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fuel cells?
It seems that every day now some electronics giant is announcing their micro
fuel cell. See: http://www.goodcleantech.com/2008/05...ybrid_fuel.php What I want to know is whether these things have a place in gliders. The first concern that pops into my head is that they must depend on atmospheric oxygen which might not be enough at high alititudes. Anybody know? |
#2
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fuel cells?
On Mon, 05 May 2008 12:57:36 -0600, Bill Daniels wrote:
It seems that every day now some electronics giant is announcing their micro fuel cell. See: http://www.goodcleantech.com/2008/05...ybrid_fuel.php What I want to know is whether these things have a place in gliders. The first concern that pops into my head is that they must depend on atmospheric oxygen which might not be enough at high alititudes. Anybody know? I suppose you could always use an (electrically driven) supercharger if that is a problem. However, as Aerovironment were planning to use a fuel cell in their electric flying wing, which operates at 80,000 ft, I suppose the problem, if it is one, is solvable. The more relevant questions concern the energy density of a fuel cell plus supply tank and its energy efficiency. I've not seen anything about energy density, but its efficiency over a charge/discharge cycle is far below Li-poly batteries - something like 66% vs 85%, which makes it less attractive for a solar powered 'eternal airplane' than Li-poly cells. If you're talking about using it to fly a ground-charged SLMG, then the energy density would be the critical factor. You probably wouldn't want to use a hydrogen fuel cell because the energy density of a tank of hydrogen is rather low. -- martin@ | Martin Gregorie gregorie. | org | Zappa fan & glider pilot |
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