| This project successfully demonstrated the installation and use of a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) hydrogen-air fuel cell as the hydrogen utilization device in the StarFuel System. This patented system uniquely uses unsteady power from the sun, through the use of a photovoltaic array to supply electrical energy to three solid polymer electrolyte (SPERTM) electrolyzers. The hydrogen generated from these electrolyzers, is then stored as a solid metal hydride in two Ergenics ST-45 metal hydride tanks. Hydrogen can then be discharged from any of the two tanks and utilized by a fuel cell. On April 3, 2000, the fuel cell was successfully supplied hydrogen from the hydride tanks thus completing the original concept of the StarFuel System.; In addition to this successful run, the hydrogen utilization module underwent several modifications including the removal of the compressed oxygen tank. This new fuel cell, which has the ability to obtain oxygen directly from ambient air, made it no longer necessary to store the compressed bottle of oxygen which improves the overall safety of the StarFuel System. Due to different operating requirements, slight modifications were made to the worksheets in the data acquisition system as well the electrical wiring of the hydrogen utilization module. |
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