Operating temperature of Fuel Cells

[elm-chris]

What does the operating temperature of a fuel cell mean? Is this the temperature the cell generates or the temperature the cell is brought to so that it can operate? I see articles that state operating temperatures for different fuel cell systems---i.e. solid oxide 600 to 1000 C, phosphoric acid 150 to 200 C etc, but do not know what that means

 

[mheslep]

What does the operating temperature of a fuel cell mean? Is this the temperature the cell generates or the temperature the cell is brought to so that it can operate? I see articles that state operating temperatures for different fuel cell systems---i.e. solid oxide 600 to 1000 C, phosphoric acid 150 to 200 C etc, but do not know what that means

The latter, the temperature required for the fuel cell to operate. All fuel cells will produce about as much heat in watts as the produce in electricity, i.e., 50% efficient.