Studies of a granular aluminum anode in an alkaline fuel cell

A granular aluminum anode was investigated for use in an alkaline aluminum/hydrogen peroxide fuel cell. The fuel cell utilizes granules of aluminum (8–12 mm in diameter) as an anode, potassium hydroxide (KOH) as an anolyte and hydrogen peroxide as a catholyte. Granular anodes have a significantly higher surface area than planar surfaces, thereby resulting in higher utilization of the anode material. Polarization experiments were performed as well as closed circuit power production experiments. KOH concentrations were varied in the experiments. Polarization experiments achieved a current density of 10.02 mA/cm2 using 2 M KOH and granular aluminum with a surface area of 205.6 cm2. Power production experiments sustained a current density of 0.05 mA/cm2 using 1.5 M KOH and granular aluminum with a surface area of 59.8 cm2. Results indicate that granular metal anodes have potential for use in high energy density fuel cells.