scholarly journals New Avenues for Electrochemistry

2001 ◽  
Vol 123 (02) ◽  
pp. 46-51
Author(s):  
Michael Valenti
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Power Systems ◽  
Coal Mine ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Fuel Cell System ◽  
Industrial Plants ◽  
Coal Mine Methane ◽  
Automotive Engines

Manufacturers of fuel cells are working to improve the economics of electrochemical devices to make them more competitive with conventional fossil fuel power systems for industrial plants and vehicles. FuelCell Energy of Danbury, Connecticut, is designing a system to convert polluting coal mine methane into electricity. General Electric MicroGen of Latham, New York, plans to introduce a residential fuel cell system by the end of the year to provide remote homes with backup current and heat. Another residential system is being developed by International Fuel Cells of South Windsor, Connecticut. The Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown, West Virginia, is sponsoring a program to determine the feasibility of feeding coal mine methane to fuel cells. The program involves building a 250-kilowatt fuel cell system at the Nelms mining complex operated by Harrison Mining Corp. in Cadiz, Ohio. A fuel cell system planned for the Nelms complex will assist these automotive engines in consuming methane emissions while generating electricity.

Fuel Cells as Energy Sources for Future Mobile Devices

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 492-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sari Tasa ◽  
Teppo Aapro
Keyword(s):  
Energy Source ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Mobile Device ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Fuel Cell System ◽  
Cell Technology ◽  
Fuel Cell Technology

Mobile device manufacturers would like to provide totally wireless solutions—including charging. Future multimedia devices need to have longer operation times as simultaneously they require more power. Device miniaturization leaves less volumetric space available also for the energy source. The energy density of the Li-ion batteries is high, and continuously developed, but not at the same speed as the demand from devices. Fuel cells can be one possible solution to power mobile devices without connection to the mains grid, but they will not fit to all use cases. The fuel cell system includes a core unit, fuel system, controls, and battery to level out peaks. The total energy efficiency is the sum of the performance of the whole system. The environmental performance of the fuel cell system cannot be determined yet. Regulatory and standardization work is on-going and driving the fuel cell technology development. The main target is in safety, which is very important aspect for energy technologies. The outcomes will also have an effect on efficiency, cost, design, and environmental performance. Proper water, thermal, airflow, and fuel management of the fuel cell system combined with mechanical durability and reliability are the crucial enablers for stable operation required from the integrated power source of a mobile device. Reliability must be on the same level as the reliability of the device the energy source is powering; this means years of continuous operation time. Typically, the end-users are not interested of the enabling technologies nor understand the usage limits. They are looking for easy to use devices to enhance their daily life. Fuel cell technology looks promising but there are many practical issues to be solved.

scholarly journals Thermodynamic Effects of Nanotechnological Augmentation of Hydrogen Fuel Cells

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 76-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reece Cohen Woodley ◽  
Kane Yang ◽  
Geoffrey Bruce Tanner ◽  
Dennis Tran
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Thermodynamic Efficiency ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel Cells ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel ◽  
Fuel Cell System ◽  
Efficient System ◽  
Structured Catalysts ◽  
Thermodynamic Effects

This meta-study focuses on the research regarding the use of nanotechnology in traditional fuel cells in order to increase thermodynamic efficiency through the exploitation of various thermodynamic systems and theories. The use of nanofilters and nano-structured catalysts improve the fuel cell system through the means of filtering molecules from protons and electrons significantly increases the possible output of the fuel cell and the use of nano-platinum catalysts to lower the activation energy of the fuel cell chemical reaction a notable amount resulting in a more efficient system and smaller entropy in comparison to the use of macro sized catalysts.

Direct Alcohol Fuel Cell for Automotive Applications and Vehicle Modeling

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. O. Branda˜o ◽  
S. C. A. Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Control System ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Automotive Applications ◽  
Fuel Cell System ◽  
Super Capacitor ◽  
Vehicle Modeling ◽  
Direct Alcohol Fuel Cell ◽  
Alcohol Fuel

This paper describes the study made by COPPE/UFRJ which goal is the development of fuel cells systems for automotive applications. The study is divided in two parts. The first is the development of a PEM direct fuel cell. In addition a method for experimentally determine the possibility of using a fuel in a fuel cell is developed. The components of catalysts are also tested such as Tin and Ruthenium in a Platinum coated electrode. The second part is the control system for a fuel cell powered vehicle. The vehicle power is modeled from its actions and losses. A power of 80kW seems to be a great choice if made of 50kW from the fuel cell system and 30kW from an accumulator such as a pack of batteries or a super capacitor.

An Economic Analysis of Stationary Fuel Cell Power Plants

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Pourmovahed ◽  
Hamid Nejad
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Economic Analysis ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Payback Period ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Fuel Cell System ◽  
Power Load

Fuel cells are often credited for being quieter, cleaner, more reliable and more efficient than traditional power plants. They may be used as the primary source of power or as a back-up system with significant benefits. They have potential for producing financial savings when used to produce electricity. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of using a 250-kW stationary fuel cell system as the primary provider of electrical power at an industrial facility. Additionally, the cost and payback period for such a system including hook up and maintenance were estimated. The biggest drawback to stationary fuel cells is the high initial cost. However, coupled with incentives such as rebates and cogeneration opportunities, select locations in the country may be suitable candidates for implementation. In addition, the type of application and power load cycle are key factors in selecting an appropriate fuel cell type. Most fuel cells favor operating continuously as they are not designed to withstand intermittently changing loads and their efficiencies and life time drop if they are cycled on and off. The only currently viable option is to select a facility located in a “fuel cell friendly” state with a minimum (base) electric demand of 250 kW, 24 hours a day, 5 days a week. The fuel cell would operate based on a “base load strategy”, providing electrical/thermal energy at a constant rate. A detailed economic analysis was carried out. It indicates that the payback period for a currently available large stationary fuel cell system installed in California is over 20 years in Los Angeles and about 15 years outside Los Angeles. This is primarily due to lower electric rates in Los Angeles. Despite multi-year programs providing various funding to assist this new technology, without significant cost reduction by fuel cell developers, no large-scale economic deployment of stationary fuel cells will be viable.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Impurity Concentration Process and Mitigation Operation in Fuel Cell System for Using Biogas

Reactions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-128
Author(s):  
Yutaro Akimoto ◽  
Yuta Minei ◽  
Keiichi Okajima
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Process Simulation ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Fuel Cell System ◽  
Recirculation System ◽  
Concentration Of Impurities

For a low-carbon society, it is necessary to extract hydrogen for fuel cells from biogas rather than from fossil fuels. However, impurities contained in the biogas affect the fuel cell; hence, there is a need for system and operation methods to remove these impurities. In this study, to develop a fuel cell system for the effective utilization of biogas-derived hydrogen, the compositional change and concentration of impurities in the hydrogen recirculation system under actual operation were evaluated using process simulation. Then, the mitigation operation for performance degradation using simple purification methods was evaluated on the proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) stack. In the process simulation of the hydrogen recirculation system, including the PEMFC stack, the concentration of impurities remained at a level that did not pose a problem to the performance. In the constant voltage test for a simulated gas supply of biogas-derived hydrogen, the conditions for applying the methanation reforming and air bleeding methods were analyzed. As a result, methanation reforming is more suitable for supplying biogas-containing CO to the PEMFC stack for continuous operation.

Fuel Cells and Cogeneration

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. R. Parise ◽  
J. V. C. Vargas ◽  
R. Pitanga Marques
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Heat Sources ◽  
Fuel Cell System ◽  
Power Cycles ◽  
Thermodynamic Cycles ◽  
Simultaneous Production ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
System Configurations

Although historically grown as independent energy technologies, fuel cell and cogeneration may adequately work to each other’s benefit. Some fuel cells deliver heat at sufficiently high temperatures, which can be certainly used as heat sources for cogeneration or trigeneration schemes. The paper presents an overview of the innumerable fuel cell system configurations for simultaneous production of (i) heat and power, (ii) cooling and electricity, and (iii) cooling, heat, and electricity. The survey includes combined power cycles (also called hybrid systems) where the fuel cell works together with other thermodynamic cycles to produce, with a high fuel-to-electricity efficiency, electricity alone. A large number of cogeneration arrangements are mentioned. Some are described in detail. A brief analysis of benefits and drawbacks of such systems was undertaken. The review was limited to articles published in archival periodicals, proceedings, and a few technical reports, theses, and books.

Parameters Affecting the Performance of a Residential-Scale Stationary Fuel Cell System

2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark W. Davis ◽  
A. Hunter Fanney ◽  
Michael J. LaBarre ◽  
Kenneth R. Henderson ◽  
Brian P. Dougherty
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Power Systems ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Electrical Load ◽  
Fuel Cell System ◽  
State Tests ◽  
American Society

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology have measured the performance of a residential fuel cell system when subjected to various environmental and load conditions. The system, which uses natural gas as its source fuel, is capable of generating electrical power at three nominal power levels (2.5, 4.0, and 5.0kW) while providing thermal energy for user-supplied loads. Testing was conducted to determine the influence of ambient temperature, relative humidity, electrical load, and thermal load on system performance. Steady-state and transient tests were conducted. The steady-state tests were performed in accordance with the American Society of Mechanical Engineering Fuel Cell Power Systems Performance Test Code (PTC-50) for fuel cell power systems. The results of the investigation are being used to develop a proposed rating procedure for residential fuel cell units.

Evaluation of the Economic, Energy, and Environmental Characteristics of a Combined Heat, Power, and Hydrogen System

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael W. Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Power Systems ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Oxides Of Nitrogen ◽  
Heat Power ◽  
Fuel Cell System

A combined heat, power, and hydrogen (HPH) system consists of a hydrogen production and distribution system that provides hydrogen fuel for vehicles and for fuel cell heat and power systems that meet the energy needs of nearby buildings. This paper describes the analysis of a proposed HPH system that serves a laboratory and the vehicle fleet of an adjacent industrial facility. In the proposed system, hydrogen from a natural gas fuel processor is compressed, stored, and used to fuel fleet vehicles. The hydrogen is also supplied to a building fuel cell system that provides both electricity and hot water for space heating and water heating during peak electrical demand periods. The analysis is based on historical data for vehicle mileage and electricity use, estimates of hot water use for the laboratory, and local utility rates. This data is used in conjunction with a model of system performance and an operating strategy based on the net marginal value of hydrogen for each resource (heat, power, and hydrogen vehicle refueling) to determine the economic and environmental impact of the HPH system. Results show that if the primary goal is vehicle refueling, adding a stationary fuel cell system to create a combined HPH system makes small fleet sizes economical and increases the economic value of the refueling station at all fleet sizes. If the primary goal is to provide building heat and power, adding a vehicle refueling capability increases the economic value provided the fleet size is relatively large. The results also confirm that for the current utility rates at the proposed site, the stationary system should be operated in a peak shaving mode with relatively few operating hours. Finally, the results indicate that application of the HPH system leads to reductions in primary energy use and reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide and oxides of nitrogen in both stationary and vehicular applications. Sulfur dioxide emissions are reduced for stationary applications but increased for vehicular applications. Overall, the HPH system represents a promising approach to facilitate the introduction of both fuel cells and a hydrogen infrastructure.

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