Hydrogen fuel cell solutions
Chloride hydrogen fuel cell UPS systems incorporate IdaTech hydrogen fuel cells as an environmentally friendly alternative to UPS batteries and diesel generators. IdaTech hydrogen fuel cells use Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology, see below for more information.
Capable of providing up to 250 Watts of continuous DC power the iGen hydrogen fuel cell power supply from IdaTech is ideal for hybrid or remote battery charging applications. This fuel cell features:
- Integrated fuel processor; liquid methanol-based fuel used to provide hydrogen
- Extended runtimes limited only by volume of liquid fuel available
The ElectraGen hydrogen fuel cell offers a cost-effective alternative to standard VRLA UPS batteries. With high reliability, predictable performance, extended runtimes and minimal maintenance requirements hydrogen fuel cells are particularly suited to telecommunications and utilities applications. This fuel cell features:
- The ability to be paralleled up to 3 units or 15 kW
- High reliability and predictability of performance
The ElectraGen XTi is an integrated fuel cell solution for turnkey backup power in remote locations. Ideal for applications requiring extended runtimes. This fuel cell features:
- Extended runtimes of up to 2 days continuous use
- Simple, fully integrated design for easy installation
What is a Hydrogen fuel cell and how does it work?
IdaTech uses PEM technology in its hydrogen fuel cells because it has demonstrated the greatest potential to achieve low cost, fast response time, high reliability and long life in a compact and light-weight package. Hydrogen fuel cell systems based on PEM fuel cell stacks are the most mature and most widely used and commonly deployed systems in the industry.
A PEM fuel cell is comprised of two adjacent chambers—the anode side and the cathode side—separated by a membrane. Hydrogen gas from the fuel processor enters the anode side of the fuel cell where the atoms react with a platinum catalyst on the membrane, releasing their electrons.
The anode chamber then becomes flooded with free electrons and with hydrogen protons (hydrogen atoms stripped of their electrons). The positively charged hydrogen protons pass through the membrane into the cathode side of the fuel cell.
The electrons exit the anode side of the fuel cell and flow into an external electrical circuit. After running through the circuit, the electrons re-enter the fuel cell on the cathode side, completing the electrical path. On the cathode side of the fuel cell, the hydrogen protons that passed through the membrane combine with the free electrons and with oxygen molecules to produce pure water and heat.