Electrochemical Application For
Advanced Energy System Labortary.
A fuel cell is an eco-friendly energy device that generates electricity using hydrogen and oxygen, and among them, pemfc was the first to jump into commercialization because of its low operating temperature. In order to smoothly operate Pemfc and expand the market, studies related to the activation and degradation of fuel cells were conducted.Through the comparative analysis of various activation techniques, a method to improve the performance of a fuel cell more economically and efficiently was sought, and accordingly, a research was conducted to develop a degradation protocol to evaluate the durability. As a result, it is possible to contribute to the fuel cell market by conducting a study on the life of the fuel cell through the AST technique. All studies are being conducted based on experiments and modeling, and future studies on the performance and durability of fuel cells will be conducted.
Fig.1 PEMFC experimental equipment
Fig.2 Electrochemical reactions of PEMFC
Fig.3 Schematic of polymer membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) triple phase boundary (TPB)
Fig.4 Schematic of membrane degradation of fuel cell (PEMFC)
Water electrolysis is a technology that separates and generates hydrogen and oxygen by applying an electric field to water. The unit cell of the PEMWE (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Water Electrolyzer) is consists of a membrane electrode assembler (MEA), phase transfer catalyst layer (PTL), current collector, bipolar plate (or separator, flow-plate) and end plate. Since PEMWE has a higher current density than other water electrolysis methods, the electrolyzer can be miniaturized, but expensive materials are included in the catalyst, so research on reducing the hydrogen production cost by increasing the cell water electrolysis efficiency is needed. Therefore, we are conducting a study on the efficiency of water electrolysis according to the channel shape and water electrolysis operating conditions.
Conventional refrigerants are chemically stable and have excellent performance but demand for the eco-friendly natural refrigerants is increasing as global warming have become important issue.
We are developing eco-friendly, high-efficiency heat pump system utilizing electrochemical compressor with hydrogen and natural refrigerants. This device can contribute to building sustainable society by reducing greenhouse gas emissions using eco-friendly refrigerants
Electrochemical compressor is a device compress hydrogen and other gases through electrochemical reaction.
The Electrochemical compressor has low consumption, maintenance costs since it have no continuously moving parts like pistons and can perform purification and compression at the same time.
The efficiency of electrochemical compressor is about 95% and this figure is higher versus conventional mechanical compressor
To improve compressor efficiency, we have been developing hydrogen, ammonia electrochemical compressor and registered four patent of electrochemical compressor
Electrochemical Compressor System
Electrochemical Hydrogen Compressor
Electrochemical Ammonia Compressor