Scientists at the University of Delaware have developed a method to efficiently remove carbon dioxide from the air using technology from fuel cells and, in doing so, help solve a roadblock to adopting fuel cell technology. The research team work with hydroxide exchange membrane (HEM) fuel cells that convert hydrogen to water and produce electricity. These fuel cells are quite prone to contamination with CO2 naturally occurring in the air, which can reduce their efficiency by 20% or more. The HEM fuel cells were literally sucking the CO2 right out of the air.
That gave the team the idea to use an HEM like membrane system to remove the CO2 before it goes to the fuel cell. Wires are embedded into the fuel cell and they essentially short circuit the membrane. In the presence of hydrogen, the CO2 flows right through the membrane leaving air that can be sent to the fuel cell to generate power. The filter can remove up to 99% of the CO2 from the air.
In addition to improving fuel cell efficiency, the technology can be used to remove CO2 from enclosed spaces – like spacecraft, submarines, and even airplanes. A filter about the size of a can of soda can process 10 liters of air per minute (about 0.35 cfm). Perhaps one day the technology will allow for the efficient removal of CO2 from power plants, automobiles, and even from the atmosphere. – Steve Terry, DTC HVAC & Refrigeration Instructor
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