Fuel Cells - Green Power - Martin's Marine Engineering Page

Applicationselectric utilityportable powertransportationmilitaryspaceelectric utilitytransportationelectric utilityAdvantages• Solid electrolyte reducescorrosion & management problems• Low temperature• Quick start-up• Cathode reaction faster in alkalineelectrolyte — so high performance• Up to 85 % efficiencyin co-generation of electricityand heat• Impure H 2 as fuel• High temperature advantages*Disadvantages• Low temperature requiresexpensive catalysts• High sensitivity to fuel impurities• Expensive removal of CO 2 from fueland air streams required• Pt catalyst• Low current and power• Large size/weight• High temperature enhancescorrosion and breakdown of cellcomponents*High temperature advantages include higher efficiency, and the flexibility to use more types of fuels and inexpensive catalysts as thereactions involving breaking of carbon to carbon bonds in larger hydrocarbon fuels occur much faster as the temperature is increased.electric utility• High temperature advantages*• Solid electrolyte advantages(see PEM)• High temperature enhancesbreakdown of cell componentsThis document, and more, is available for download at Martin's Marine Engineering Page - www.dieselduck.net23