| Large
Scale Power Generation Using Fuel Cell |
INTROUCTION
Technology is increasing our
energy needs, but it is also showing in new ways to generate power more effetely
with less impact on the environment. One of the most promising options for supplementing
future power supplies is the fuel cells. They have the potential to create much
more reliable power, with lower levels of undesirable emissions and noise and
higher over all efficiency than more traditional power generation systems with
existing and projected applications ranging from space craft to private automobiles,
large stationary power generator systems to small electronic devices, fuel cells
are poised to play an increasingly critical role in meeting the world's plowing
demand for clean, reliable power. What
is a fuel cell Fuel
cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device which converts chemicals hydrogen
and oxygen to produce electricity by slipping electrons from hydrogen. The hydrogen
med is exceeded from natural gun, propane and other common fuel and oxygen is
from air. A fuel
cell system consists of 3 major components
1. A fuel cell stack
2. A processor
to extract pare hydrogen from the fuel source
3. A storage and conditioners
system to adapt the fuel cell's continuous power only out to fluctuating demand.
4.
A mechanism for recovering heat from electrochemical process. The
remainder of the system consists of pumps compressors and controls.
Fuel cell
stack: in fuel cell stack, purified hydrogen and oxygen from air pass through
linked platter similar to those in battery .the electrochemical reaction generator
electricity and heat.
An energy storage and power conditioners system adapts
the fuel cell's maximum power flour to fluctuating power loads. A battery storage
system with dc-ac inventor stores power from low demand periods for use during
peak demand . Heat
recovery system directs heat from the jacket of water surrounding the fuel cell
in to a preheat tank for the domes tie hot water system.
Types of fuel
cells. There
are different types of fuel cells 1.Research
is underway to develop proton exchange membrane fuel cell.
2.Proton exchange
membrane fuel cell user one of the simplest reactions of any fuel cell. PEM
fuel cell history PEM
technology was developed after 1960. It was developed for U.S. Navy and Army.
The first unit was fueled by hydrogen generated by mixing water and lithium hydride. The
next development in PEM Technology was for NASA's project Gemini in the early
days of the U.S. piloted space program .batteries had provided power for earlier
missions, but future missions would be longer repairing a different power source. By
mid -1970s PEM cells were developed for under water life support leading to the
US nay oxygen generation plant.
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