Innovating Works

EMPOWER

Financiado
European methanol powered fuel cell CHP
In the EMPOWER project a methanol fuelled 5 kWe mini-CHP system based on HTPEMFC technology is developed, manufactured and validated in a relevant environment. The system efficiency over 50% (DC, LHV) is achieved with novel ideas... In the EMPOWER project a methanol fuelled 5 kWe mini-CHP system based on HTPEMFC technology is developed, manufactured and validated in a relevant environment. The system efficiency over 50% (DC, LHV) is achieved with novel ideas of thermal integration with a two-stage reformer setup and by using thermoelectric generators (TEG), utilising the high temperature heat of HTPEMFC stack. An aqueous phase reformer (APR) for methanol pre-reforming is applied for the first time in a commercial scale HTPEMFC system. The use of APR and its thermal integration in the FC system enables efficient utilisation of the stack waste heat and enables reformer efficiency approaching 95%. The best available catalysts will be screened and adapted for the reformer, both for the APR and for the 2nd stage reformer, which employs commercialised reformer technology from project partner Catator and recently developed methanol-reforming catalyst from partner University of Porto. The system efficiency is further improved by increasing the fuel utilization to above 95% in the HTPEMFC stack. This is enabled by improving anode gas flow distribution in the cells as well as improving the stack end plates. The new end plate design will also enable stack pressurising and improving stack efficiency over 55 %. The improvements in the HTPEM system design for mini-CHP use are validated in relevant environment, coupled to the heating and power system of a detached house, so that reliable data of the operation and stability can be generated. The accelerated test will be carried out for a period of 6 months and for at least 2,000 h of operation. Lastly, the project includes planning for scaling both the reformer solution and CHP system to 50-100 kWe size, including the addition of expanders. The technical work is complemented with a business analysis, including all the relevant elements of the methanol FC value chain, for the use of the developed technology in micro-CHP, CHP and maritime sectors. ver más
30/11/2023
VTT
1M€
Perfil tecnológico estimado
Duración del proyecto: 47 meses Fecha Inicio: 2019-12-05
Fecha Fin: 2023-11-30

Línea de financiación: concedida

El organismo H2020 notifico la concesión del proyecto el día 2023-11-30
Línea de financiación objetivo El proyecto se financió a través de la siguiente ayuda:
FCH-02-7-2019: Development of highly efficient and flexible mini CHP fuel cell system based on HTPEMFCs
Cerrada hace 5 años
Presupuesto El presupuesto total del proyecto asciende a 1M€
Líder del proyecto
TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY No se ha especificado una descripción o un objeto social para esta compañía.
Perfil tecnológico TRL 4-5