Comparative analysis of fuel cells and suggestions to improve their efficiencies for sustainable future

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Date
2012
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Abstract
In this paper an analytical comparison is presented between the various developed configuration of fuel cells under the different operating conditions of temperature and load variations with respect to their efficiency and output power. The fuel cells such as Polymer Electrolyte Membrane, Solid oxide, Molten Carbonate and Alkaline fuel cells have very high conversion efficiency and they can be used for distribution generation and electric utility. However performance and degrading issues are always of concern for researchers. Carbon black is one of the major causes of performance degradation of fuel cells. Carbon Nanotubes having the carbon support materials with a higher graphitic character are used to improve the efficiency and stability of these fuel cells. Further, the potential of alternate energy resources would be compared based on several important parameters such as efficiency, economics, ease of construction and other important parameters. Attempts would also be made to make a technical and economic comparison of these types of cells and evaluate their merits and de-merits. Although, out of all of these cells under consideration the solid oxide carries a risk of high temperature corrosion and breakdown of components, improvements are being worked out. Finally all results obtained from different cells will be simulated by using Matlab Simulation Tools.
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Keywords
Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells, Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells, Alkaline Fuel Cell, Efficiency, Power
Citation
Paper presented in Symposium on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells SHFC, 9th - 11th July 2012, Islamabad - Pakistan