SwRI: Fuel Cell Integration and Evaluation

	The basic no-moving-parts simplicity of fuel cells promises high reliability. In some applications, fuel cells require ancillary equipment such as manifolds, blowers, heat exchangers, humidifiers, condensers, valves, and filters.
	Three 5 kW Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells
	Three 5 kW Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells

Systems development and integration for fuel cell use in motive capacities as well as for stationary power generation are developed by the advanced vehicle technology group at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). The advanced vehicle technology group is actively involved in the fuel cell community of scientists and engineers at SwRI.

Fuel Cell Integration

A systems approach for each specific fuel cell application enables program goals and design parameters to be specified early in a project. Fuel cell integration requires consideration of not only the stack itself, but all extraneous components and systems in the energy generation loop. 

Fuel Cell Experience

The advanced vehicle technology group experience includes vehicle system design and installation for a fuel-cell hybrid truck, with current projects focusing on a completely electric-powered motive source. Engineers are also familiar with stationary fuel cell applications, in which fuel cell stack electric output is hooked up directly to the electric power grid and target power-consuming buildings and equipment.

For more information about fuel cell integration and evaluation capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Joe Redfield at jredfield@swri.org or call (210) 522-3729.