Reformed Methanol Fuel Cell

A reformed methanol fuel cell, or RMFC, also called an indirect methanol fuel cell, is a subcategory of proton exchange fuel cell in which methanol is first reformed into a hydrogen rich gas before being fed into the fuel cell stack, rather than being fed directly the way a direct methanol fuel cell operates. Delivering hydrogen rather than methanol to the stack gives RMFC systems higher efficiency, smaller cell stacks, less sensitivity to methanol purity and better low temperature operation, at the cost of higher operating temperatures and more sophisticated heat management. Methanol is chosen as the carrier fuel because it is hydrogen dense, can be steam reformed at relatively low temperatures of roughly 250 to 300 degrees Celsius, stays liquid across a wide range from about minus 97 to plus 65 degrees Celsius, and is biodegradable. A complete RMFC system comprises a fuel processing system, the fuel cell stack itself, a fuel cartridge, and balance of plant equipment such as pumps, compressors and controls; its waste products are carbon dioxide and water.