MEMS fuel cell system for portable power source: Integration of methanol reformer, PROX, and fuel cell

MEMS fuel cell system was designed and fabricated for a portable power source in the present study. The system consists of a methanol reformer, a partial oxidation (PROX) reactor, and a fuel cell. Methanol reformer is a subsystem to produce hydrogen, consisting of a preheater, vaporizing/reforming channel, and a combustor. All components were fabricated using MEMS fabrication technologies integrated with catalyst coating processes. Performance of the MEMS fuel cell system was measured with the optimal conditions of reformer/PROX. The power density was 220 mW/cm²r when the potential was 0.65 V. The performance was low compared to the result for pure hydrogen because the feed at the fuel cell included undesired CO, CO₂, and N₂.