Fuel Cells
ref: The Economist, 97/10/25, pp89-92
The priciples of the FUEL CELL were developed by William Grove in 1839. Fuel
cell technology has recently (1995) received a boost due to developments in
reducing the amount of platinum required for catalytic purposes by a process
that multiplies the surface area available from a given mass. The process was
originally developed to lower the cost of catalytic converters for gasoline
engines.
The five types are:
- The Alkali Cell. It is the most expensive and has been used on space vehicles. It enjoys the highest power to weight ratio.
- Molten Carbonate. Runs at about 600C. Can use methane. Does not need platimum catalyst
- Solid Oxide. Runs at about 1000C. Can use methane. Does not need platimum catalyst
- Type four. Runs at ?C. Needs platinum Catalyst
- Type five Runs at ?C. Needs platinum Catalyst
End to date, ams 990712