Experience with 200 kW PC25 fuel cell power plant

The 200 kW PC25 fuel cell power plant has demonstrated the intrinsic characteristics of fuel cells: high electrical and overall efficiency over a wide range of loads, rapid transient response, quiet operation and low emission of controlled pollutants. The power plants are designed to an industry standard and certified by an independent agency. Permitting approval for power plant installation has been achieved with minimal problems. The standard production power plant has been installed in a wide range of climates, operated on natural gas with compositions delivered in over 100 cities and 19 countries, and connected to many different electrical systems. A number of installations are fueled with waste gas from the anaerobic digestion process in waste water treatment plants. It has been applied to a variety of buildings in a number of electrical and thermal configurations. By the first half of 2002, the more than 200 power plants in the installed fleet had accumulated five million operating hours. Routine maintenance interval while the power plant is operating has reached six months. Individual units have exceeded 40 000 operating hours without overhaul and power plant availability in the high 90s has been demonstrated. The primary factors limiting broader application of the power plants are high power plant cost and a lack of knowledge of the fuel cell characteristics and benefits. Keywords: power plant; phosphoric acid fuel cells; electrical efficiency; heat recovery; emissions of controlled pollutants; transient response; natural gas; waste water treatment; overhaul period; availability