FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE

Comparison of Fuel Cell Technologies

Electrical
Fuel Cell Common Operating Typical Stack
Efficiency Applications Advantages Challenges
Type Electrolyte Temperature Size
(LHV)
• Backup power
Polymer • Solid electrolyte reduces corrosion &
60% direct H2;i • Portable power • Expensive catalysts
Electrolyte electrolyte management problems
Perfluorosulfonic acid <120°C <1 kW - 100 kW 40% • Distributed generation • Sensitive to fuel impurities
Membrane • Low temperature
reformed fuelii • Transportation
(PEM) • Quick start-up and load following
• Specialty vehicles
Aqueous potassium • Wider range of stable materials
• Military
hydroxide soaked allows lower cost components • Sensitive to CO2 in fuel and air
Alkaline • Space
in a porous matrix, <100°C 1 - 100 kW 60%iii • Low temperature • Electrolyte management (aqueous)
(AFC) • Backup power
or alkaline polymer • Quick start-up • Electrolyte conductivity (polymer)
• Transportation
membrane
5 - 400 kW,
Phosphoric acid • Suitable for CHP • Expensive catalysts
Phosphoric 100 kW module
soaked in a porous • Increased tolerance to fuel • Long start-up time
Acid 150 - 200°C (liquid PAFC); 40%iv • Distributed generation
matrix or imbibed in a impurities • Sulfur sensitivity
(PAFC) <10 kW (polymer
polymer membrane
membrane)

• High temperature corrosion and

Molten lithium, sodium, • High efficiency
Molten • Electric utility breakdown of cell components
and/or potassium 300 kW - 3 MW, • Fuel flexibility
Carbonate 600 - 700°C 50%v • Distributed generation • Long start-up time
carbonates, soaked in a 300 kW module • Suitable for CHP
(MCFC) • Low power density
porous matrix • Hybrid/gas turbine cycle

• High efficiency
• Auxiliary power • High temperature corrosion and
Solid • Fuel flexibility
Yttria stabilized • Electric utility breakdown of cell components
Oxide 500 - 1000°C 1 kW - 2 MW 60%vi • Solid electrolyte
zirconia • Distributed generation • Long start-up time
(SOFC) • Suitable for CHP
• Limited number of shutdowns
• Hybrid/gas turbine cycle

i NREL Composite Data Product 8, “Fuel Cell System Efficiency,” http://www.nrel.gov/hydrogen/docs/cdp/cdp_8.jpg For More Information
ii Panasonic Headquarters News Release, “Launch of New ‘Ene-Farm’ Home Fuel Cell Product More Affordable and Easier to Install,”
http://panasonic.co.jp/corp/news/official.data/data.dir/2013/01/en130117-5/en130117-5.html More information on the Fuel Cell Technologies Office is
iii G. Mulder et al., “Market-ready stationary 6 kW generator with alkaline fuel cells,” ECS Transactions 12 (2008) 743-758
available at http://www.hydrogenandfuelcells.energy.gov.
iv Doosan PureCell Model 400 Datasheet, http://www.doosanfuelcell.com/attach_files/link/PureCell%20Model%20400%20Datasheet.pdf
v FuelCell Energy DFC300 Product Specifications, http://www.fuelcellenergy.com/assets/DFC300-product-specifications1.pdf
vi Ceramic Fuel Cells Gennex Product Specifications, http://www.bloomenergy.com/fuel-cell/es5-data-sheet/

For more information, visit:

hydrogenandfuelcells.energy.gov

April 2016
Printed with a renewable-source ink on paper containing at least 50% wastepaper, including 10% post consumer waste.