Fuel cell voltage end efficiency

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the efficiency of fuel cells in relation to temperature, exploring the theoretical expectations versus practical observations. Participants are examining the reasons behind the observed increase in efficiency with rising temperatures in practical applications, despite theoretical models suggesting the opposite.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that theoretically, fuel cell efficiency decreases as temperature increases but notes a practical observation where this is not the case.
  • Another participant requests a source for the claim that efficiency decreases with temperature, indicating a need for evidence in the discussion.
  • A different participant references a source that suggests while fuel cells are more efficient at lower temperatures, higher temperature fuel cells experience less voltage loss, making them advantageous despite lower efficiency.
  • One participant hints at having found an answer but does not elaborate further.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus, as there are competing views regarding the relationship between temperature and fuel cell efficiency, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion, including a lack of detailed sources for theoretical claims and the need for further clarification on the conditions under which efficiency varies with temperature.

Thermo
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I know theoretically fuel cell efficiency decreases as temperature increases. But in practice it is vice versa. What is the reason of that? I couldn't find enough sources. Any kind of help is much appreciated.
 
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Thermo said:
I know theoretically fuel cell efficiency decreases as temperature increases.
Source?
 
Even though a fuel cell is more efficient at lower temperatures as shown in Table 3.1, the voltage losses are much less in higher temperature fuel cells. Therefore, it is more advantageous to run a fuel cell at a higher temperature yet lower efficiency to produce higher operating voltages.

upload_2016-11-11_0-33-33.png

Source: Chris Rayment Scott Sherwin Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN 46556, U.S.A. May 2, 2003
Enough?...
 
I think I just found the answer...
 

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