Energy Conversion Alternatives Study (ECAS), Westinghouse Phase 1. Vol. X11: fuel cells. Final report. [Phosphoric acid, potassium hydroxide, molten carbonate, and stabilized zirconia electrolytes are compared]
A parametric assessment of four fuel cell power systems -- based on phosphoric acid, potassium hydroxide, molten carbonate, and stabilized zirconia -- has shown that the most important parameters for electricity-cost reduction and/or efficiency improvement standpoints are fuel cell useful life and power density, use of a waste-heat recovery system, and fuel type. Typical capital costs, overall energy efficiencies (based on the heating value of the coal used to produce the power plant fuel), and electricity costs are: phosphoric acid $350-450/kWe, 24-29%, and 11.7 to 13.9 mills/MJ (42 to 50 mills/kWh); alkaline $450-700/kWe, 26-31%, and 12.8 to 16.9 mills/MJ (46 to 61 mills/kWh); molten carbonate $480-650/kWe, 32-46%, and 10.6 to 19.4 mills/MJ (38 to 70 mills/kWh), stabilized zirconia $420-950/kWe, 26-53%, and 9.7 to 16.9 mills/MJ (35 to 61 mills/kWh). Three types of fuel cell power plants -- solid electrolytic with steam bottoming, molten carbonate with steam bottoming, and solid electrolyte with an integrated coal gasifier -- are recommended for further study. (GRA)
- Research Organization:
- Westinghouse Research Labs., Pittsburgh, PA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- NAS3-19407; E(49-18)-1751
- OSTI ID:
- 7224948
- Report Number(s):
- N-76-23703; NASA-CR-134941-V-12; REPT-76-9E9-ECAS-RLV.12-V-12
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Seri-12
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
COAL FUEL CELLS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FUEL CELL POWER PLANTS
ACID ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELLS
COAL GASIFICATION
COST
EFFICIENCY
ELECTROLYTES
HIGH-TEMPERATURE FUEL CELLS
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDES
SERVICE LIFE
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
FUEL CELLS
GASIFICATION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
POWER PLANTS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
300501* - Fuel Cells- Design & Development
010404 - Coal
Lignite
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