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In 1999, the Society of Automotive Engineers established the Fuel Cell Standards Committee (FCSC). The Committee is organized in subcommittees that address issues such as Interface, Hydrogen (H2) Quality, Safety, Performance, Emissions and Fuel Consumption, Recycling and Terminology. Since its inception the SAE/FCSC has published several recommended practices, which have drawn the attention of national and international organizations. These include SAE J2578 (Fuel Cell Vehicle Safety), SAE J2600 (Compressed H2 Surface Vehicle Refueling Devices), and SAE J2594 (Recyclability of Fuel Cell Systems). The need for having one common grade of hydrogen for all US commercial hydrogen-refueling stations for FCVs was the reason to establish the H2 Quality Task Force (HQTF) in late 2003. At the present time there is no representative US-national or international standard addressing the quality of hydrogen fuel that is acceptable for fuel cell vehicles.

The alkali metal thermal to electric converter (AMTEC) technology has grown tremendously over the past 10 years. Innovations such as wick pumping, remote condensing and multi-tube cells have advanced the technology substantially. New innovations have been identified that will further advance the technology. The internal selfheat pipe (ISHP), for example, is predicted to increase the efficiency by a full 3 points. Proof-of-principle tests have been completed, and prototype testing is about to begin. This paper will present the design concept and available test data for this new AMTEC innovation.