Figure 1 SOFC stack for drone installation
Figure 2 Appearance of LPG-driven SOFC system
Pro Drone: World’s first SOFC drone developed: Demonstrate power generation/long flight in the air
Pro Drone/AIST:
Developed the world’s first SOFC drone.
With LPG fuel, even in areas before hydrogen infrastructure development
Long-term logistics/transportation work,
Long-term infrastructure inspection work,
It is useful for long-term disaster response.
Drone features:
Realizing a drone that can fly and work longer than before by increasing the output and weight of the fuel cell
Developed LPG internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell technology for drones with large power load fluctuations
Pro Drone Atsumitec Environmental Technology Center/AIST
The world’s first demonstration of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) drone that can fly and work for a long time.
Utilizing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG),
Higher output/lighter weight of SOFC stack (weight per output/60% less than before),
We have developed a SOFC system that can generate electricity even in the sky.
SOFC power generation: supplying power
The power generated by SOFC can be supplied to drones and secondary batteries, and flight and working time can be extended.
Inside the electrode: Modified SOFC technology
We have developed an internal reforming SOFC technology that “stable reforms LPG to hydrogen or carbon monoxide inside the electrode” even when the drone’s power load fluctuations are large.
Application fields:
It is driven by an LPG that is versatile and easy to carry.
Even in areas where hydrogen infrastructure has not been developed, it is expected that it will contribute to areas such as logistics, infrastructure inspection, and disaster response.
https://www.aist.go.jp/aist_j/press_release/pr2020/pr20200615/pr20200615.html
PRODRONE
https://www.prodrone.com/jp/release/6604/
PRODRONE was awarded the FY2020 “Intellectual Property Achievement Awards” | Prodrone | Revolutionary Drones for Professionals