Fuel Cell Power

Natural gas also has an efficiency advantage in electricity generation. The economic and operational superiority of gas-fired combustion turbines and combined-cycle machines (and prospectively, the superiority of gas-powered fuel cells) relative to coal-and nuclear-powered steam turbines made the combination of natural gas and natural gas turbines the supply favorite of most electric utilities in the 1990s. 

Comings, V., Hardt, S., Hessel, V., Kolb, G., Lowe, H., Wichert, M., Zape, R., a methanol steam micro-reformer for low power fuel cell applications, Chem. Eng. Commun. (2003) accepted for publication. 

The remaining nearly pure H2 stream could be burned in a combined cycle power plant to generate electricity, but H2 turbines require further development. Power fuel cells and transportation fuels are alternative options for using H2 in the future, currently under development. 

Ammonia synthesis Liquid fuel Gas fuel (CH4) Power (fuel cell etc.)... 

As mentioned earlier, separation of C02 at concentrated sources is easier than from the environment, and carbon capture at upstream decarbonizes many subsequent economic sectors. However, it does require significant changes in the existing infrastructure of power and chemical plants. Furthermore, approximately half of all emissions arise from small, distributed sources. Many of these emitters are vehicles for which onboard capture is not practical. Thus, unless all the existing automobiles are replaced by either hydrogen-powered fuel cell cars or electric cars, the capture of C02 from the air provides another alternative for small mobile emitters. 

After it has been separated, hydrogen is an unusually clean-energy carrier and clean enough for the U.S. space shuttle program to use hydrogen-powered fuel cells to operate the shuttle s electrical systems while the by-product of drinking water is used by the crew. 

NASA is focusing on liquid-hydrogen power as part of its Vehicle Systems program. This includes a zero-emissions hydrogen-powered fuel-cell aircraft with cryogenic electric motors in the wing. 

Compressed gas is being used in most current demonstration vehicles. But, the path to commercialization of any major new technology is a long one. In 2003 Toyota recalled some of its hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles when a leak was found in the fuel tank of one of the cars leased to Japan s Ministry of the Environment. The leak was found when a driver at the ministry heard a strange noise in the car when he was filling up the hydrogen tank. The problem was quickly identified and fixed a few weeks later. 

DaimlerChrysler s efforts to make a gasoline reformer work was slightly disappointing so the carmaker announced it would concentrate its efforts on methanol, signing on to a program advanced by its partners in the Alliance. Since then, DaimlerChrysler demonstrated a gasoline-powered fuel cell Jeep. 

Unresolved issues such as conformance with electrical, plumbing, fuel-management, and emissions rules and other safety considerations could hinder the efforts of companies that manufacture, sell, and install natural-gas-powered fuel cells for residential, industrial, and commercial applications. 

The US military has a need for extreme long-duration unmanned air vehicles (UAV), and a hydrogen-powered, fuel cell-driven electric aircraft is a leading candidate. Without an internal combustion (1C) or jet engine, a fuel-cell UAV would be very quiet. Furthermore, there is the potential to electrolyze effluent water (or airborne water vapor) using solar power, giving the UAV an almost unlimited flight duration. 

Fuels that are most directly suited to the fuel cell are the most difficult and costly to produce and distribute. Gasoline and methanol are the leading candidates to power fuel cell engines. Both the gasoline and methanol fuel cell vehicles should be more fully developed prior to making a commercial decision on fuel choice. 

Fuel Processing Technology for Premium Power Fuel Cell Systems," J.C. Cross et al., Epyx/ADL, Pg. 749, Fuel Cell Seminar Abstracts, Courtesy Associates, Inc., November... 

STORMY to develop robust, safe and efficient on-board hydrogen storage systems, suitable for use in hydrogen powered Fuel Cell or Internal Combustion Engine vehicles. 

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