06-02-2013, 12:08 PM
Getting Electricity From Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
Getting Electricity.docx (Size: 196.4 KB / Downloads: 36)
Abstract
Electricity is no more a luxury but it has become a necessary in today’s life. An increase in share of global energy needs is expected to be met by renewable in the years ahead. Renewable sources have an enormous potential to meet the growing energy requirements of the increasing population of the developing world.
Fuel cells is one of them, provide a range of critical benefits that no other single power generating technology can match.
This technical article describes the main characteristics of fuel cell and in that mainly Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC).
Introduction
Engineers and environmentalists have long dreamed of being able to obtain the benefits of clean electric power without pollution-producing engines or heavy batteries. Solar panels and wind farms are familiar images of alternative energy technologies. While they are effective sources of electrical energy, there are problems with the stability of their energy source as, for example, on a cloudy or windless day.
Their applications are somewhat limited due to lack of portability; a windmill is not much help to the power plant of a diesel truck, a solar panel cannot provide power at night, etc.
In 1962 a revolution in energy research occurred. Scientists at Westinghouse Electric Corporation (now Siemens Westinghouse) demonstrated for the first time the feasibility of extracting electricity from a device they called a “solid electrolyte fuel cell”. Since then there has been an intense research and development effort to develop the alternative energy technology known as fuel cells.
Now, as energy issues are at the forefront of current events, fuel cell technology is ripening and on the verge of being ready for large scale commercial implementation.
Fuel Cell
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts the chemical energy in fuels (such as hydrogen, methane, butane or even gasoline and diesel) into electrical energy by exploiting the natural tendency of oxygen and hydrogen to react. By controlling the means by which such a reaction occurs and directing the reaction through a device, it is possible to harvest the energy given off by the reaction.
Highly efficient hydrogen fuel cells are wanted due to the high price the existing ones have so far. So, being efficient means less money spent on them, and more market share for hydrogen. SOFCs (solid oxide fuel cell) are a type of hydrogen fuel cell that use solid (not liquid) electrolyte to do their job, while being much more efficient.
Stationary energy sources
Stationary installations would be the primary or auxiliary power sources for such facilities as homes, office buildings, industrial sites, ports, and military installations. They are well suited for mini-power-grid applications at places like universities and military bases.
SOFCs can be positioned on-site, even in remote areas; on-site location makes it possible to match power generation to the electrical demands of the site. Stationary SOFC power generation is no longer just a hope for the future.
Transportation
In the transportation sector, SOFCs are likely to find applications in both trucks and automobiles.
In diesel trucks, they will probably be used as auxiliary power units to run electrical systems like air conditioning and on-board electronics thereby leading to a savings in diesel fuel expenditures and a significant reduction in both diesel exhaust and truck noise.
Military applications
Finally, SOFCs are of high interest to the military because they can be established on-site in remote locations, are quiet, and non-polluting. Moreover, the use of fuel cells could significantly reduce deployment costs: 70% by weight of the material that the military moves is nothing but fuel.
Stationary fuel cells for military applications can provide back up or standby power for special operations and activities and can provide power in remote areas.
Conclusions
Forty years have passed since the first successful demonstration of a solid oxide fuel cell. Through ingenuity, materials science, extensive research, and commitment to developing alternative energy sources, that seed of an idea has germinated and is about to bloom into a viable, robust energy alternative. Materials development will certainly continue to make SOFCs increasingly affordable, efficient, and reliable.
The rapid increasing in technology definitely brings a change in the usage of this SOFC and also in the power generation sector. Ultimately helps in bringing Zero Emission Power Generation.