FAQs

A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that produces electricity without combustion. The optimal energy carrier for fuel cells is hydrogen (which can be extracted for example from water, methanol, natural gas or petroleum products). When hydrogen is combined with oxygen (from air) it produces electrical energy. The conversion process is environmentally benign: only heat and water are emitted as by-products. Environmentally, hydrogen is the optimal energy carrier for fuel cells, because fuel cells that run on hydrogen have zero emissions.

By the nature of its electrochemical reaction, a fuel cell can be more than twice as efficient as an internal combustion engine. A conventional engine burns fuel to create heat and in turn converts heat into mechanical energy and finally electricity. A fuel cell produces electricity, water and heat directly from hydrogen and oxygen. Fuel cells are like batteries in that they are electrochemical devices, but unlike batteries do not need recharging and will continue to operate as long as they are provided with fuel (hydrogen).

PEM fuel cells display the highest power densities of any of the fuel cell types, which makes them particularly attractive for transportation and portable applications where minimum size and weight are required. They contain no corrosive liquid electrolyte and are robust in construction and are modular and scalable in design. They are low temperature fuel cells which usually operate below 100 degrees ^oC.

This means that unlike high temperature fuel cells such as solid oxide, which operate at ~600 degrees ^oC they can be fabricated from cheaper, less exotic materials. The low temperature of PEM fuel cells can also be an advantage when low thermal signature is desired. PEM fuel cells also have the advantage of potential application across a very wide range; from portable power at a few watts to hundreds of kilowatts for vehicular and stationary power.

Hydrogen is no more or less dangerous than other flammable fuels, including petrol, LPG and natural gas. In fact, some of hydrogen’s properties actually provide safety benefits compared to petrol or other fuels, for example it dissipates very quickly and is much less likely to explode in open air because of its high buoyancy and diffusivity. This contrasts sharply with much heavier gases such as natural gas and gasoline vapour which carry a greater danger of explosion because they hover close to the ground and do not disperse quickly enough. However, all flammable fuels must be handled responsibly. Like petrol and natural gas, hydrogen is flammable and can behave dangerously under specific conditions. Hydrogen can be handled safely when guidelines are observed and the user has an understanding of its behaviour.

Over 50 million tons of hydrogen are produced every year and hydrogen’s safety record is excellent.

Intelligent Energy’s proprietary, high-power density Evaporatively Cooled (EC) fuel cells have been designed for high volume manufacturing, whilst delivering low temperature operability and utilising simplified balance of plant. The overall result is a compact power system with fewer components, improved reliability, and reduced system cost.

Thermal management of the EC fuel cell stack utilises the benefits of the heat of vapourisation in contrast to circulating coolant through the cells, reducing systems complexity, mass and cost.

Designed to automotive standards, the technology is for example appropriate for use as a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) primary powerplant, battery electric vehicle range extender or stationary power generator.

Intelligent Energy’s Air Cooled fuel cells run on hydrogen and ambient air to produce clean DC power in a simple, cost-effective, robust and lightweight package. In the Air-Cooled fuel cell, heat from the fuel cell stack is conducted to cooling plates and removed through airflow channels, resulting in a simplified and cost-effective power solution. The AC fuel cell technology can offer class leading sub-zero start-up. These systems are typically used in a wide range of portable, unmanned air vehicle (UAV) and stationary power applications, as well as two-wheel and small vehicle range extenders.