AFC Energy’s alkaline fuel cell technology works by the electrochemical combination of hydrogen and oxygen in a non-combustion process. In doing so it produces electricity, heat and water. Electrical generation will be continuous while fuel cells are provided with a continuous source of hydrogen and oxygen (from air) to sustain the fuel cell reaction.
Alkaline fuel cells’ excellent fuel conversion efficiency and reliability have previously been used on mission critical applications such as those executed by NASA on the Apollo-series missions and on the Space Shuttle, as well as the Arianne and Russian space missions. Its uses are now being expanded as part of global efforts to decarbonise the global economy, with net-zero 2050 as a key long-term goal.
A key feature in the operation of an alkaline fuel cell is the notable role that the Hydroxyl group (OH– ion) contributes to the successful operation of the cell. The importance of the Hydroxyl group is true irrespective of whether it is a liquid electrolyte fuel cell or a solid anionic exchange membrane fuel cell.
In tribute to the Hydroxyl group, AFC Energy uses the HydroX-Cell(L)TM and HydroX-Cell(S)TM terminology to define our fuel cell products.
AFC Energy’s anionic exchange membrane technology, known as AlkaMemTM , also has a further range of potential uses for industry and remains in development at its Research & Development facilities at Dunsfold.