Fuel cell systems applications

Sensor and control technology with the proper ranges and selectivities for integrated fuel cell system application. 

Ford Motor Company. (1997). Direct Ilydrogcn-Fuclcd Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell System for Transportation Applications Hydrogen Vehicle... 

Recently, rhodium and ruthenium-based carbon-supported sulfide electrocatalysts were synthesized by different established methods and evaluated as ODP cathodic catalysts in a chlorine-saturated hydrochloric acid environment with respect to both economic and industrial considerations [46]. In particular, patented E-TEK methods as well as a non-aqueous method were used to produce binary RhjcSy and Ru Sy in addition, some of the more popular Mo, Co, Rh, and Redoped RuxSy catalysts for acid electrolyte fuel cell ORR applications were also prepared. The roles of both crystallinity and morphology of the electrocatalysts were investigated. Their activity for ORR was compared to state-of-the-art Pt/C and Rh/C systems. The Rh Sy/C, CojcRuyS /C, and Ru Sy/C materials synthesized by the E-TEK methods exhibited appreciable stability and activity for ORR under these conditions. The Ru-based materials showed good depolarizing behavior. Considering that ruthenium is about seven times less expensive than rhodium, these Ru-based electrocatalysts may prove to be a viable low-cost alternative to Rh Sy systems for the ODC HCl electrolysis industry. 

A fuel cell system for automobile application is shown in Figure 1.5 [41]. At the rated power, the PEMFC stack operates at 2.5 atm. and 80°C to yield an overall system efficiency of 50% (based on lower heating value of hydrogen). Compressed hydrogen and air are humidified to 90% relative humidity at the stack temperature using process water and heat from the stack coolant. A lower system pressure is at part load and is determined by the operating map of the compressor-expander module. Process water is recovered from spent air in an inertial separator just downstream of the stack in a condenser and a demister at the turbine exhaust. 

Wee, J.H., Applications of proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems. Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev., 11,1720-1738,2007. 

The NFPA Research Foundation, in a collaborative project with the DOE and the telecommunications industry, completed a draft report on diffusion of hydrogen leaks from cabinet-enclosed hydrogen storage tanks. The purpose of this research is to establish a better scientific foundation for setback requirements for hydrogen fuel cell systems used in telecommunication applications. 

In addition to these smaller applications, fuel cells can be used in portable generators, such as those used to provide electricity for portable equipment. Thousands of portable fuel cell systems have been developed and operated worldwide, ranging from 1 watt to 1.5 kilowatts in power. The two primary technologies for portable applications are polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) and direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) designs. 

The Shell studies imply that fuel cell sales will start with stationary applications to businesses that are willing to pay a premium to ensure highly reliable power without utility voltage fluctuations or outages. This demand helps to push fuel cell system costs below 500 per kW, providing the era of transportation which drives costs to 50 per kilowatt. But, can the high-reliability power market really drive transportation fuel cell demand and cost reductions, especially for proton- exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells ... 

Comprehensive discussions of fuel cells and Camot engines Nemst law analytical fuel cell modeling reversible losses and Nemst loss and irreversible losses, multistage oxidation, and equipartition of driving forces. Includes new developments and applications of fuel cells in trigeneration systems coal/biomass fuel cell systems indirect carbon fuel cells and direct carbon fuel cells. 

Ferrel, J., Kotar, A. and Stern, S. (1996). Direct Hydrogen Fuelled Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell System for Transportation Applications. Final report, Section 3 Hydrogen Infrastructure Report. Prepared for the Ford Motor Company and the Department of Energy. 

Research and development activities regarding fuel-cell units for the residential sector can be located all over the world. In Japan, 400 lkW fuel-cell systems were tested in 2005 (see Fig. 13.7). But intense attention is also being paid to these applications in the United States, China and Korea. 

Portable fuel-cell systems are systems that produce electricity for devices with a performance ranging from several watts to 10 kilowatts. The heat produced in the process is a by-product that is normally not used. The system has, therefore, to be cooled down by fans or cooling surfaces, etc. A wide range of applications is possible for fuel cells from small electronic devices like camcorders, mobile phones, laptops, etc. to electric tools, back-up systems, or power generation on boats or caravans. 

The PEMFC is technically in quite an advanced status. Fuel cell systems for both transport as well as stationary applications exist in a wide variety and are being operated in demonstration programs under practical conditions [57]. For large-scale market introduction, cost has to be reduced significantly, and durability must be improved. Both items cannot be solved by clever engineering only -new materials are also required. 

There is a strong driving force towards operation at higher temperatures and lower humidity levels it will make the fuel cell system simpler, heat transfer from the fuel cell will become easier, and tolerance towards impurities will improve [70], Operation for automotive applications is targeted towards 120 °C, while stationary systems could be operated at even 150 °C and higher. The key component needed to enable this higher operating temperature is the electro-... 

Fuel Cells, Systems and Applications - Research Projects... 

A number of strategic research topics were pursued for fuel cell systems in the EU funded projects, ranging from basic research to validation and demonstration activities for gaining field experience . All activities were targeting systems which could be commercially viable by 2020 for many applications, with focus on the high temperature technologies (mainly Solid Oxide, SOFC) and... 

One of the applications for hydrogen is for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells. As mentioned earlier, one application is a hydrogen fuelled hybrid fuel cell / ultra-capacitor transit bus program where significant energy efficiencies can be demonstrated. Another commercial application is for fuel cell powered forklifts and other such fleet applications that requires mobile electrical power with the additional environmental benefits this system provides. Other commercial applications being developed by Canadian industry is for remote back-up power such as the telecommunications industry and for portable fuel cell systems. 

IdaTech LLC (formerly Northwest Power Systems), of Bend, Oregon, an Idacorp subsidiary, delivered the first of 110 planned fuel cell systems to the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Portland, Oregon in June 2000. The BPA program is part of a fuel cell test and development phase intended to commercialize fuel cell systems for home and small commercial applications by 2003. 

In addition to high-profile fuel cell applications such as automotive propulsion and distributed power generation, the use of fuel cells as auxiliary power units (APUs) for vehicles has received considerable attention (see Figure 1-9). APU applications may be an attractive market because it offers a true mass-market opportunity that does not require the challenging performance and low cost required for propulsion systems for vehicles. In this section, a discussion of the technical performance requirements for such fuel cell APUs, as well as the current status of the technology and the implications for fuel cell system configuration and cost is given. 

Fuel cell APU applications could benefit significantly from the development of distributed generation systems, especially from residential scale systems, because of the similarity in scale and duty cycle. However, distributed generation systems are designed mostly for operation on natural gas, and do not face as stringent weight and volume requirements as APU applications. As a result, fuel cell APUs are in the early initial system prototype stage. 

There has been an accelerated interest in polymer electrolyte fuel cells within the last few years, which has led to improvements in both cost and performance. Development has reached the point where motive power applications appear achievable at an acceptable cost for commercial markets. Noticeable accomplishments in the technology, which have been published, have been made at Ballard Power Systems. PEFC operation at ambient pressure has been validated for over 25,000 hours with a six-cell stack without forced air flow, humidification, or active cooling (17). Complete fuel cell systems have been demonstrated for a number of transportation applications including public transit buses and passenger automobiles. Recent development has focused on cost reduction and high volume manufacture for the catalyst, membranes, and bipolar plates. 

Interaction with the Electrical Power Distribution System The fuel cell system power plant can be used in a wide variety of applications ... 

United States Plug Power is developing a 7 kWe fuel cell system for residential applications. They have tested their system on hydrogen and are planning market introduction of several models which could use hydrogen, propane, or natural gas. 

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