Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Khulna

Department of Energy Science and Engineering

Assignment on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells

(ESE 4003)

Topic: Environmental Impacts of Fuel Cell Power Plants

Submitted to, Submitted by,

Adnan Abedeen Pijus Roy

Lecturer, Roll: 1713016

Institute of Year: 4th

Environment and Power Technology Term: 2nd

KUET, Khulna- 9205 Submission date: 17.10.2022

Bangladesh
 Environmental Impacts of Fuel Cell Power Plants

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is encouraging research and development on coal-based
power plants with ultra-high thermal efficiency and carbon capture capabilities in response to
rising energy demand and growing concerns about global climate change brought on by
greenhouse gas emissions. The only method that can reportedly produce electricity at 60%
efficiency (coal HHV-AC) while separating at least 90% of the generated CO2 that can be buried
is integrated gasification fuel cell (IGFC) technology, which combines coal gasification and solid
oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology. The DOE's efficiency target takes into account any CO2
separation-related costs but excludes those resulting from the gas's compression to meet the
sequestration level. However, none of the research work published to date has demonstrated this
performance goal, primarily because even with highly efficient SOFC as the power block, CO2
separation and the gasification process posed significant efficiency penalties on the system.
Previous conceptual analyses of such IGFC plants have clearly shown the potential for improved
efficiency and emissions relative to other system approaches [1]. Fuel cell systems are being
redesigned in preparation for the commercialization of fuel cell products in the upcoming years
by reducing the price of fundamental components such as electrolytes and membranes, electrode
materials, and catalysts while also boosting power density and long-term stability. Low-
temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are the most significant type of
fuel cell, but issues with hydrogen delivery and storage have forced the creation of liquid fuels
including methanol, ethanol, sodium borohydride, and ammonia. Methanol has a high theoretical
energy density and is less expensive, and simpler to handle, transport, and store than
hydrogen. Methanol has a high theoretical energy density and is less expensive, and simpler to
handle, transport, and store than hydrogen. Ethanol is the second most researched liquid fuel,
although it's important to remember that, ideally, a cell using sodium borohydride alkaline
solution should have the maximum energy conversion efficiency. It is obvious that innovative
catalysts, such as nanostructured single-phase and composite materials, oxidant enrichment
technologies, and increased catalytic activity, must be used to provide the right solutions (A. C.
Sequeira et al., 2017).

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The operation of fuel cell power plants leads to minimal direct emissions due to relatively low
(compared to combustion engines or turbines) operating temperatures (leading to almost zero
thermal NOx emissions) and gas clean-up requirements (e.g., for required SO2 removal). The
emissions are typically dependent on the load only. As a first order approximation, these
emissions can be applied to all natural gas reforming stationary plants as long as the fuel, the
reformer type, temperature, and fuel utilization are comparable. Generally, these emissions are
very low in comparison with emissions from other life cycle stages so that the uncertainty is not
very relevant for the total results. It is important to consider emission developments in the
conventional systems as well. Improved three-way catalysts for gas engines, low-NOx
combustion chambers and other primary and secondary measures for gas turbines, as well as
NOx and SO2 abatement technologies for large power plants, have drastically reduced exhaust
emissions.

Fig.1. Schematic of a fuel cell energy stock [3]

The following listings summarize the most important features of fuel cells in comparison to other
energy conversion devices:

1. Zero-Emission Power
Hydrogen fuel cells (HFCs) produce no harmful emissions, eliminating the costs associated with
handling and storing toxic materials like battery acid or diesel fuel. In fact, when fueled with
pure hydrogen, the only by-products are heat and water, making our products a zero-emission,

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sustainable power source. Hydrogen fuel cells are part of many well-planned corporate
sustainability programs.

2. Robust Reliability
Hydrogen fuel cell technology has proven itself against tough conditions, including cold
environments as low as -40 degrees F/C, weather environments like hurricanes, deserts, and
winter storms, and even the hardworking business environments of material handling
warehouses.

3. Improved Efficiency
Hydrogen fuel cells are generally between 40% to 60% energy efficient, according to the U.S.
Department of Energy. This range compares to the typical internal combustion engine of a car,
which is about 25% energy efficient. Hydrogen fuel cell efficiency is put to work to improve
warehouse productivity by up to 15% using fuel cell forklifts to extend the mileage range for
electric vehicles.

4. Scalable
The advantages of using a modular product are profound: Greater reliability and easier
serviceability. But most important of the fuel cell benefits may be scalability – and the savings
provided when purchasing and using fuel cells. These products may be engineered precisely to
meet a variety of customer power needs – whether for on-road electric vehicles, material
handling fleets, or stationary power.

5. Lower Operational Costs

Compared to batteries and internal combustion generators, fuel cells save money. They eliminate
the need to change, charge, and manage batteries, subsequently reducing labor, time, space, and
peak power demands. The units run longer than lead-acid batteries and can be fueled in as little
as three minutes, substantially reducing vehicle and personnel downtime. Additionally, simple
maintenance and fewer site visits mean up to 84% lower operational costs when compared to
combustion generators for stationary power. Robust reliability eliminates the need for quarterly
site maintenance visits, keeping site personnel focused on their critical tasks [4].

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Environmental impacts of fuel cell power plant

1. Stationary power

The use of fuel cells, and especially fuel cells that utilize hydrogen, provide high value for
improving air quality and reducing GHG emissions. Replacement of coal, oil, and natural gas
fired generating capacity in Connecticut with fuel cell (fueled by natural gas) technology would
result in the reduction of NOx, SO2, and CO2. This means that for each megawatt of
conventional fossil fuel generation capacity replaced with capacity from a fuel cell, average
reductions of NOx emissions would be reduced by 11,213 lbs; SO2 emissions would be reduced
by 9,373 lbs; and CO2 emissions would be reduced by approximately 7.2 million lbs. At 40 MW,
average reductions of NOx emissions would be reduced by 224 tons; SO2 emissions would be
reduced by 187 tons; and CO2 emissions would be reduced by approximately 144 thousand tons.
With a CHP application and assuming additional increased efficiency from reduced transmission
line losses; these annual emission reductions could be doubled.

2. Transportation

The use of fuel cells for transportation applications provides significant emission reductions for
passenger vehicles and mass transit. In Connecticut, passenger cars and light duty trucks are
responsible for 61 percent of transportation GHG emissions. These vehicles are responsible for
28 percent of all GHG emissions in Connecticut, compared to 22 percent nationally.
Conventional diesel transit buses emit significant amounts of GHG, and consequently have the
potential for the most energy savings using fuel cell applications compared to most other
transportation applications [5].

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References

[1] Li, M., Rao, A. D., Brouwer, J., & Samuelsen, G. S. (2010). Design of highly efficient coal-

based integrated gasification fuel cell power plants. Journal of Power Sources, 195(17),

5707–5718. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2010.03.045

[2] A. C. Sequeira, C., S. P. Cardoso, D., Martins, M., Amaral, L., & Center of Physics and

Engineering of Advanced Materials (CeFEMA), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade

de Lisboa, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal. (2017). Novel materials for fuel cells operating on

liquid fuels. AIMS Energy, 5(3), 458–481. https://doi.org/10.3934/energy.2017.3.458

[3] https://library.scotch.wa.edu.au/Science/Year8/HydrogenFutureofMotorVehicles/

[4] https://www.plugpower.com/fuel-cell-power/fuel-cell-benefits/

[5] http://chfcc.org/resources/fuel-cell-environmental-impact/