Location
Holiday Inn, Manatee Room C
Start Date
1-5-1997 1:00 PM
Description
This paper presents the results of an assessment of the requirements and technology for the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell as the electric power source for next-generation spacecraft, and particularly as an accepted upgrade to replace the current Orbiter alkaline fuel cell. As part of the technology assessment, a commercially available 4-kW PEM fuel cell was tested for over 400 hours at NASA-Johnson Space Center using hydrogen and oxygen as reactants. The findings of this evaluation, as well as a short summary of some test facility improvements and accomplishments as they relate to fuel cell testing in general, are presented. A short status of other items in the Orbiter PEM Fuel Cell Upgrade effort is also presented.
Paper Session III-C - Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells for the Next Generation Spacecraft Applications
Holiday Inn, Manatee Room C
This paper presents the results of an assessment of the requirements and technology for the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell as the electric power source for next-generation spacecraft, and particularly as an accepted upgrade to replace the current Orbiter alkaline fuel cell. As part of the technology assessment, a commercially available 4-kW PEM fuel cell was tested for over 400 hours at NASA-Johnson Space Center using hydrogen and oxygen as reactants. The findings of this evaluation, as well as a short summary of some test facility improvements and accomplishments as they relate to fuel cell testing in general, are presented. A short status of other items in the Orbiter PEM Fuel Cell Upgrade effort is also presented.
