Реферат: Fuel Cells Essay Research Paper AbstractThe purpose

percent or more, according to Robert R. Rose of Fuel Cells 2000, an advocacy group.

The hot steam and carbon dioxide they produce can be used to drive a gas turbine that

generates additional electricity, an approach that could push their efficiency to an unheard-

of 80 percent. They are potentially up to twice as efficient as a typical oil or coal-fired

plant (Scientific American).

Energy Research Corporation (ERC) in Danbury, Conn., has built a two-megawatt

pilot molten carbonate plant for the municipality of Santa Clara, Calif. The fuel cells run at

about 650 degrees Celsius (1,200 Fahrenheit) and consume hydrocarbon fuel that is re-

formed into hydrogen right inside the cells. Problems with electrical shorts within the cells

have restricted the plant’s output so far to about one megawatt. As the ERC’s William V.

Baker is at pains to point out, however, that still makes the Santa Clara plant the highest-

powered fuel cell unit in the U.S. The company is currently developing a modified design

rated at 2.85 megawatts (Scientific America).

Future.

Although no one can tell the future of fuel cells, you can tell what direction they

are headed. DaimlerChrysler plans to market their fuel cell cars by the year 2004.

Engineers plan to take off 660 pounds of the engine weight before marketing to the public.

Ford says they will unveil a fuel cell car this spring. Other automakers such as General

Motors Corp. and Honda Motor Co. are pouring in hundreds of millions of dollars into the

fuel cell car industry. (Associated Press) Companies are developing solid-oxide fuel cells.

DaimlerChrysler officials are working on NECAR X, which will run on methanol.

Methanol contains hydrogen and is the auto industry’s favored fuel to power fuel cells.

However, methanol-fueled cars would require a national network of methanol stations.

To understand fuel cells you need to know how they work, how they are being

used today, and how they will be used in the future.

Section II.

When evaluating an energy source two good criteria to use are environmental

friendliness and reliability.

Environmental friendliness is a good piece of criterion to use when evaluating an