New VW fuel cell is hot - literally

Researchers at Volkswagen have developed what they say is a new type of high temperature fuel cell (HTFC) that could pave the way for an affordable fuel cell-powered vehicle, suitable for everyday driving, by 2020.

The HTFC system eliminates the numerous disadvantages of existing low temperature fuel cells (LTFC), and courtesy of a new, high temperature membrane and electrodes, will enable significantly more compact, cheaper and more efficient fuel cell systems, the company says.

LTFC systems are operated at a membrane temperature of approximately 80 degrees Celsius. If the temperature greatly exceeds this value, fuel cell performance breaks down and irreparable damage is done to the cell. This is why LT fuel cell vehicle prototypes – should they be able to pass driving test cycles similar to a combustion engine – place high requirements on a cooling system, and become very expensive. In addition, in an LT system the supply of hydrogen gas and air must be continuously humidified, because otherwise the production of energy will break down. This humidification also takes space, weight and money.

The high temperature membrane developed by Volkswagen can supposedly, in combination with newly-designed electrodes, be ‘driven’ at temperatures of up to 160 degrees at the same output of power. A medium operating temperature of 120 degrees is intended for vehicle operation, and this is without additional humidification. Because a simpler cooling system and water management is sufficient, it reduces the need for space, weight and money.

In a statement of uncharacteristic confidence for researchers, scientists at VW declare that they have, "for the most part, now solved the electrode problem." Their new HTFC cells are being developed and tested at Volkswagen's Technology Center in Isenbüttel, specially constructed for the research of alternative drive systems.

The company plans to have its first research vehicles powered by HTFC cells on the road in 2010.

For more information:

www.vw.com