Emergence of fuel cell products (original) (raw)
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Environmental Impact of Fuel Cell Technology
Chemical Reviews, 1995
F u e l cell systems represent a n e w technological approach, w h i c h meets all requirements f o r a f u t u r e sustainable conversion technology: high electrical efficiency, l o w emissions, good part-load characteristics, and possibility of cogeneration. Furthermore, all materials used in t h e f u e l cells cause n o environm e n t a l damage and c a n be produced w i t h o u t any problems. T h e main implementations of t h e fuel cell technology-beside t h e efforts in dispersed power plants and transportation applications-are on-site fuel cell plants. These so-called precommercial pro
Fuel cells are a commercially viable alternative for the production of ‘‘clean’’ energy
Fuel cells present a highly efficient and environmentally friendly alternative technology for decentralized energy production. The scope of the present study is to provide an overview of the technological and commercialization readiness level of fuel cells. Specifically, there is a brief description of their general advantages and weaknessesincorrelationwithvarioustechnologicalactions and political strategies, which are adopted towards their proper positioning in the global market. Some of the most important key performance indicators are also discussed, alongside with a few examples of broad commercialization. It is concluded that the increasing number of companies which utilize and invest on this technology, in combination with the supply chain improvements and the concomitant technological maturity and recognition, reinforce the fuel cellindustrysoastobecomewell-alignedforglobalsuccess.
The promise of fuel cell-based automobiles
Bulletin of Materials Science, 2003
Fuel cell-based automobiles have gained attention in the last few years due to growing public concern about urban air pollution and consequent environmental problems. From an analysis of the power and energy requirements of a modern car, it is estimated that a base sustainable power of ca. 50 kW supplemented with short bursts up to 80 kW will suffice in most driving requirements. The energy demand depends greatly on driving characteristics but under normal usage is expected to be 200 Wh/km. The advantages and disadvantages of candidate fuel-cell systems and various fuels are considered together with the issue of whether the fuel should be converted directly in the fuel cell or should be reformed to hydrogen onboard the vehicle. For fuel cell vehicles to compete successfully with conventional internal-combustion engine vehicles, it appears that direct conversion fuel cells using probably hydrogen, but possibly methanol, are the only realistic contenders for road transportation applications. Among the available fuel cell technologies, polymer-electrolyte fuel cells directly fueled with hydrogen appear to be the best option for powering fuel cell vehicles as there is every prospect that these will exceed the performance of the internal-combustion engine vehicles but for their first cost. A target cost of $ 50/kW would be mandatory to make polymer-electrolyte fuel cells competitive with the internal combustion engines and can only be achieved with design changes that would substantially reduce the quantity of materials used. At present, prominent car manufacturers are deploying important research and development efforts to develop fuel cell vehicles and are projecting to start production by 2005.
Fuel cells for non-automotive uses: Status and prospects
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2012
Fuel cell industry Policy Impact a b s t r a c t Fuel cells are in varying stages of commercialization for both automotive and non-automotive applications. The fuel cell industry has made substantial progress but still needs to reduce costs and improve performance to compete successfully with established technologies. In just 5 years, costs have been reduced by a factor of two while improving efficiency and durability. Based on interviews with fuel cell manufacturers in the U.S., Japan and the EU and information from published sources, a model of non-automotive fuel cell markets is constructed and used to estimate the impacts of government policies and to project the potential evolution of the industry to 2025. The model includes the effects of learning-by-doing, scale economies and exogenous technological progress on component and system costs, estimates customer choices between fuel cell and competing established technologies, and attempts to measure the impacts of government policies. With continued policy support it appears likely that the industry can become self-sustaining within the next decade.
The idea of converting chemical energy of fossil fuels directly into electricity already existed around the 1900, and resulted in large-scale experiments trying to oxidize coal and coal gas electrochemically in "piles".
The fuel cell yesterday, today and tomorrow
Hemijska industrija, 2005
The fuel cell has some characteristics of a battery carrying out direct chemical conversion into electric energy. In relation to classical systems used for chemical energy conversion into electric power, through heat energy and mechanical operation, the fuel cell has considerably higher efficiency. The thermo-mechanical conversion of chemical into electric energy, in thermal power plants is carried out with 30% efficiency, while the efficiency of chemical conversion into electric energy, using a fuel cell is up to 60%. With the exception of the space programme, the commercial usage of the fuel cell did not exist up to 1990, when the most developed countries started extensive financial support of this source of energy. By 1995, more than a hundred fuel cells were installed in the process of electricity generation in Europe, USA and Japan, while nowadays there are thousands of installations, of efficient energetic capacity. Because of its superior characteristics, the fuel cell compar...
A Review: Fuel cell a sustainable future
The paper discuss about the environmental, sustainable aspects, renewable energy and fuel cell technologies as one of the potential things to continuously growing pollutants, hazards, natural resources degradation, human health, risks and climatic changes. From a basic house hold work to huge industrial tasks every part requires the supply of energy. Energy production is the major issue. Every process needs energy to get accomplished. For our energy requirements we are polluting environment along with the depletion of conventional sources and fossil fuels. We need to look for the reliable source of fuel and renewable energy. The fuel cell technology is a way to greener cities. The paper includes Sustainable development, key factors and criteria that are essential for sustainable development, fuel cells as hydrogen energy systems, sustainable development and thermodynamics, hydrogen safety and myths about hydrogen.
Fuel cell commercialization issues for light-duty vehicle applications
Journal of Power Sources, 1996
The major challenges facing fuel cells in light-duty vehicle applications relate to the high cost of the fuel cell stack components (membrane, electro-catalyst and bipolar plate) which dictate that new manufacturing processes and materials must be developed. Initially, the best fuel for a mass market light-duty vehicle will probably not be the best fuel for the fuel cell (hydrogen); refueling infrastructure and energy density concerns may demand the use o." an on-board fuel processor for petroleum-based fuels since this will increase customer acceptance. The use of fuel processors does, however, reduce the fuel cell system's efficiency. Moreover, if such fuels are used then the emissions benefit associated with fuel cells may come with a significant penalty in terms of added complexity, weight, size and cost. However, ultimately, fuel cells powered by hydrogen do promise 1o be the most efficient and cleanest of automotive powertrains.