Predicted Emissions from a Methanol-Fueled “Electrochemical Automobile Engine” Based on a PEM Fuel Cell 952374
A simulation of a “fuel cell engine” (FCE) based on a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel-cell stack was developed using a process simulation software package. Rates of emissions of unburned methanol, formaldehyde, CO and NOx were calculated based on chemical equilibria. The predicted rates of emissions for unburned methanol, formaldehyde and CO were found to all be less than 1 μg/km. This is considerably less than has been reported in the literature but represents a theoretical limit which should be achievable as effective catalytic-combustion systems are developed for hydrogen/methanol fueled burners.
The worst-case rate of NOx emissions was shown to be less than 0.03 g/km (0.05 g/mi.). It was found that increasing the rate of heat transfer in the steam reformer, which converts the methanol to a hydrogen-rich gas, significantly reduced the rate of NOx emission due to the lower burner temperatures which could be used.
The results indicate that, in terms of emissions reduction, a methanol fueled FCE is an excellent long-term alternative to the ICE.
Citation: Amphlett, J., Mann, R., and Peppley, B., "Predicted Emissions from a Methanol-Fueled “Electrochemical Automobile Engine” Based on a PEM Fuel Cell," SAE Technical Paper 952374, 1995, https://doi.org/10.4271/952374. Download Citation
Author(s):
John C. Amphlett, Ronald F. Mann, Brant A. Peppley
Affiliated:
Royal Military College of Canada
Pages: 8
Event:
1995 SAE International Fall Fuels and Lubricants Meeting and Exhibition
ISSN:
0148-7191
e-ISSN:
2688-3627
Also in:
Alternative Fuels Emissions and Technology-SP-1115
Related Topics:
Fuel cells
Methanol
Heat transfer
Hydrogen fuel
Emissions
SAE MOBILUS
Subscribers can view annotate, and download all of SAE's content.
Learn More »
