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PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

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The performance <strong>of</strong> a fuel cell is not significantly affected by ambient<br />

temperature or altitude and, therefore, does not require derating. Otherwise, the<br />

electricity and heat production <strong>of</strong> a single fuel cell may be modelled in the same<br />

way as an ICE (as described in section 5.2), using percentage part load<br />

efficiency values as the measure <strong>of</strong> performance, and the output to the matching<br />

stage is also the same. As electricity is generated directly in a fuel cell, the<br />

generator efficiency and power factor considered in the ICE model are not<br />

required. Fuel cells also have fast response times, which make them ideal for<br />

following demand. There are no other factors that significantly affect the<br />

performance <strong>of</strong> a fuel cell at this level <strong>of</strong> modelling [22]. Examples <strong>of</strong> the<br />

definition window for a fuel cell system are given in Appendix 1, Figures A1.37<br />

and A1.38. There are, however, some specific considerations that need to be<br />

taken into account when modelling fuel cells, and these are outlined below.<br />

5.6.1 Operating Temperature<br />

The required operating temperature <strong>of</strong> a fuel cell depends on the type <strong>of</strong><br />

electrolyte used. The most common types <strong>of</strong> fuel cell used for stationary<br />

applications are the Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC), which operates at<br />

around 200°C, and the Alkaline Fuel Cell (AFC), which operates at around<br />

80°C. This operating temperature is reached, initially, with the help <strong>of</strong> an<br />

external heat source, and is then maintained at a reasonably constant level by<br />

waste heat from the operation <strong>of</strong> the fuel cell. For the purposes <strong>of</strong> this model, it<br />

will be assumed that the fuel cell generating system is running fairly<br />

continuously, with some degree <strong>of</strong> loading, and therefore does not require<br />

external heating. Typically, several days <strong>of</strong> standby can be achieved without the<br />

need for external heating [22].<br />

5.6.2 Fuel Cell Efficiency<br />

Fuel cell generating systems can run either on pure hydrogen or on hydrogen<br />

rich fuels such as biogas or methanol. The latter type requires an internal<br />

reformer, which reduces the overall generating efficiency, and this effect is<br />

included in their quoted efficiency figures. The efficiency <strong>of</strong> a fuel cell also<br />

151

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