Fuel parameter and quality constraints for fuel cell distributed generators

Distributed generation (DG) technologies are being discussed as the new paradigm for the electricity infrastructure, owing to growth in electric loads, deregulated markets, reliability constraints, emission control limitations, and the huge capital investments with minimal rates of return associated with central station generation. Some DG technologies are critically dependent on the fuel quality and supply parameters for optimal power delivery and overall economic operation. Currently, most DG technologies are expensive to install, operate and maintain. One of the factors that will affect feasibility and economic viability of fuel cells is the supply of fuel with the characteristics appropriate to fuel cell designs [P. Gomatom and W. Jewell, October 2002]. This paper deals with fuel performance indices for fuel cell DG units and analyzes their dependency on fuel characteristics for economical and optimal performance.