Why is it in the news?
- ISRO successfully tested a 100 W Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Power System (FCPS) on the orbital platform POEM3, launched aboard PSLV-C58 on January 1, 2024.
More about the news
- Its objective is to evaluate Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEM FC) functionality in space and gather data for designing systems for future missions.
- During a brief test on POEM, the system generated 180 W of power using hydrogen and oxygen gases stored in high-pressure vessels.
- Offered extensive data on the performance of static and dynamic systems within the power system, providing insights into the underlying physics.
- With India proposing a space station by 2035, the Fuel Cell Power System (FCPS) payload could find applications in this ambitious space project.
| About Hydrogen Fuel Cells
· Generate electricity directly from hydrogen and oxygen gases, producing pure water and heat as byproducts. · Operate on electrochemical principles, akin to batteries, as opposed to combustion reactions in conventional generators. |
About Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEM FC)
- Also known as proton exchange membrane fuel cells.
- Utilize a proton-conducting polymer membrane as the electrolyte, typically using hydrogen as fuel.
- Operates at relatively low temperatures and can quickly vary output to meet changing power demands.
- Mainly developed for transport applications and also explored for stationary and portable fuel-cell applications.
