Fuel cell handbook

The objective of this publication is to update the technical status of fuel-cell technologies for stationary power generation, with the major emphasis being to update the technical advances in phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC), molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology since about 1980. The emphasis of this handbook is on these fuel-cell systems because they are currently the strongest contenders for commercial stationary power generation. Optimization of parameters such as pressure, temperature, reactant composition and utilization are important to obtain the maximum performance from fuel cells. Because the fuel cell must be integrated with other subsystems involving fuel processing, thermal management and power conditioning, a systems approach to utilizing fuel cells is needed, and several examples are provided. Finally, it is apparent that there are numerous markets where fuel cells can play a prominent role if certain economic and technical issues are resolved. If these issues and the institutional barriers confronting fuel cells are overcome, then fuel-cell technologies should penetrate the commercial and industrial marketplaces.