The mission of NAIT’s Fuel Cell development program is to develop fuel generation prototypes for fuel cells to support the research, development and commercialization of fuel cells and to develop a small-scale natural gas to syngas fueling reactor to help meet the needs of the utility and distributed fuel cells. Moreover, NAIT can be a focal point for training of qualified personnel in clean energy by virtue of setting up the fuel cell and hydrogen technology curriculum at NAIT. The associated areas of research are summarized below.
1. Fuel processing systems for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC)
Dry reforming of natural gas, methanol and ethanol is a process that utilizes CO2 instead of steam to produce synthesis gas i.e. syngas (H2, O2). Subsequently, the syngas can be used as the feedstock for SOFC. The carbon dioxide that is generated during the fuel cell operation at the anode electrode can be used as the recycle gas for further production of syngas in a dry reformer. One of the key successes in dry reforming is to develop a series of effective catalysts to prevent carbon deposition on catalyst surfaces during the natural gas reforming process. The heat that is used to functionalize SOFC can be utilized to preheat the dry reformer and thereby increases the SOFC efficiency.
2. Prototype hydrogen production units
Establishing hydrogen generation facilities to manufacture prototype hydrogen generation units will position NAIT as a leader to support the research, development and commercialization of natural gas to hydrogen fueling units. The Centre will function as a production facility that will serve as a bridge between research and the marketplace for hydrogen production. The facilities enable Canadian companies involved in fuel cell and hydrogen production to cost-effectively produce prototypes that will lead to successful production and commercialization of hydrogen production stations. In the process, it will provide state-of-the art laboratories for secondary and post secondary students to learn first-hand the benefit and advantage of emerging power technologies. The 200 kW phosphoric acid fuel cells and 5 kW solid oxide fuel cells in Power Engineering division at NAIT will support the testing of such prototype hydrogen units.
4. Setting up fuel cells and hydrogen technology curriculum
The educational components of the centre will help to prepare recent high school students first entry level employment in the fuel cells and hydrogen industries, as well as entry into related associate degree programs. That, in turn, will facilitate the training of qualified personnel in alternative energy production.
The eventual goal of establishing such innovative center is to place NAIT as globally education-business collaborative-based to attract research, development and commercialization of hydrogen and fuel cells technologies.