.894 12.875 12.361

Higher heating value[kWh·kg-1] 39.389 15.361 14.003 13.333

Thermal conductivity of gas at standard conditions [mW·cm-1 K-1] 1.897 0.33 0.18 0.112

Diffusion coefficient in air at standard conditions [cm2·s-1] 0.61 0.16 0.12 0.05

Flammability limits in air [vol%] 4.0- 75 5.3-15 2.1-9.5 1-7.6

Detonability limits in air [vol%] 18.3-59 6.3-13.5 1.1-3.3

Limiting oxygen index [vol%] 5 12.1 11.6b

Stoichiometric composition in air [vol%] 29.53 9.48 4.03 1.76

Minimum energy for ignition in air [mJ] 0.02 0.29 0.26 0.24

Autoignition temperature [K] 858 813 760 500-744

Flame temperature in air [K] 2318 2148 2385 2470

Maximum burning velocity in air at standard conditions [m·s-1] 3.46 0.45 0.47 1.76

Detonation velocity in air at standard conditions [km·s-1] 1.48-2.15 1.4-1.64 1.85 1.4-1.7c

Energyd of explosion, mass-related [gTNT/g] 24 11 10 10

Energyd of explosion, volume-related [gTNT·m3(STP)] 2.02 7.03 20.5 44.2

Tab. 2: Combustionand explosion proper-ties of hydrogen,methane, propaneand gasoline. a100kPa and 15.5°C.bAverage value for amixture of C1-C4 andhigher hydrocarbonsincluding benzene.cBased on the prop-erties of n-pentaneand benzene. dTheoretical explosiveyields.

Fig. 2: Effect of temperature on flammability limitsof hydrogen in air (pressure 100 kPa).

Fig. 3: Flammability and detonability limits of thethree component system hydrogen-air-water a)42°C, 100 kPa; b) 167°C, 100 kPa, c) 167°C, 800kPa

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HYDROGEN REPORT

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Industry

Research and Education

Individual Members

2

HYDROPOLE NETWORK

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HYDROGEN REPORT

Industry

CEKA Elektrowerkzeuge AG + CO. KG, Bereich B Wattwil www.ceka.chCommune de Monthey, Service Industrielle Monthey 1 www.monthey.chDiamond Lite S.A. Thal www.diamondlite.comDJEVAHIRDJIAN H. S.A. Monthey www.djeva.chEuropean Fuel cell Forum AG Adligenswil www.efcf.comH. Bieri Engineering GmbH Winterthur www.bieri-ing.chHTceramix-SOFCpower Yverdon-les-B. www.htceramix.chH2 Nitidor IT-Codogno www.h2nitidor.itIndustrie Haute Technologie SA Monthey www.iht.chLinde Kryotechnik AG Pfungen www.linde-kryotechnik.chMichelin Recherche et Technique SA Givisiez www.michelin.chNEL Hydrogen AS NL-Notodden www.nel-hydrogen.comNova Werke AG, Hochdrucktechnik Effretikon www.novaswiss.chOffice de la circulation et de la navigation de FR ( OCN ) Fribourg www.ocn.chPostAuto Schweiz AG Bern www.postauto.chS-ce Simon consulting experts Zürich www.s-ce.chScience Solutions Baden www.sciencesolutions.chSwiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) Bern www.bfe.admin.chWEKA AG Bäretswil www.weka-ag.ch

Research and Education

Empa, Hydrogen & Energy Dübendorf www.empa.ch/h2eEPFL, Institut des sciences et ingénierie chimiques Lausanne www.epfl.chHaute Ecole d'Ingénierie et de Gestion du Canton de Vaud (heig-vd)Yverdon www.heig-vd.chHES-SO/Valais-Wallis Sion www.hevs.chHochschule für Technik und Informatik HTI Biel www.ti.bfh.chHochschule für Technik+Architektur HTA Luzern Horw www.hslu.ch/technik-architekturnovatlantis c/o Competence Center Energy and Mobility CCEM Villigen www.novatlantis.chPaul Scherrer Institut (PSI) Villigen www.psi.ch


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HYDROGEN REPORT


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Anmeldeformular als Mitglied des Vereins HYDROPOLE

Fax: 058 765 69 22Mail: [email protected]

Verein HYDROPOLEc/o EMPA DübendorfFrau Sara RebsamenÜberlandstrasse 129CH-8600 Dübendorf

Zweck des Vereins ist die Förderung der Nutzung von Wasserstoff als Energieträgerund Prozesschemikalie sowie die Förderung seiner Gewinnung aus regenerativenEnergiequellen, um einen Beitrag zur nachhaltigen Sicherung der natürlichenLebensgrundlagen und zur Lösung von Energie- und Stoffproblemen zu leisten.

Mitgliederbeiträge:Einzelmitglieder (nur Privatpersonen): CHF 100.-Kleinfirmen mit bis zu 5 Mitarbeitern: CHF 200.-Abteilungen/Gruppen und Firmen mit bis 50 Mitarbeitern: CHF 500.-Abteilungen/Gruppen und Firmen mit mehr als 50 Mitarbeitern: CHF 1’000.-

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Impressum

Layout: Empa, Sara RebsamenPrint: Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and TechnologyPhotos & Figures Provided by the authorsPrinted: 15. 5. 2013

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