Scope and Objectives

Broad objective: Development of PEM fuel cell system suitable for automobile applications in the temperature ranges from room temperature to 85 oC. Specific objectives: Development of efficient flow field design capable of delivering uniform performances Development of light weight bipolar plate system for the stack Development of MEA Development of indigenous fuel cell stack Development of balance of plant (BOP) Integration of BOP with the stack

Deliverables

Three different prototype of fuel cell is planned to delivered as given below: Sl. No. Particulars Prototype1 Prototype2 Prototype3 1 No. of cells 5 24 175 2 Rated power (kW): 0.6 3.0 20.0 3 Op. Voltage V/cell 0.5 0.5 0.5 4 Op. Current (A/cm2) 0.4 0.375 0.35 5 Stack Current (A) 280 262.5 245 6 Vol. power (kW/kg) 0.5 0.7 1 7 Grav. power (kW/L) 0.6 0.7 0.8 8 Reactants H2 & Air H2 & Air H2 & Air 9 Humidification No No No 10 Coolant Liquid Liquid Liquid 11 Op. Prs. bar (abs) 1.5 1.5 1.5 12 Op. Temp.(oC) 50-70 50-70 50-70

Scientific Output

Developed in-house MEA design with IIT Bombay facility Nozzleless electrode coating machine is used Coating is optimized based on Ink flow rate Nozzle frequency Air pressure Nozzle height from GDL Factorial optimization is used for obtaining optimum coating parameters MEA optimized based on the Ink flow rate, Nozzle frequency, Air pressure, Nozzle height from GDL as shown in below Figure 8 and the ranges for different parameters

Results and outcome till date

Scaled up MEA is fabricated and tested in a single cell. Scaled up bipolar plate is fabricated

Societal benefit and impact anticipated

Next steps

The bipolar plate is designed and 20 bipolar plates are fabricated. As the next step, a short stack of 10 cells is planned to fabricate and test the performances.

Publications and reports

1

Patents

Scholars and Project Staff

1 Engineers 1 JRF 1 Technical Assistant

Challenges faced

No MNRE funding received. Hence, it is not sure how to go ahead. Without the funding clarity, it is very difficult to plan the expenditure.