Benchmark Analysis of Bipolar Plates and Ionomer Membrane Production Costs for PEFC fuel cell stacks

摘要

At the dawn of fuel cell commercialisation, cost considerations become the decisive factor for a successful market launch. The following contribution addresses two aspects of PEFC stack costs. First, it compares the syntheses of promising membrane polymers and, second, it elucidates cost effects occurring in the production of graphite composite bipolar elements. Materials costs for chemical educts are balanced for five different ionomers and represented in terms of euro per kg and euro per m~2. Additionally, an estimate is given of the complexity of the chemical plant needed for production. The five ionomers are compared. The second part of this work shows that moulded bipolar plates can be produced at a cost of 10-20 euros per kW in the case of advanced fuel cell stacks. Additional costs for overheads, profits and taxes have to be added corresponding to company and market conditions.