Alkaline fuel cells as clean power sources

摘要

Alkaline fuel cells, reliable enough to be used for space applications, are finally being recognised as the most realistic zero emissions power systems for road traction. The alkaline cell is developed, simple to operate with a built in coolingsystem and offers excellent reliability. The alkaline fuel cell is inexpensive to manufacture with low material costs.The paper will describe the development and operation of alkaline fuel cells, installed as on-board chargers on a range of rapidly re-fuelled but zero emission electric vehicles. The performance of the basic system and the electrochemical improvementsthin have already been achieved by the adoption of modem catalysts will be highlighted. System packaging, with the results achieved so flu', will also be described. The immediate potential of the system to satisfy the technical and economic requirementsfor an onboard traction buttery charger in vehicles operating within a limited geographical area will be demonstrated.