Fuel Cell Types

Fuel cells are classified according to their operating temperature, electrolyte and the corresponding conductive ions. The low-temperature group consists of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC), Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFC) and Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC). Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) and Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFC) are high-temperature fuel cells. All electrode reactions and electrolyte mechanisms are summarised in the figure below. 

Typical properties of the different fuel cell types are listed in the table below: 

  AFC PEMFC PAFC MCFC SOFC

Operating      temperature 

 70-220°C Up to 120°C 130-220°C 600-800°C 700-1000°C
 Electrolyte Potassium hydroxide (KOH) Polymer membrane Concentrated phosphoric acid Melted Li/K carbonate Solid oxide ceramic
 Fuels Pure hydrogen Hydrogen (+reformate), methanol Hydrogen, natural gas Hydrogen, natural gas Hydrogen, natural gas
 Power range realised Up to 12 kW Up to 250 kW Up to 1 MW Up to 2 MW Up to 10 MW
 Application Space, sub-marine Portable, mobile, APU, CHP Small power plants, APU, CHP Power plants Power plants, APU, CHP

APU - Auxiliary Power Unit, CHP - Combined Heat and Power

 

To the top

 

Copyright © 2004-2006 Fuel Cell Norway ANS