Scheme of a Phosphoric-acid fuel cell
Phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC) are a type of fuel cell that uses liquid phosphoric acid as an electrolyte. The electrodes are made of carbon paper coated with a finely-dispersed platinum catalyst, which make them expensive to manufacture. They are not affected by carbon monoxide impurities in the hydrogen stream. Phosphoric acid solidifies at a temperature of 40 °C, making startup difficult and restraining PAFCs to continuous operation.
However, at an operating range of 150 to 200 °C, the expelled water can be converted to steam for air and water heating. Phosphoric acid fuel cells have been used for stationary applications with a combined heat and power efficiency of about 80%, and they continue to dominate the on-site stationary fuel cell market.
The primary manufacturer of PAFC technology is UTC Power (also known as UTC Fuel Cells), a unit of United Technologies (NYSE: UTX). As of 2005, there were close to 300 "PureCell" 200 kW units by UTC Power in service globally.
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