HyRunCell
 |
Development and Demonstration of a High-Performance Fuel Cell with Innovative Composite Materials in a Temperature Range up to 130°C
The objective of the R&D project HyRunCell is to develop a PEM fuel cell stack for a temperature range up to 130 °C. In order to achieve this goal, especially the proton conductivity and mechanical stability of ion conductive polymers must be significantly extended. Therefore, composite membranes based on perfluorosulfonic acid polymers and suitable additives are developed, and new manufacturing techniques for assembling composite membranes and cell electrodes are established. Appropriate membrane-electrode assemblies are finally selected and incorporated into a fuel cell stack at the end of the project. The system is designed to be highly scalable in a range from 30 kW to 100 kW. The service life should be at least 25,000 hours. The PEM fuel cell stacks will later be used e.g. in combination with Li-ion batteries in hybrid systems in heavy-duty applications.
The main focus of the Univerity of Bayreuth is synthesis and characterization of the functionality of those novel additives, which are incorporated into the ionomer membrane and extensively tested. The objective is to toughen up the proton conductivity and water retention at temperatues above the boiling point so that a suitable cell performance and durability is achieved in the cell stack. Therefore, the composite membranes are characterized and tested in short- and long-term studies regarding stability and performance.
In addition to materials and system development in cooperation with the Helmholtz institute HI-ERN in Erlangen, the project focuses on subsequent industrial production of the components (Dyneon GmbH/3M), and application and scalability of the technology (Freudenberg Sealing Technologies).
Project Profile
Duration: 15.08.2019 - 14.08.2022
Funding: Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy
Project Partners:
Contact: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thorsten Gerdes, Dr.-Ing. Andreas Rosin, Maximilian Kutter