European Regenerative Fuel Cell Technology for Space Use FRANCIS BARON, RALPH PHILIPPI & WERNER TILLMETZ Summary Technologically mature and highly efficient electrolyzers and fuel cells are necessary for energy storage and supply in space. These were investigated in two studies performed by Dornier (funded by ESTEC European regenerative fuel cell systems). The technologies considered are: immobile alkaline electrolyte (KOH) systems; proton exchange membrane (PEM) systems; mixed systems with KOH immobilized fuel cell and PEM electrolyzer and; mobile alkaline electrolyte (KOH) systems. A comparison of the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of these systems is given. Emphasis has been put on comparing the performance, efficiency and mass of these systems. The immobile KOH system and the mixed system stand out as being most suitable. Introduction Regenerative fuel cell systems (RFCSs) serve primarily for the storage of electrical energy, gained from solar energy (e.g. via photovoltaic or solar dynamic processes). Electrical power is supplied to an electrolyzer for the production of hydrogen and oxygen from water. These are stored, and later supplied to a fuel cell during eclipse for electrical energy production (Fig. 1).
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