Fuel Cell Type

Advantages

Challenges

OPERATING

TEMPERATURE

Applications

1. Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM)

· Solid Electrolyte reduces corrosion and electrolyte management systems

· Low Temperature

· Quick Start Up and load following

· Expensive Catalyst

· Sensible to fuel impurities

50-100°C

122-212°F

Typically, 80°C

· Backup power

· Portable Power

· Distributed generation

· Transportation

· Specialty vehicles

2. Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC)

· High Efficiency

· Fuel Flexibility

· Solid Electrolyte

· Suitable for power and Heating

· High-Temperature corrosion and breakdown of cell components

· Long Start-up time

· A limited number of shutdowns

700-1000°C

1202-1832°F

· Auxiliary power

· Electric utility

· Distributed generation

3. Alkaline (AFC)

· Wider range of stable materials allows lower-cost components

· Low temperature

· Quick start-up

· Sensitive to CO2 in fuel and air

· Electrolyte Management

· Electrolyte Conductivity

90-100°C

194-212°F

· Military

· Space

4. Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC)

· Ease of fuel delivery and storage

· Low cost of Methanol

· Operation at low temperatures and pressure

· Still emits CO2

· Sluggish kinetics of methanol oxidation is much slower than that of hydrogen

· Methanol crossover reduces cell voltage

50 to 120 °C 122 to 248 °F

· Store a high energy content in a small space, producing a small amount of power over a long period of time.

· Military applications of DMFCs are an emerging application since they have low noise and thermal signatures and no toxic effluent

· Portable Power Pack, Forklift, Golf Cart, Telecommunication Backup Power