Standards Development

Scope

This part of IEC 62282 applies to stationary packaged, self-contained fuel cell power systems or fuel cell power systems comprised of factory matched packages of integrated systems which generate electricity through electrochemical reactions.

This document applies to systems

a)      Including all types of stationary fuel cell technologies, but not limited to:

1)      alkaline fuel cells (AFC);

2)      phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC);

3)      polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC);

4)      molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC); and

5)      solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC).

b)      intended for electrical connection to mains direct, or with a transfer switch, or to a stand-alone power distribution system;

c)      intended to provide AC or DC power;

d)      with or without the ability to recover useful heat;

e)      intended for operation on the following input fuels:

1)      natural gas, natural gas/hydrogen blends and other methane-rich gases derived from renewable (biomass) or fossil fuel sources, for example, landfill gas, digester gas, coal mine gas;

2)      fuels derived from oil refining, for example, diesel, gasoline, kerosene, liquefied petroleum gases such as propane and butane;

3)      alcohols, esters, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, Fischer-Tropsch liquids and other suitable hydrogen-rich organic compounds derived from renewable (biomass) or fossil fuel sources, for example, methanol, ethanol, di-methyl ether, biodiesel;

4)      hydrogen, gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen gas, for example, synthesis gas, town gas

.This document does not cover:

a)      micro fuel cell power systems;

b)      table fuel cell power systems;

c)      propulsion fuel cell power systems.

NOTE For special applications such as “marine auxiliary power”, additional requirements can be given by the relevant marine ship register standard.

This document is applicable to stationary fuel cell power systems intended for indoor and outdoor commercial, industrial and residential use in non-hazardous areas.

This document contemplates all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events, with the exception of those associated with environmental compatibility (installation conditions), relevant to fuel cell power systems, when they are used as intended and under the conditions foreseen by the manufacturer.

This document deals with conditions that can yield hazards on the one hand to persons, and on the other to damage outside the fuel cell power system only. Protection against damage to the fuel cell power system internals is not addressed in this document, provided it does not lead to hazards outside the fuel cell power system.

A typical stationary fuel cell power system is shown in Figure 1.

Please see draft for Figure 1 – Typical stationary fuel cell power system

NOTE The figure does not include all possible sub-systems or interfaces but is a representation of a typical fuel cell power system. Hence not all sub-systems and interfaces shown are required.

The overall design of the power system anticipated by this document forms an assembly of integrated systems, as necessary, intended to perform designated functions, as follows.

Inputs:

1.1 Fuel supply– Fuel supply according to the composition limits and supply characteristics of the fuels for which its design is intended.

1.2 Oxidant supply- the catalytic input to the chemical reaction in the fuel cell, most commonly air. The catalytic input to the chemical reaction in the fuel cell, most commonly air. May also be used to support combustion for fuel reforming.

1.3 Electrical Power input – Electrical input specified by the manufacturer, for controls and other supporting functions. See 4.2 for details.

1.4 Communication input - includes the providing of control signals, setpoint and operation instructions as well as remote access, parameter, software, and firmware updates.

1.5 Ventilation supply – air provided for the ventilation system.

1.6 Inert gas supply– non-reactive gas for system purging and protective pacification.

1.7 Water supply – water can be for cooling purposes, draining condensate, etc. 

1.8 EMC and physical environment, etc. - the surrounding conditions affecting the fuel cell system, such as vibrations, temperature, wind, water, and pollution but also electromagnetic disturbances. 

Within system boundaries:

2.1 Fuel cell stack(s) – assembly of cells, separators, cooling plates, manifolds and a supporting structure that electrochemically converts, typically, hydrogen-rich gas and air reactants to DC power, heat and other reaction products.  Note: Box

2.1 may also be a fuel cell module which is an assembly incorporating one or more fuel cell stacks and, if applicable, additional components, that is intended to be integrated into a power system.

2.2 Fuel processing system – System of chemical and/or physical processing equipment plus associated heat exchangers and controls required to prepare, and if necessary, pressurize, the fuel for utilization within a fuel cell power system.

2.3 Oxidant processing system – System that meters, conditions, processes and may pressurize the incoming supply for use within the fuel cell power system.

2.4 Water treatment system – System that provides all the necessary purification treatment of the recovered or added water for use within the fuel cell power system, for e.g. cooling, etc.

2.5 Ventilation system – System that provides air through mechanical or natural means to the fuel cell power system.

2.6 Thermal management system – System that provides heating, cooling, or heat rejection to maintain the fuel cell power system in the operating temperature range and may provide for the recovery of excess heat and assist in heating during start-up.

2.7 Control system – System(s) that is composed of sensors, actuators, valves, switches, and logic components that maintain the fuel cell power system parameters within the manufacturer’s specified limits including moving to safe states.

2.8 Power conditioning system – Equipment that is used to adapt the electrical energy produced by the fuel cell stack(s) to application requirements as specified by the manufacturer, one component of which is a power electronic converter system.

2.9 Internal power supply – Generation of power needed to run the supporting functions and systems around the fuel cell module.

2.10 Onboard energy storage – System of internal electric energy storage devices intended to aid or complement the fuel cell module in providing power to internal or external loads.

Output:

3.1 Recovered heat - Thermal energy recovered for useful purposes.

3.2 Waste heat - Thermal energy not recovered for useful purposes.

3.3 Electrical Power output – The power produced from the system and provided to an external load or grid.

3.4 Communication output - Includes the transmission of operational state and other data collected or generated by the system.

3.5 Ventilation outlet and other gasses – Air-rich gas, used for transporting heat, fuel residue and other trace gasses from the system to the outside.

3.6 Exhaust gas, other emissions – Process emissions from the system.

3.7 Discharge water – Condensate or wastewater from the system.

3.8 EMC and physical disturbance, etc. – The effect the fuel cell power system has on its surroundings, which could include noise, vibrations, and electromagnetic disturbances, etc.