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PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

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percentage loading, rather than using a mixture <strong>of</strong> percentage loadings. This is<br />

due to the shape <strong>of</strong> the efficiency versus partial load graph (Figure 5.18), where<br />

the rate <strong>of</strong> change <strong>of</strong> the efficiency is much lower closer to optimum loading,<br />

and this increases as loading moves away from optimum in either direction.<br />

There would, therefore, be no real benefit in running one or more fuel cells at<br />

optimum loading and one or more at a different loading and lower efficiency, as<br />

this would give a lower overall efficiency.<br />

In order to determine the optimum fuel cell load share, the efficiency values<br />

require to be specified at different partial loads, as before, and the efficiency<br />

value at the minimum load is determined from these by extrapolation or<br />

interpolation. These values are then compared with each other to find the<br />

optimum percentage load, and the power available at this load is calculated as a<br />

percentage <strong>of</strong> the maximum rated power.<br />

A factor can be defined, as described by Equation 5.39, which allows decisions<br />

about engine loading to be made.<br />

Factor = Required (5.39)<br />

Optimum<br />

Where Required = Power required from the generation set (kW)<br />

Optimum = Power available at the optimum percentage loading (kW).<br />

If the maximum <strong>of</strong> five fuel cell sets are specified, and the factor is greater than<br />

five, all five fuel cells are run. If the required power divided by the maximum<br />

rated power is greater than five, the generating set is not able to satisfy all the<br />

power requirement, and all five fuel cells are run at full power. If this is less<br />

than five, the power requirement is divided equally between the five fuel cells,<br />

and the percentage load is calculated from this.<br />

If the factor is between four and five, the required power is divided by five, and<br />

the percentage load is calculated. If this is below minimum load, four fuel cells<br />

are run with the required power distributed evenly between them. Otherwise,<br />

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