Table 1.
Classification of fuel cells.
| AFC | MCFC | SOFC | PEMFC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrolyte | Aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide soaked in a matrix | Liquid solution of lithium, sodium and/or potassium carbonates, soaked in a matrix | Yttria stabilized zirconie | Solid organic polymer, poly-perfluorosulfonic acid |
| Fuel | Pure H2 | H2, CO, CH4, other | H2, CO, CH4, other | Pure H2 |
| Charge carrier |
OH− | CO32− | O2− | H+ |
| Operating temperature | 90–100 °C | 600–700 °C | 600–1000 °C | 50–100 °C |
| Efficiency | 60% | 45–47% | 35–43% | 53–58% |
| Application | Military, Space | Electric utility, Large distributed generation |
Auxiliary power, Electric utility, Large distributed generation |
Backup power, Portable power, Small distributed generation, Transportation |