High-temperature fuel cells advance case for methanol

Avoiding methanol reconversion costs could improve the fuel’s prospects as a carrier derivative for hydrogen molecules, says Advent Technologies

High-temperature proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells are capable of using methanol directly as a fuel, reducing total of cost of ownership and improving the viability of methanol as a carrier in the hydrogen economy, according to fuel cell developer and manufacturer Advent Technologies. Hydrogen is expensive and dangerous to transport in its pure form, meaning it must be compressed, liquefied, or synthesised into a derivative before it can be shipped. The conversion and reconversion costs to and from pure hydrogen can make derivatives an expensive way to transport the fuel. The ability to use methanol directly in a fuel cell rather than hydrogen removes the need for reconversion costs.