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Thermally regenerative hydrogen/oxygen fuel cell power cyclesTwo innovative thermodynamic power cycles are analytically examined for future engineering feasibility. The power cycles use a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell for electrical energy production and use the thermal dissociation of water for regeneration of the hydrogen and oxygen. The TDS (thermal dissociation system) uses a thermal energy input at over 2000 K to thermally dissociate the water. The other cycle, the HTE (high temperature electrolyzer) system, dissociates the water using an electrolyzer operating at high temperature (1300 K) which receives its electrical energy from the fuel cell. The primary advantages of these cycles is that they are basically a no moving parts system, thus having the potential for long life and high reliability, and they have the potential for high thermal efficiency. Both cycles are shown to be classical heat engines with ideal efficiency close to Carnot cycle efficiency. The feasibility of constructing actual cycles is investigated by examining process irreversibilities and device efficiencies for the two types of cycles. The results show that while the processes and devices of the 2000 K TDS exceed current technology limits, the high temperature electrolyzer system appears to be a state-of-the-art technology development. The requirements for very high electrolyzer and fuel cell efficiencies are seen as determining the feasbility of the HTE system, and these high efficiency devices are currently being developed. It is concluded that a proof-of-concept HTE system experiment can and should be conducted.
Document ID
19860021958
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Morehouse, J. H.
(South Carolina Univ. Columbia, SC, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
July 1, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Johnson Space Center NASA/American Society for Engineering Educati
Subject Category
Energy Production And Conversion
Accession Number
86N31430
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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