V.C.1 Complex Coolant Fluid for PEM Fuel Cells

Fuel cell developers are currently using water or glycol/water mixture with a de-ionizing filter in the coolant loop. The filter needs to be replaced frequently to maintain the low electrical conductivity of the coolant. This method significantly increases the operating cost of the fuel cell. PEM fuel cell developers also use stainless steel and polymers to minimize the amount of ions coming into the fluid. Due to light weight, lower cost and better thermal conductivity, aluminum will definitely replace stainless steel radiators in the future fuel cells. The de-ionizing filters used today will not be able to handle the excessive amount of aluminum ions in the fluid if the coolant itself is not designed to substantially buffer the ion build-up. Therefore, a different approach for the fuel cell coolant is being pursued in this project.