Performance study of power density in PEMFC for power generation from solar energy

A study has been carried-out on power density in the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) for its application for solar power generation. It involves a fuel cell approach assisted with specific electrocatalysts to process special chemical coupling (2-propanol/acetone/H(2)) for generating the power. This knowledge will be useful for designing the solar power generation system based on this special chemical coupling enabling to use low-grade solar heat (<100 degrees C). For this purpose, a wide study has been conducted in the PEMFC using different catalytic electrodes at various orientations (0 degrees, 45 degrees and 90 degrees). The investigations were carried-out at different temperatures from 45 degrees C to 60 degrees C using liquid oxidant mixtures in different proportions. The maximum power density attained was 1.78 mW cm(-2) at 60 degrees C. The PEMFC based technique for solar power generation may prove to be a promising option to harness this everlasting source of sun's energy in the coming future. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.