| SOFC offers a multitude of advantages over conventional electricity generation technologies and other types of fuel cells. Core benefits, which apply to all potential applications, include low cost, high reliability and low emission. More specifically, for the market segments we wish to target, the benefits are: |
- Co-production of high value heat
An operating temperature of 700°C permits effective and compact heat transfer to the heating system.
- Simple system design
Permits compact and reliable design.
- Low noise
Few moving parts make noise reduction more straight forward.
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- High electrical efficiency
Electrical efficiencies above 50% can be obtained in stand alone units already from the 100kWe level.
- Low maintenance
Extended unattended operation is feasible.
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- Fast transient response
Load response from second to second provides a dynamic power supply and reduces the need for supplementary power.
- Power density
High volumetric power density facilitates packing of the SOFC unit on the vehicle.
- Fuel flexibility
The electrolyte in SOFCs allows oxygen to pass from cathode to anode (contrary to PEM fuel cells where hydrogen passes from anode to cathode). This means that a wide range of fuels including natural gas, biogas, ethanol, diesel, LPG, methanol, DME and reformate can be used without the requirement to decompose the fuel completely into H2 and CO2 before the admittance to the fuel cell.
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