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The Fuel Cell System
A Clean, Efficient On-site Generator
A fuel cell system is made of several components that work together to produce power. Multiple fuel cells are grouped together to form the fuel cell stack.
The system includes three major components, in addition to the fuel cell stack: 1) a processor to extract pure hydrogen from the fuel source, 2) a storage and conditioning system to adapt the fuel cell's continuous power output to fluctuating demand, and 3) a mechanism for recovering heat from the electro-chemical process. The remainder of the system consists of pumps, compressors and controls.
All of the fuel cell systems tested in the BPA program ran on methanol. In the future, propane, liquid petroleum gas and other hydrocarbon fuels should be options. The fuel processor uses a catalytic reformer to produce hydrogen from alcohol or hydrocarbon fuels. The processor by-products are primarily CO2 and water vapor.
In the fuel cell stack, purified hydrogen, and oxygen from the air pass through linked plates similar to those in a battery. The electrochemical reaction generates electricity and heat.
An energy storage and power conditioning system adapts the fuel cell's maximum power flow to fluctuating power loads. A battery storage system with a dc-to-ac inverter stores power from low-demand periods for use during peak demand. Fully automated start-up and reduction controls match output with demand.
A heat recovery system directs heat from the jacket of water surrounding the fuel cell into a preheat tank for the domestic hot water system.
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