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ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY VERIFICATION REPORT: RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION USING THE PLUG POWER SU1 FUEL CELL SYSTEM
Citation:
Greenhouse Gas Technology Center. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY VERIFICATION REPORT: RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION USING THE PLUG POWER SU1 FUEL CELL SYSTEM. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA-600/R-03/124, 2003.
Impact/Purpose:
To share information.
Description:
The Environmental Technology Verification report discusses the technology and performance of the Plug Power SU1 Fuel Cell System manufactured by Plug Power. The SU1 is a proton exchange membrane fuel cell that requires hydrogen (H2) as fuel. H2 is generally not available, so the system includes a reformer to convert natural gas, propane, methanol, or other petroleum products to H2, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. The fuel cell generates direct current (DC) electricity that is converted to AC that can be transformed to the voltage required. The verification test was conducted over a 10 day period at a 2000 square foot private residence in Lewiston, NY. Natural gas was used as fuel for the SU1. At 5 kW command power, the unit delivered 4.75 kW at 23.8% electrical efficiency and a heat rate of 14,330 Btu/kWh. At 2.5 kW command power, the unit delivered 2.57 kW at 24.5% electrical efficiency and a heat rate of 13,940 Btu/kWh. Nitrogen oxides and carbom monoxide emissions were less than 0.035 ppmv and 0.19 ppmv, dry basis, at all power settings. Emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and total hydrocarbons were consistent over all power settings and averaged 1.63, 0.0087, and 0.0088 lb/kWh, respectively. The unit maintained synchronization with the utility grid during operation and had average electrical output characteristics of 60.001 Hz AC frequency, 120.98 v, 99.9% power factor, and total harmonic distortion of 2.85% in current and 2.69% in voltage.