Background

Fuel cells use oxygen from the air to generate energy so they are susceptible to damage from contaminated air. It is therefore imperative that the air quality is continuously monitored in real time for harmful contaminants. The fuel cell control system is informed of dangerous conditions in order to protect the fuel cell.

Technology Overview

Researchers in the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (HNEI) at the University of Hawaii invented an Environmental Sensor Array (ESA) that can be integrated into any stationary or mobile fuel cell platform, creating a “smart” fuel cell capable of sensing and reacting to changing environmental conditions that could be detrimental to fuel cell performance and longevity. The ESA extends the capability of fuel cells to reliably operate in harsh environmental conditions and expands the lifetime of the fuel cell. The system consists of an array of electrochemical and environmental sensors (temperature, pressure, relative humidity) that monitor real‐time environmental conditions and air contaminant concentration: i) in the environment from which the fuel cell air supply is drawn, and ii) at the entrance to the cathode side of the fuel cell (post‐air filter). Data is fed into pre‑programmed protocols that are capable of putting the fuel cell in protective shutdown mode if atmospheric conditions threaten the health of the fuel cell, while simultaneously alerting the operator to the hazardous environmental conditions. The ESA system also estimates the onboard filter use in real‑time using the environmental data collected to provide a continuous estimate of remaining lifetime of the onboard air filter.

Further Details

Learn more from the inventors in an updated interview.

Benefits

Protects the fuel cell power plant from air contaminant exposure
Extends the reliability and lifetime of the fuel cell
Increases the longevity, reliability and effectiveness of fuel cell powered vehicles
Decreases operational, maintenance and replacement costs of fuel cell stacks, air filters and spare parts which can be expensive, time‑consuming and put vehicles out of service for costly, extended periods of time
Improves fuel cell technology integration

Applications

Heavy‑duty vehicles used in agriculture operations, construction and mining
Material‑handling equipment
Light‑duty electric fuel cell vehicles
Stationary fuel cell back‑up systems in industrial applications
The ESA is in use in Fuel Cell‑Electric Buses (FCEB) in the County of Hawaii public transportation fleet

Opportunity

Commercial Development partners
Industry Collaborations
Out‑Licensing Opportunity

Environmental Sensor Array Protects Fuel Cells

Patents

IP Status

Seeking