Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 6
Power Generation
Power generation is being advanced by fuel cell technology as many
fuel cell generators are being marketed now. Fuel cells can be used to gen-
erate electricity, heat, and hydrogen. One fuel cell provider FuelCell En-
ergy uses this technique in its molten carbonate fuel cell. Some solid oxide
fuel cell (SOFC) companies have been developing similar products.
Fuel cells operate much like a battery, using electrodes in an elec-
trolyte to generate electricity. But, unlike a battery, fuel cells never lose
their charge as long as there is a constant source of fuel.
Fuel cells can be used to power a variety of portable devices, from
handheld electronics such as cell phones and radios to larger equipment
such as portable generators. Other potential applications include laptop
computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and handheld video cam-
eras—almost any application that has traditionally used batteries. These
fuel cells have the potential to last more than three times as long as bat-
teries between refueling.
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 elec-
trolyte membrane (PEM) and direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) designs.
STATIONARY POWER FUEL CELLS
The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy has a joint
program with fuel cell developers to develop the technology for stationary
power applications includes central power and distributed generation.
The joint government-industry fuel cell program is aimed at giving
the world's power industry a revolutionary new option for generating
electricity with efficiencies, reliabilities, and environmental performance
beyond conventional electricity generation.
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