Cogeneration Fuel Cell-Sorption Air Conditioning Systems

Although conventional cogeneration systems have been used successfully in the last two decades, most of them have been large units using mainly hydrocarbon fuels that are becoming increasingly expensive. New cogeneration systems based on fuel cells and sorption air conditioning systems promise to be an energy-saving alternative for situations when cooling, heating and power are needed at low and medium capacities. Cogeneration Fuel Cell-Sorption Air Conditioning Systems examines the thermodynamic principles of fuel cell performance and sorption air conditioning systems, and gives relevant information about the state of the art of these technologies. It also provides the reader with the theoretical bases and knowledge needed to understand the operation of these new cogeneration systems, as well as discussing the design basis and economical evaluation. Topics covered include: • selected fuel cells for cogeneration CHP processes; • state-of-the-art sorption refrigeration systems; • potential applications in demonstration projects; and • profitability assessment of the cogeneration system. Air conditioning and fuel cell engineers; postgraduates and researchers in energy fields; and designers of cooling, heating and power cogeneration systems will find Cogeneration Fuel Cell-Sorption Air Conditioning Systems a useful and informative reference.

I. Pilatowsky has a PhD in Thermodynamics at High Temperatures from the Université de Perpignan, France. Dr Pilatowsky works for the Centro de Investigación en Energía from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and has 25 years of teaching experience in undergraduate and graduate courses, and 37 years of research in the fields of applied thermodynamic, heat and mass transfer and solar thermal applications at low temperatures, particularly solar refrigeration and air conditioning, solar drying, and solar water heating systems design.

R.J. Romero has a PhD in Engineering from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. He works for the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos. Dr Romero has 10 years of research experience in applied thermodynamics, in heat pumps, particularly in heat transformers and in the applications field. He has teaching experience in chemical and mechanical engineering in undergraduate and graduate level courses.

C.A. Isaza has a PhD in Engineering in the field of Energy and Thermodynamics from the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia. Dr Isaza has 10 years of teaching experience in undergraduate and graduate level courses, and 15 years of research experience in the fields of refrigeration, gas combustion, solar energy, rational and efficient energy use, energy auditing and new energy technologies.

S.A. Gamboa has a PhD in Chemistry from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. He has worked for the Centro de Investigación en Energía from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México in projects related to renewable energy resources for more than 15 years. Dr Gamboa has research experience in electric engineering (integrated and hybrid systems), semiconductor devices, Schottky barrier solar cells and synthesis of nanomaterials for electrochemical energy conversion systems, rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors and low temperature fuel cells. He has 10 years of teaching experience in undergraduate and graduate level courses.

P.J. Sebastian has a PhD in Physics (Thin Films) from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India. Dr Sebastian works for the Centro de Investigación en Energía from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. He has 15 years of teaching experience in undergraduate and graduate level courses, and 23 years of research experience in the fields of thin films, semiconductors, solar cells, photovoltaic materials, selective coatings, hydrogen energy, fuel cells, modern batteries, electrochemical systems and material preparation techniques.

W. Rivera has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Salford, UK. He works for the Centro de Investigación en Energía from Universidad Nacional Atónoma de México. Dr Rivera has 22 years of research experience in the fields of absorption heat pumps, absorption heat transformers and cooling systems. He has 20 years of teaching experience in undergraduate and graduate level courses.