Project Info

Development of hybrid fuel cell/engine power generator for >70% efficiency

This project could introduce a paradigm shift in the fuel cell field by demonstrating that a hybrid fuel cell system can drive both radically lower costs and increase electric efficiency beyond 70 percent for small-scale, distributed power applications. At 100 kilowatts, this system would be almost double the efficiency of any other generators – large combined-cycle power plants at 500-megawatt scale are the only things that come close, and yet are still some 10 percentage points lower in efficiency. This project has strong industry collaborations, and it is development and systems integration at a meaningful scale. Because our commercialization partner [Kohler] is on this program from the start, it will help accelerate moving university-led research achievements toward adoption in the marketplace. The student will have opportunities for both hardware and modeling experience.

More Information

http://www.minesnewsroom.com/news/mines-awarded-3m-arpa-e-fuel-cell-research

Grand Engineering Challenges: Not applicable

Student Preparation

Qualifications

Have taken or Enrolled in MEGN 461 Thermodynamics II.

Time Commitment

40-50

Skills/Techniques Gained

Working in a large team. Hardware/test rig development and thermodynamic modeling activities will be needed in the area of fuel cells and engines.

Mentoring Plan

Meetings once per week. Participation in group meetings and closer supervision by senior graduate students and post-doc. Daily supervision in the lab.

Primary Contacts

Initially, myself and Prof. Sullivan. As project gets underway, I see more transition to working with senior graduate students.