(Invited) Regenerative Fuel Cell System Utilizing a High Differential Pressure Water Electrolysis Technology
Authors: Haryu Eiji , Takayanagi Tomohiro , Kataoka Yohei , Kojima Shuichiro , Mitsuta Naoki 
Published: September 2023

The expansion of manned activities in space requires energy system technology that utilizes sunlight, and hydrogen fuel cells are one such means. By electrolyzing water with sunlight, energy is stored with oxygen and hydrogen, and electricity is generated by fuel cells. The generated water can be recycled, and energy can be stored and supplied without external replenishment. This is commonly called a regenerative fuel cell. In the space domain, such energy systems must be compact and lightweight, and gas must be stored under high pressure. However, mechanical compressors that are generally used for compressing are heavy, and there are also issues of vibration and noise.

Since the 1990s, Honda has worked on the development of high-differential-pressure water electrolysis technology that generate hydrogen from renewable energy and compress without a mechanical compressor, in parallel with the development of fuel cell technology. High-differential-pressure water electrolysis is a technology that generates high pressure hydrogen by moving the protons generated by electrolysis to the cathode through the Proton exchange membrane (PEM) . The energy required is only the potential generated by the difference in hydrogen concentration, which is superior to small mechanical compressors whose efficiency is reduced by friction loss. However, a large differential pressure is generated across the PEM because only one side is at a high pressure. Honda has achieved a maximum pressure increase of 70 MPa by using its own structure. Moreover, this principle can be applied not only to the generation and pressurization of hydrogen, but also to oxygen. Honda is working on the development of RFC technology that integrates these hydrogen technologies with the aim of applying them not only to sustainability on Earth, but also to the space domain. Currently, we are undertaking a JAXA project and are promoting the production of a breadboard model.

The feature of Honda's RFC technology is that it applies high-differential-pressure water electrolysis technology, not only to generate oxygen and hydrogen, but also to pressurize each gas. By not using a mechanical compressor, it is possible to downsize the system, and it is also no vibration or noise. Utilizing the characteristics of this technology, we are planning to build an energy system that can store energy at high density and apply it to various manned missions.

Honda's RFC consists of the high-differential-pressure water electrolysis system that simultaneously electrolyzes water and pressurizes oxygen, a Electrochemical hydrogen compressor system (EHC system) that electrochemically pressurizes the hydrogen and a fuel cell system. In the electrolysis stack, oxygen is generated and compressed to the target pressure by the differential pressure water electrolysis. The generated hydrogen is sent to the EHC stack that also applies the technology of high-differential pressure water electrolysis, where the hydrogen is pressurized. As a result, both oxygen and hydrogen gases were generated and compressed without a mechanical compressor. For the fuel cell system, the compact and highly efficient fuel cell technology that has been developed for FCVs is applied. When the fuel cell is used on the ground, oxygen is supplied from the atmosphere, but in space RFC it is necessary to generate electricity using pure oxygen and to circulate the system. A dedicated circulating FC system was constructed to achieve stable power generation. The water produced by power generation is used in the next water electrolysis cycle, and the proof of principle as RFC has been completed. In addition to these basic functions, for space application, we must address issues not found on Earth, such as heat management in a vacuum, radiation, and vibrations during launch. Starting with the lunar exploration mission scheduled for 2030, Honda will develop this technology for the spread of manned activities.

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