Phosphoric acid fuel cells

An overview of the phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) technology is provided in this chapter. The various components that are part of PAFC stack and the working principles behind the PAFC are described in detail. The various fuels that can be used are discussed. Efficiency and performance considerations are important for any energy conversion technology. Achievable power densities and system efficiencies when using PAFC technology are outlined. The lifetime of fuel cell stacks is a critical factor in fuel cell commercialization. While PAFC stacks have demonstrated large lifetimes (greater than 40,000h), there are still several challenges that need to be addressed before such reliability becomes routinely achievable. Various performance loss mechanisms are described in detail. The state-of-the-art in modeling of PAFC systems is explored, in brief. The advantages and disadvantages of PAFCs when compared with other fuel cell technology are described at appropriate locations. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the future prospects for the PAFC technology.