Deuterium isotope separation by polymer electrolyte fuel cells connected in series. (7th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Matsushima, Hisayoshi; Ogawa, Ryota; Ueda, Mikito
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 44:Number 29(2019)
• Page Start: 15436
• Page End: 15440
• Publication Date: 2019-06-07
• Subjects: Hydrogen isotope separation -- Fuel cell -- Water electrolysis -- CEFC -- Energy consumption; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.04.074
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: The separation of hydrogen isotopes has important applications for fundamental science and nuclear engineering. This study investigates isotope separation by stacked polymer electrolyte fuel cells that form part of a combined electrolysis and fuel cell (CEFC) system. Fuel gas containing deuterium (D) was generated by water electrolysis and passed through three fuel cells (FCs) connected in series. Increasing the number of operating FCs in the series greatly improved D separation, but had only a modest impact on power consumption. When all three FCs were individually controlled, the separation efficiency depended on the power condition in each FC. At high current the separation factor of the CEFC system reached over 100 owing to the relationship between fuel gas utilization and separation efficiency. Highlights: Three Fuel cells stacked in serial could separate deuterium from the H–D mixture gas evolved from water electrolysis. Separation efficiency per power of combined electrolysis and fuel cells was discussed. A high separation factor over 100 was marked by independently controlling PEMFCs.