Stationary Power Generation

Stationary applications include large-scale central power generation (1 MW and higher), mid-range commercial and industrial power (10-1000 kW), and small-range residential power (5-10 kW). 

Fuel cells are considered for residential application using the existing natural gas supply line and as a CHP system to meet the space heating and water heating needs. The uses of fuel cells for mid-size commercial and industrial applications are also considered along with cogeneration of heat and power. 

Advanced combined cycle fuel cell-gas turbine power generation system and using clean coal gas. 

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The PAFC is, however, suitable for stationary power generation, but faces several direct fuel cell competitors. One is the molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), which operates at "650°C and uses an electrolyte made from molten potassium and lithium carbonate salts. Fligh-teinperature operation is ideal for stationary applications because the waste heat can enable co-generation it also allows fossil fuels to be reformed directly within the cells, and this reduces system size and complexity. Systems providing up to 2 MW have been demonstrated. 

All gas turbines intended for service as stationary power generators in the U.S. are available with combustors equipped to handle natural gas fuel. A typical range of heating values of gaseous fuels acceptable to gas turbines is 900 to 1100 Btu/scf, which covers the range of pipeline-quality natural gas. Clean liquid fuels are also suitable for use in gas turbines. 

As stated earlier, fuel processing technology from large chemical installations has been successfully transferred to small compact fuel cell units to convert pipeline natural gas, the fuel of choice for small stationary power generators. The technology for converting natural gas is described later in this section. 

Vehicles and stationary power generation fueled by hydrogen are zero-emission devices at the point of use, which benefits local air quality. Hydrogen-powered fuel... 

Phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC) use liquid phosphoric acid as an electrolyte - the acid is contained in a Teflon-bonded silicon carbide matrix - and porous carbon electrodes containing a platinum catalyst. The PAFC is considered the "first generation" of modern fuel cells. It is one of the most mature cell types, the first to be used commercially, and features the most proven track record in terms of commercial applications with over 200 units currently in use. This type of fuel cell is typically used for stationary power generation, but some PAFCs have been used to power large vehicles such as city buses. 

Develop and demonstrate fuel cell systems for transportation, stationary power generation and portable units. 

Table 3.3.1 also indicates suitable power ranges of the various fuel cell types and some of their typical applications. PEMFCs are clearly the most versatile class with strong focus on portable and automotive applications. High-temperature fuel cells are more often employed for stationary power generation. 

Stationary power generation on a large scale may use either low- or high-temperature fuel cell systems, and several systems rated at up to a few hundred kW have been operated (Barbir, 2003 Bischoff et ah, 2003 Veyo et ah, 2003). The systems comprise the basic units of PEMFC, MCFC or SOFC as described in Chapter 3, combined with fuel preparation and exhaust clean-... 

Barbir, F. (2003). System design for stationary power generation. In "Handbook of Fuel Cells, Vol. 4" (Vielstich, W., Lamm, A., Gasteiger, H., eds.), Ch. 51. Wiley, Chichester. 

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