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Based on the existing data, this study hypothesizes that the quality of waterproduced by modern polymer electrolyte (PEM) fuel cells is higher than typical tap waters andcomplies with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) regulations. To validate this hypothesis, research was done to analyze the quality of water samples collected from six hydrogen fuel cells inNorth America and to compare the data to municipal water quality parameters and USEPAmaximum contaminant levels (MCLs). Water samples were obtained from six laboratory scale PEMFCs operated at researchcenters across the United States. The exhaust water generated at the cathode and the inlet waterused for humidification of the hydrogen (where applicable) were collected for analysis. Fenton's reagent leaching test (Collier et al. 2006; Healey et al., 2005), which simulatesthe most severe conditions to which a membrane may be exposed inside a fuel cell, and thusyields the maximum water contamination from membrane chemical degradation, was performedon a one of the most widely used fuel cell membranes - Nafion 111-IP (Ion Power Inc.). The major anions, pH, and TOC of the leachates were analyzed.The water quality analysis consisted of measuring pH (Beckman 250), conductivity(Thermo Orion 130A), total organic carbon (Shimadzu 5050A TOC), and the concentrations ofthe major anions and cations using ion chromatography (Dionex DX-120) and inductivelycoupled plasma mass spectroscopy (Thermo Electron Element 2), respectively. Includes 11 references, tables.

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Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 11/01/2008 Number of Pages: 4File Size: 1 file , 770 KB