Fuel Cell Power Generation for Residential and Commercial Applications with Waste Heat Recovery

Today, the combustion of fossil fuels has supplied the vast majority of homes and buildings energy requirements. This has mainly been accomplished through the use of steam power plants. Although much has been done to improve efficiency and performance, there is still much room for improvement. Currently, conventional steam power plants are operating at approximately 30 – 40% efficiency. Another disadvantage is the pollutants contained in the products of combustion must be regulated to acceptable levels. This combined with the fact that steam power plants are not very modular, which in turn requires distribution of power has led to the research of more advanced power generation. Recently, the need for a non-polluting power, efficient source, has increased attention to fuel cells. Of the different types of fuel cells, the “proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell has received the most attention. PEM fuel cells operate at a low temperature; have high conversion efficiencies, and power densities making them perfect for supplying energy to homes and small buildings. The production of waste heat by PEM as well as other fuel cells is also beneficial. Waste heat can be used to serve many purposes such as: supplying space heating, hot water, or by regenerating a desiccant dehumidifier. The main disadvantage to fuel cell is cost. Right now capital costs, mainly for materials, is high which makes them unattractive. Recently however, the advantages of such an application have triggered an increase in research and development, which promises to drive costs down. To demonstrate the advantages of PEM fuel cells. An analytical model is constructed, installing a PEM fuel cell to supply the space cooling, and electrical requirements to a small building on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus. The waste heat from the fuel cell will be used to regenerate a desiccant dehumidifier, to increase system efficiency.