What is a fuel cell?
A fuel cell produces electricity from fuel and air. The simplest fuel cell produces electricity from hydrogen and air with water as the only by-product.
How does a fuel cell work?
Fuel cells consist of three functional layers - the anode, the cathode and the electrolyte.
Fuel passes over the anode side and air passes over the cathode. The electrolyte – a thin, gas tight, ion conducting layer – is placed between the anode and the cathode.
An external circuit connects the anode to the cathode and provides the mechanism to power electrical devices.
What are the advantages of fuel cells?
There are several advantages which make fuel cells a sustainable and viable future energy technology:
Efficiency
The SOFC technology has a high energy efficiency.
Fuel flexibility
Fuel cells operate on a variety of fuels including natural gas, biogas or biomass. This means that fuel cells can be used within the existing energy infrastructure, making implementation more simple.
High operating temperatures
The high operating temperature generates heat which can be used in combined heat and power units.
No emissions
Fuel cells operate without emission of NOX or SOX.
Where can fuel cells be used?
Fuel cells can be used in a number of applications. Topsoe Fuel Cell primarily targets three markets:
Auxiliary power units (APUs)
Auxiliary power units (APUs) provide electricity when you have no access to grid power. Fuel cell based APUs have many different applications:
- on long-haul trucks to generate power during breaks, as anti-idling legislation prohibits idling engines
- a quiet and highly efficient power source for recreational vehicles and yachts
Micro combined heat and power (micro CHP)
Micro combined heat and power (micro CHP) generates heat and power scaled to fit residential application and meets the electricity demand in single family households. Combined heat and power generation for households is one of the most efficient ways to meet residential energy requirements.
Distributed generation
Distributed generation using SOFC technology offers efficient power generation in a number of situations, for example in hospitals, shopping malls, in apartment buildings and in areas with low power capacity.