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Horizon delivers the world¡¯s most power dense fuel cell system at 1.5g/W, yet its design is surprisingly simple. Horizon¡¯s system consists of a PEM fuel cell stack, cooling fans, and an electronic card integrated in a compact system casing. System reliability is increased since many mechanical parts and peripherals have been eliminated. As a result, Horizon¡¯s fuel cell system is compact, ultra-lightweight, and extremely reliable. In addition to enabling such fuel cells, Horizon¡¯s technology has also evolved towards integrating new types of high-energy dense fuel solutions that are practical to use and do not rely on compressed hydrogen. |
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Ultra-light PEM Fuel Cells: |
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Horizon 200W PEMFC |
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A hydrogen Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) based fuel cell is a device which produces electricity via electrochemical reaction of fuel (hydrogen gas) and oxygen (air), with clean water and heat as the only by-product.
The core component is called the single cell - a proton exchange catalyst coated membrane sandwiched between 2 electrodes. Hydrogen gas is fed into the anode electrode and breaks into proton and electron. As the membrane is only permeable by the positively charged hydrogen ion, the electron has to travel pass an external circuit, thus providing electricity. It then recombines with the proton and oxygen gas at the cathode electrode, producing water vapor. Layers of single cells can be connected in series with current conducting bipolar plates to create a fuel cell stack. |
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Fuel storage & supply options:
Unlike a battery which stores its chemical energy within the body, and has to be discarded or recharged when its energy depletes, one advantage of the fuel cell is the separation of the energy-carrying fuel and the power generating device. Extended runtime is thus possible: the fuel cell operates as long as fuel is supplied, fuel storage container can be hot-swappable to minimize downtime, and several fuel storage and supply options can be implemented: |
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Compressed gas cylinders:
Carbon fiber reinforced composite cylinders are compact, lightweight, and can compress and store a large amount of hydrogen gas. Charging time is fast (less than 5 minutes for a 3.0L tank) and the only additional accessory required to integrate it with fuel cells is a gas pressure regulator. The drawback of this option is the need for hydrogen refilling infrastructure and additional safety precaution when transporting a high pressure (typically up to 300bar) full tank. |
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Metal hydride cartridges:
Arguably one of the safest forms of hydrogen storage, metal hydride canisters store hydrogen at low pressure (~10bar). Hydrogen gas reacts with special metal alloys inside the canister to form metal hydrides, effectively storing hydrogen in solid lattices. Metal hydride canister is popular for its longevity (rechargeable for hundreds of cycles) and safety (low pressure charging and storage), but is relatively heavy and thus most suitable for stationary or portable applications. |
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Chemical hydride cartridges:
Fuel of choice for AEROPAKTM, chemical hydrides in solid form offer indefinite shelf storage life. Incorporated inside Horizon¡¯s hydrogen generator cartridge system, the chemical hydrides liberate hydrogen gas when water is added. The chemical hydride cartridge provides a low pressure, high energy density fuel option that is safe and convenient to store, transport, prepare and refill.
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NEW! Horizon Hydrogen Generator System:
Horizon's hydrogen generator system is a device capable of producing pure hydrogen gas on-demand. When dry chemical hydride is mixed with water in the presence of a catalyst, it generates hydrogen gas which is then purified, regulated and channeled into the fuel cell system. Optimal gas production rate and quantity are electronically adjusted by the system controller, depending on the instantaneous needs of the fuel cell system at various operating points. The hydrogen generator system and chemical hydride fuel tank are compactly integrated into the AEROPAKTM fuel cartridge, resulting in a powerful complementing fuel supply for the AEROPAKTM. The cartridge is hot-swappable, allowing extended duration usage of the fuel cell power system while minimizing downtime.
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