The hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cell (HEMFC) is a promising alternative to the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) and offers cost savings in stack component materials. In this study, we determine and analyze the cost of HEMFC systems for light-duty vehicle applications for the first time by developing a comprehensive HEMFC system model. More specifically, (i) we analyze the volumetric and cost-based activity of state-of-the-art carbon-supported precious metal (PM)-containing and PM-free oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) electrocatalysts. Based on the incorporation of the activity of the ORR–HOR electrocatalyst pairs into the HEMFC system cost analysis, we conclude that PM-containing PdMo/C and Ru₇Ni₃/C are the best ORR and HOR electrocatalysts for implementation in HEMFC systems; (ii) we perform a HEMFC system cost analysis based on the best state-of-the-art carbon-supported PM-free ORR–HOR electrocatalyst pair ((Fe–N–C)–Ni/N-doped C). We also compare the system cost of HEMFCs and PEMFCs based on the best state-of-the-art carbon-supported ORR and HOR electrocatalysts. Our comparison shows that the HEMFC system has a cheaper stack but a more expensive balance of plant (BOP) than the PEMFC system, resulting in a higher HEMFC system cost. The higher HEMFC system cost is due to the electrochemically driven CO₂ separator (EDCS) cost and higher humidification management system cost caused by the lower cathode outlet relative humidity of the HEMFC compared with that of the PEMFC; (iii) we determine the material and system developments needed to decrease the HEMFC system cost to $30 per kW_Net required for cost competitiveness with internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) based on (PdMo/C-Ru₇Ni₃/C) and ((Fe–N–C)–Ni/N-doped C) ORR–HOR electrocatalyst pairs. We also perform a single variable sensitivity analysis and demonstrate the relative importance of EDCS operating parameters: H₂ consumed to CO₂ removed ratio, pressure drop, and area-based cost. Our analysis indicates that EDCS pressure drop significantly impacts the overall HEMFC system cost, comparable to the area-based cost, and that one must monitor its values in future studies; and (iv) we present a detailed stack and BOP cost and voltage-loss breakdown for all the systems studied in this paper and identify the cost and voltage-loss drivers. Overall, our system analysis provides invaluable and transformational guidelines and enables more targeted and informed future material and system component developments by identifying the highest cost and voltage-loss drivers in HEMFC systems and providing material and system developments needed to reach full cost parity with ICEVs.

中文翻译：

---

轻型汽车中广泛部署氢氧化物交换膜燃料电池的材料和系统开发需求

氢氧化物交换膜燃料电池 (HEMFC) 是质子交换膜燃料电池 (PEMFC) 的一种有前途的替代品，并且可以节省电堆组件材料的成本。在本研究中，我们通过开发综合 HEMFC 系统模型，首次确定并分析了轻型车辆应用的 HEMFC 系统的成本。更具体地说，(i) 我们分析了最先进的含碳负载贵金属 (PM) 和不含 PM 的氧还原反应 (ORR) 和氢氧化反应 (HOR) 的体积和基于成本的活性电催化剂。基于将 ORR-HOR 电催化剂对的活性纳入 HEMFC 系统成本分析，我们得出结论：含 PM 的 PdMo/C 和 Ru ₇ Ni ₃/C 是适合在 HEMFC 系统中实施的最佳 ORR 和 HOR 电催化剂；(ii) 我们基于最先进的碳支撑无 PM ORR-HOR 电催化剂对（(Fe-N-C)-Ni/N 掺杂 C）进行 HEMFC 系统成本分析。我们还比较了基于最先进的碳支撑 ORR 和 HOR 电催化剂的 HEMFC 和 PEMFC 的系统成本。我们的比较表明，HEMFC 系统比 PEMFC 系统具有更便宜的电池堆，但设备平衡 (BOP) 更昂贵，从而导致 HEMFC 系统成本更高。HEMFC 系统成本较高是由于电化学驱动的 CO ₂与PEMFC相比，HEMFC的阴极出口相对湿度较低，导致隔膜（EDCS）成本和加湿管理系统成本较高；(iii) 我们基于（PdMo/C-Ru _{7 Ni} 3 _/ C）和（ (Fe-N-C)-Ni/N-掺杂C) ORR-HOR电催化剂对。我们还进行了单变量灵敏度分析，并证明了 EDCS 操作参数的相对重要性：H ₂消耗为 CO ₂去除率、压降和面积成本。我们的分析表明，与基于区域的成本相比，EDCS 压降显着影响 HEMFC 系统的整体成本，并且必须在未来的研究中监控其值；(iv) 我们提出了本文研究的所有系统的详细堆栈和 BOP 成本和电压损耗细目，并确定了成本和电压损耗驱动因素。总体而言，我们的系统分析提供了宝贵的变革性指导方针，通过识别 HEMFC 系统中最高的成本和电压损耗驱动因素，并提供与 ICEV 实现完全成本平价所需的材料和系统开发，从而实现更有针对性和更明智的未来材料和系统组件开发。