Can methanol be used in fuel cells?
Direct-methanol fuel cells or DMFCs are a subcategory of proton-exchange fuel cells in which methanol is used as the fuel. Their main advantage is the ease of transport of methanol, an energy-dense yet reasonably stable liquid at all environmental conditions.
How efficient is a methanol fuel cell?
Methanol, the fuel of DMFCs, has such advantage features as easy handling, high storage stability and high energy storage capability. The exhaust heat from fuel cell is recovered for hot water supplying for customer. The total system energy conversion efficiency is more than 80 %. It can be applied to various markets.
How does methanol fuel cell work?
It has an anode and a cathode. They are separated by a membrane. By means of an electrochemical reaction, the direct methanol fuel cell converts the fuel, i.e. methanol, into electricity in combination with oxygen. A heat engine drives a generator and thus makes the electricity usable.
How much does EFOY cost?
Cost The cost of the EFOY Fuel Cell ranges from $3,600 for the 80 model to $7,300 for the 210 model. This is still less than a typical generator installation and if you do not have room on your boat for a generator, the EFOY takes up very little space.
What are the disadvantages of methanol fuel cell?
Disadvantages
- Methanol is very toxic and highly flammable.
- Methanol is made from non-renewable fossil fuels.
- Low efficiency because methanol can pass through the available membrane materials.
What is methanol fuel cell used for?
A direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is an electrochemical energy conversion device that converts the chemical energy of liquid methanol into electrical energy directly.
Why is methanol fuel cell better than hydrogen fuel cell?
The fuel cell converts the reformate gas into electricity powering the electric motors. Compared to hydrogen-powered fuel cells, a methanol fuel cell system eliminates some of the difficult challenges linked to handling and distribution, infrastructure investments, and low volumetric energy density.
How long does an EFOY fuel cell last?
How many fuel cells are in use and are customers satisfied with the EFOY fuel cell? SFC has already sold more than 45,000 EFOY fuel cells, which are in use day in, day out. The total operating time of all units amounts to over 10 million hours.
How does EFOY fuel cell work?
EFOY fuel cells are based on DMFC (Direct Methanol Fuel Cell) technology. They convert chemical energy into electrical energy without interim stages and without much loss of efficiency. The methanol in the fuel cartridge is supplemented by oxygen from the air, and is used to produce electricity.
Can I run methanol in my car?
About Methanol Methanol can be blended with gasoline in low-quantities and used in existing road vehicles, or it can be used in high-proportion blends such as M85 in flex-fuel vehicles or M100 in dedicated methanol-fueled vehicles. Technology is also being commercialized to use methanol as a diesel substitute.
Is methanol or ethanol a better fuel?
The comparison between the decrease in HC emissions and the blended fuels indicates that methanol is more effective than ethanol. The lowest HC emissions are obtained with methanol-blended fuel (M50). When more combustion is complete, it will result in lower HC emissions.
Which fuel cell is the best?
Alkaline Fuel Cells Operating at 60-70ºC (140-158ºF), AFCs are among the most efficient type of fuel cells, reaching up to 60% efficiency and up to 87% combined heat and power. Both the US and Russian/Soviet spaceships used alkaline fuel cells to produce electricity and drinking water for astronauts.
How are methanol cartridges used in the efoy pro?
The Methanol Fuel Cartridges are specifically designed for the EFOY Pro and contain ultra pure methanol. Cartridges are safety tested, spill proof and easy to exchange and transport. This adapter is required to connect the fuel cell to the M28 fuel cartridge. The DuoCartSwitch is used to operate two methanol cartridges with one EFOY Pro fuel cell.
Where is the methanol stored in an efoy fuel cell?
EFOY Pro fuel cells are direct methanol fuel cells that are operated with the fuel methanol. The methanol is stored in EFOY fuel cartridges that have been designed especially for this purpose. They were especially designed to be used with the EFOY fuel cells, and they can be replaced easily and cleanly within seconds.
How does a direct methanol fuel cell work?
The direct methanol fuel cell fills this gap. If the solar panel does not supply enough power due to bad weather, the direct methanol fuel cell switches on and bridges the supply. Just as easy as the hybridization of the direct methanol fuel cell works, so does the exchange of the operating material. Methanol is a liquid alcohol.
How does the duocartswitch work on an efoy pro fuel cell?
The DuoCartSwitch is used to operate two methanol cartridges with one EFOY Pro fuel cell. The switching valve turns automatically from the operating cartridge to the reserve cartridge. Service Fluid may be required if your EFOY Pro has been stored for extended periods or if it has overheated.