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Characteristics of Fuel Cell Systems

  • Chapter
Fuel Cell Systems

Abstract

Fuel cell power systems possess certain generic characteristics, which may make them favorable for future power production compared with devices based primarily on rotating machinery using thermomechanical processes. Many of these operational characteristics of fuel cell systems are superior to those of conventional power generators. The most important are their potentially outstanding advantages compared to those of other existing or anticipated technology, namely thermodynamic efficiency, part-load characteristics, response time, emissions (including chemical emissions, noise, thermal emissions and visual or esthetic effects), modularity, and siting flexibility. Other factors which will affect their future economic viability in respect to their competition are expected to be their lifetime, on-line availability, reliability, start-up and shutdown characteristics, control, power conditioning, safety, materials, multifuel ability, and finally the waste disposal of their materials on dismantling of the plant. In this chapter, fuel cell systems will be characterized with respect to these factors. Finally, their overall economics, which will be largely dictated by their effective capital cost and lifetimes, will be considered in general terms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Electrochemical Systems and Hydrogen Research, Texas Engineering Experiment Station, The Texas A&M University System, College Station, Texas, 77843-3402, USA

    A. J. Appleby

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  1. A. J. Appleby
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Blomenco B. V., Achtermonde 31, 4156 AD, Rumpt, The Netherlands

    Leo J. M. J. Blomen

  2. Kinetics Technology International Group B. V., Zoetermeer, The Netherlands

    Leo J. M. J. Blomen

  3. Kinetics Technology International S.p.A., Via Monte Carmelo 5, 00166, Rome, Italy

    Michael N. Mugerwa (Business Development Coordinator) (Business Development Coordinator)

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© 1993 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Appleby, A.J. (1993). Characteristics of Fuel Cell Systems. In: Blomen, L.J.M.J., Mugerwa, M.N. (eds) Fuel Cell Systems. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2424-7_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2424-7_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-2426-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-2424-7

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