Balance-of-Plant Components

Some examples of balance-of-plant components will be presented below, which does not claim to be a complete discussion by any means. 

Castaldi et al. emphasised the need for compact-sized heat-exchangers in fuel cell systems [325]. However, the devices that are specifically dedicated to water condensation require excessive amounts of space in many instances. Nevertheless they are inevitable to close the water balance of the system. 

For fuel processing applications, compact and high temperature resistant heat-exchangers do exist. However, these devices are still in the prototype and small series stage. 

However, a counter-current design will increase the efficiency of the polymer heat-exchanger and allow for low temperature differences between the fluids, which would further increase their efficiency. 

Fuel Processing for Fuel Cdls. Gunther Kolb 

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For both low temperature electrolysers, the biggest gain in efficiency is to be expected from an improvement in Balance of Plant components, taking into account the big gap between cell efficiency (80-90%) and system efficiency (50-60%). In the case of SPE electrolysers, catalytic research should therefore be directed to making the catalysts more tolerant to contaminants. For alkaline electrolysers, in addition to this, more active electrodes could lower capital costs. 

Taking advantage of Austria s excellent position in mechanical engineering through the development of suitable balance-of-plant components and adequate production technologies ... 

To investigate and develop balance of plant components and data that will be required to commercialise the HyS. 

Develop models of different fidelity (mechanistic detail) for fuel cells, stacks, and balance-of-plant components, such as reactors, condensers, and radiators. 

While different developers are addressing improvements in individual components and subsystems in automotive fuel cell propulsion systems (e.g., cells, stacks, fuel processors, balance-of-plant components), we are using modeling and analysis to address issues of thermal and water management, design-point and part-load operation, and component-, system-, and vehicle-level eificiencies and fuel economies. Such analyses are essential for effective system integration. 

An advanced fuel cell/microfuel processor systems is the VeGA system developed by Truma Geratetechnik GmbH, and Institut fiir Mikrotechnik Mainz GmbH (IMM) has been described by Wichert et al. [106]. The power output of the systems amounts to about 300 W, while 50 W are consumed by the balance of plant components, which leaves 250 W for the consumer. The fuel processor and a fully integrated and automated... 

The power output of the systems is about 300 W, and 50 W are consumed by the balance-of-plant components, leaving a net electric power output of 250 W for the consumer. 

The STAR-LM is targeted at both developing and developed countries. Secondary side and balance of plant components could potentially be manufactured using indigenous factories and labour in some developing countries. This could potentially result in further cost reductions. 

In Chapter 8 some important aspects of balance-of-plant components are discussed, and Chapter 9 presents complete fuel processors for all types of fuels, while cost and production issues are the subject of Chapter 10. 

Balance-of-plant components, such as the compressor, pumps and valves, is required to run a fuel cell/fuel processor system. They consume energy. These so-called parasitic power losses are usually in the range of 15-20% of the electrical energy generation of the fuel cell. The major portion of the losses can usually be attributed to the compressor. 

Payback period is usually a function of initial cost of the system and the life cycle costs associated with the system. Initial cost of a PAFC system involves the cost of fuel cell stacks and balance of plant components, cost of integration and assembly of these components and factory acceptance test. Life cycle costs are primarily a function of the efficiency of the system, cost of fuel and maintenance costs. Efficiency in the case of CHP applications involves both electrical and thermal efficiency. 

The above analyses emphasize the importance of cost reductiOTis related to the balance of plant components. 

Sub-system of a product The fuel cell is obviously the heart of the new power/ heat plant, but it needs to be carefully integrated into a complete system with many interrelated critical components. It has proven difficult to spur significant interest among balance of plant component suppliers to adapt their equipment in order to obtain the necessary reliability and cost. 

Progress in development and mass production of balance of plant components... 

Other developers have focused on miniaturizing the balance of plant components necessary to control water balance and minimize methanol loss or even developing reformer-based portable systems (57). 

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