Fuel Cells for Cogeneration

Abstract

For years, fuel cell technology has been touted as the power tech-
nology of the future. Robust progress has been made in the past two
years. Low emissions, high ef ficiencies, cogeneration, and reliability
have been met in each type of fuel cell. However, in this article we
will discuss three fuel cell types that have signi ficant opportunities to
provide true cogeneration capabilities. Cogeneration can be de fined as
the sequential production of thermal and electrical energy from one
fuel source. This heat is used to produce the second form of energy,
for cooling or heat such as hot water or steam. With cogeneration, heat
would be recovered within the components, the stack, or from the hot
exhaust. The three fuel cell types to be discussed include phosphoric
acid, molten carbonate and solid oxide. We will discuss the basic
operating principals of fuel cells and address some of the signi ficant
differences in the technologies.