Grant: Engage Grants Program
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
$25,000.00
Method of compounding conductive polypropylene-graphite composite for bipolar plates of hydrogen fuel cell
FY 2016-17
Summary
Hydrogenics Corporation, one of the Canada's market leaders in providing hydrogen electrolyzers and fuel cells world-wide as clean energy alternatives to fossil fuel. Hydrogen is one of the most efficient and cost effective energy storage for excess electricity from power grid during the off-peak hours, as well as electricity produced from wind turbines and solar panel. Hydrogenics desires to substitute the current thermoset-graphite composite material with a thermoplastic-graphite composite material, with improved electrical and mechanical properties. The conductive composite must meet the performance guidelines established by the Department of Energy (DOE), for conductivity and strength. Such a composite is expected to contain in excess of 80% of conductive filler, primarily graphite powder, carbon black powder and carbon fibre or carbon nanotubes to create synergy to achieve the desired properties. Therefore, the main objective of this work is to develop cost-effective, highly loaded polypropylene-graphite composites suitable for bipolar plates using a combination of high shear intensity mixer and single screw extruder. The composite will be produced in a two-step process: a) intensive dry blending of powder PP and powder fillers using high intensity mixer, and b) melt processing of the blended mixture in a single screw extruder. Processing and adhesion promoting aids will be used to improve and achieve the required electrical and mechanical properties. Upon successful production of proof of concept prototypes, Hydrogenics will scale up the production of such material, either through in-house compounding facility or through sub-contracting to available custom compounders in Ontario or other provinces in Canada. Successful integration of the newly developed material and process from this NSERC Engage project would translate into competitiveness and profitability of Hydrogenics. Hydrogen fuel cell market is at the crossroad of mass demand, and success will result in economy of scale and mass production.
Program
Engage Grants Program
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
505802-2016
Name nom
Rizvi, Ghaus
Department département
Automotive, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Organization id
19222
Institution établissement
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2016
Competition year année de concours
2016
Award amount
25000
Program id
EGP
Program name en
Engage Grants Program
Program name fr
Programme de subventions d'engagement partenariat
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
1553
Committee name en
Ontario Internal Decision Committee
Committee name fr
Comité de décision interne pour l'Ontario
Area of application code
305
Area of application group en
Energy resources
Area of application group fr
Ressources d'énergie
Area of application en
Energy storage and conversion
Area of application fr
Stockage et transformation de l'énergie
Research subject code
2007
Research subject group en
Materials science and technology
Research subject group fr
Science et technologie des matériaux
Research subject en
Composites
Research subject fr
Matériaux composites
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Method of compounding conductive polypropylene-graphite composite for bipolar plates of hydrogen fuel cell
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
Hydrogenics Corporation, one of the Canada's market leaders in providing hydrogen electrolyzers and fuel cells world-wide as clean energy alternatives to fossil fuel. Hydrogen is one of the most efficient and cost effective energy storage for excess electricity from power grid during the off-peak hours, as well as electricity produced from wind turbines and solar panel. Hydrogenics desires to substitute the current thermoset-graphite composite material with a thermoplastic-graphite composite material, with improved electrical and mechanical properties. The conductive composite must meet the performance guidelines established by the Department of Energy (DOE), for conductivity and strength. Such a composite is expected to contain in excess of 80% of conductive filler, primarily graphite powder, carbon black powder and carbon fibre or carbon nanotubes to create synergy to achieve the desired properties. Therefore, the main objective of this work is to develop cost-effective, highly loaded polypropylene-graphite composites suitable for bipolar plates using a combination of high shear intensity mixer and single screw extruder. The composite will be produced in a two-step process: a) intensive dry blending of powder PP and powder fillers using high intensity mixer, and b) melt processing of the blended mixture in a single screw extruder. Processing and adhesion promoting aids will be used to improve and achieve the required electrical and mechanical properties. Upon successful production of proof of concept prototypes, Hydrogenics will scale up the production of such material, either through in-house compounding facility or through sub-contracting to available custom compounders in Ontario or other provinces in Canada. Successful integration of the newly developed material and process from this NSERC Engage project would translate into competitiveness and profitability of Hydrogenics. Hydrogen fuel cell market is at the crossroad of mass demand, and success will result in economy of scale and mass production.
