Abstract: A standard phosphoric acid fuel cell power plant has its heat exchanger removed such that a higher temperature coolant flow can be directed from the system to the generator of an absorption chiller to obtain improved efficiency in the chiller. In one embodiment, the higher temperature coolant may flow directly from the fuel cell stack to the generator and then back to the high temperature coolant loop. Either a double effect absorption chiller or a single effect absorption chiller may be used.

Abstract: A standard phosphoric acid fuel cell power plant has its heat exchanger removed such that a higher temperature coolant flow can be directed from the system to the generator of an absorption chiller to obtain improved efficiency in the chiller. In one embodiment, the higher temperature coolant may flow directly from the fuel cell stack to the generator and after passing therethrough, it is routed back to the high temperature coolant loop. In another embodiment, the higher temperature coolant is made to transfer some of its heat to a lower temperature coolant and the lower temperature coolant is than made to flow directly to the generator and back to the lower temperature coolant loop. In the first embodiment, either a double effect absorption chiller or a single effect absorption chiller is used, while in the second embodiment a single effect absorption chiller is used.

Abstract: A standard phosphoric acid fuel cell power plant (11) has its heat exchanger (29) removed such that a higher temperature coolant flow can be directed from the system to the generator (37) of an absorption chiller (34). In one embodiment, the higher temperature coolant may flow directly from the fuel cell stack (14) to the generator and after passing therethrough, it is routed back to the high temperature coolant loop (27). In another embodiment, the higher temperature coolant is made to transfer some of its heat to a lower temperature coolant and the lower temperature coolant is then made to flow directly to the generator and back to the lower temperature coolant loop (22). In the first embodiment, either a double effect absorption chiller or a single effect absorption chiller is used, while in the second embodiment a single effect absorption chiller is used.