SFC fuel cell passes US Army tests
G erman-based SFC Smart Fuel Cell, which is developing and marketing direct methanol fuel cell products for mobile and off-grid power applications, reports that its new FC-250 power source has passed rigorous tests by the US Army's Operational Test Command (OTC) at Fort Hood in Texas.
The OTC tests equipment, systems and technology in realistic operational situations, to determine whether they meet mission requirements in a variety of environments over extended periods.
The 250 W fuel cell, based on SFC's commercialized EFOY technology, supports these tests by providing a power source for OTC data acquisition systems in a robust, reliable, compact and lightweight unit. According to SFC, the FC-250 is the most powerful fuel cell it has yet delivered. The product has been ruggedized for the Army, and can endure high temperatures and withstand being dropped.
While batteries need to be replaced at least daily, the FC-250 provides 250 W for up to 100 h autonomously running on a single 28 liter (7.4 gal) cartridge. This can be replaced easily by one soldier, which significantly reduces logistics costs. The FC-250 is also a platform that will find further use in industrial applications.
The recently completed first phase of the threephase project included MIL-SPEC tests, product improvements and operational tests, and will be followed by low-and full-rate production phases.