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Re: Fuel Cell resources

On Sun, 6 Jun 1999  wrote:
>  writes:
> > [ fuel cell links ]
> I thought there was a pretty strong research effort to utilize the hydrogen 
> found in conventional fossil fuels.  

 From: Phil Nadeau <>
>Fuel cells that can burn fossil fuels are called Molten-Carbonate Fuel
>Cells (MCFCs), or at least that's what the call the ones that burn
>methane (natural gas is 90%+ methane). The fuel must be pre-processed
>by running it through a steam reformer running at a very high
>temperature. MCFC's can be very efficient overall because the waste
>heat from the cells can drive the steam reformer, and the electrical
>output vs. the chemical potential of the fuel is 40-60% (depending on a
>lot of factors).
>
>My understanding of the use of fuel cells with fossil fuels is that
>they are cleaner, quieter, and more efficient than a conventional
>generator, but it is an economy of scale. Huge power plants might still
>outperform fuel cells just because a generator is a simpler device.
>
>Overall, the fuel for an MCFC is more compact than a hydrogen cell. The
>real problem with using an MCFC for a personal device is that the
>temperature of the cell and steam reformer is very high... it might be
>safer just to use a small gas turbine (alcohol burns cooler than gas),
>and certainly safer to use a plain ol' battery.

What he said.  From what I remember, the reformers also tend to be much
larger than the fuel cell itself!  Find documents (if you can) on
Mercedes Benz' work on fuel cell vehicles.  They started with a cargo
van sized vehicle, and yes, the entire back was full with equipment.
They have recently reduced it to fill only half the back of a minivan,
but I think this is their forth or fifth iteration.

The temperature, is going to be at least ~100 degrees C for those
using steam, and the last article (on sae.org) says 280 degrees Celcius!
A little too hot for my tastes!

Here are some links:

http://www.anl.gov/OPA/news95/news950808.html
http://www.mercedes-benz.com/e/innovation/fmobil/necar3.htm
http://www.sonic.net/~billkirn/fuelcellprogress98.html
http://www.electricboat.com/serv01.htm
http://www.sae.org/automag/toptech/1298t04.htm

   - Kevin

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