OP-II-3

KN-4~200°C. This is based on the H 3 PO 4 -imbibed HT-MEAs developed by ADVENTtechnologies [1], which are not permeable to methanol and have proven longoperation at 200°C with minimal H 3 PO 4 loss. (ii) A reforming catalyst (e.g. Cu-Mn-O)[1], which is functional at the operating temperature of the fuel cell (i.e. 200°C)producing a CO-free reformate gas. The catalyst is deposited on the surface ofmetallic copper foam. Alternatively, it can be either present together with the Ptbasedanode electrocatalyst or deposited on the gas diffusion layer. Suchconfigurations eliminate the need for separate fuel-processing systems.Methanol is being reformed inside the anode compartment of the fuel cell at200°C producing H 2 , which is readily oxidized at the anode to produce electricity. The“waste” heat of the cell is utilized in-situ to drive the endothermic methanol reformingreaction, thus eliminating the need for heat exchangers and other voluminoussupporting equipment. The IRMFC operated efficiently for more than 72 h at 200°Cwith a current density of 263 mA cm –2 at 500 mV, when 20% CH 3 OH/30% H 2 O/He(anode feed) and pure O 2 (cathode feed) were supplied (Fig. 1). Its open circuitvoltage was 990 mV. It was interestingly observed that due to H 2 utilization/depletionat the anode the reforming reaction rate was enhanced even up to 20%. It isestimated that a sixfold increase in the system’s volume power density can beachieved as compared to the conventional combination of a reformer and a PEMFC.Challenges and OpportunitiesThe development of an IRMFC poses an ambitious technological and researchchallenge which requires the effective combination of various technologicalapproaches as regards materials development, chemical reaction engineering andstack design. It aims at opening new scientific and engineering prospects, which mayallow easier penetration of the fuel cell system in the energy market. The core ofinnovation in the IRMFC is the incorporation of an alcohol reforming catalystinto/adjacent to the anode (bi-functional anode) of the HT-PEM fuel cell. In order toobtain an economically viable solution towards the H 2 economy, low-cost materials(electrolytes, catalysts and bipolar plates) and production techniques, with easymaintenance and high durability and stability should be employed.References[1]. G. Avgouropoulos, J. Papavasiliou, M. Daletou, T. Ioannides, J. Kallitsis, S. Neophytides, Appl.Catal. B: Environ. 90 (2009) 628-632.[2]. Avgouropoulos, G., Papavasiliou, J., Daletou, M., Geormezi, M., Triantafyllopoulos, N., Ioannides,T., Kallitsis, J., and Neophytides, S., United States Patent Application No: 61/095,779.29