Global Thermoelectric - SOFC Fuel cells (GLE:TSE) Message Board

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Gold/Mining/Energy : Global Thermoelectric - SOFC Fuel cells (GLE:TSE)

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To: marcos who wrote (643)	4/17/1999 10:28:00 PM
From: Gulo	Read Replies (1) of 6016

Marcos/re energy density This is my understanding of why GLE's SOFC is so powerful: GLE's cell uses a ceramic membrane. By running the cell at 600+ degrees, hydrogen nuclei (protons) are stripped from natural gas (CH4) and enter the membrane to pick up electrons from the oxygen on the other side. The rate at which electricity is generated is proportional to the rate at which the protons can be generated and pass through the membrane. Ceramic membranes have been much less permeable than the type of membrane seen in PEM fuel cells. On the other hand, they can tolerate much higher temperatures. Things happen faster at higher temperatures. GLE's major breakthough relates to the composition of the ceramic. The fact that it can generate power at lower temps means it is much more conductive than previous technology would allow. It also means that it will pump out a LOT more power at the higher temps. GLE's cells have been able to generate electricity at the rate of almost 5000 watts per square meter since last March (i.e., a year ago). I'm not sure how much their recent work has improved that. To put this in perspective, one horse power is about 750 watts (746). The membranes are stacked, so a 10 layer stack with 10 cm X 10 cm (4" X 4") plates would generate almost 500 watts (2/3 HP). A ten-layer foot-square stack could power your lawnmower (4.5 HP). As it is, GLE's cell is close to an order of magnitude more powerful than previous experimental ceramic fuel cells of which I am aware (there may be others that I am not familiar with). The trick now is to see if they can make the ceramic last. By running at lower temps, they may have already solved that one. AARG! I wish it was Monday! ae

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