Welcome to nirvana, fellow fuel cell geeks! FC application is a tool that combines some of the fundamentals of physics and thermodynamics applicable to fuel cell technology in a user-friendly analytic interface. It provides a platform featuring various tools that perform direct process simulations on a mobile phone in no time.
One of the main purposes of this application is to give scientists and engineers flexibility, with a handy interface that enables the possibility of going through calculations very quickly without the hassle of using a laptop or computer. This app gives you powerful analytic capability whilst in the middle of discussions in a lab, on the move or at a coffee break!
The modules implemented in the current ‘Pro’ release are: Fuel Processor, Fuel Cell, FC Stack, Burner, Condenser and Insulation.
All modules are accessible from the ‘MAIN PAGE’ of the app and can be used independently. For example, in the ‘fuel processor’ module temperature of the reformer is an input parameter and the module calculates the reformate outlet gas compositions.
Another advantage of the package is that results obtained from a module can be sent on to the next module. For example, results obtained from the ‘fuel processor’ module (which include gas compositions and flow rates) can be rolled over to the ‘fuel cell’ module to evaluate fuel cell voltage.
In the current release, implemented compounds are limited to: CH4, H2O, H2, CO2, CO, O2 and N2; however, currently work is underway for the implementation of more compounds. Furthermore, all measurements are performed in atmospheric pressure and the influence of pressure on calculations is ignored.
The Pro version needs to be purchased and has the following advantages and additional functionalities: Range calculation and Plots; examples are shown in the screenshots.
Depending on the CPU speed and model of the mobile phone in use, the speed of calculations on FC Application may vary. Please keep in mind that simultaneous calculations are carried out in the background of some modules such as the ‘fuel processor’, and these may take up to a few seconds.
For small debugging and formula corrections there is no need to update the app from the store. The ‘FC Application’ server will distribute these updates and as soon as the phone is connected to the internet, updates will be implemented automatically. However, for major changes and updates such as changing the app interface or functions, these will need to be updated from the store like any other application available in the market.
Terms and Conditions - Disclaimer
All information, calculations and data implemented within the software are collected from sources in both the public domain and in academic resources, and may be referenced in a wide range of books and literature. Some simplifications and approximations have been made in order to make the package reliable and quick for most phones available in the market. Therefore, obtained results in each module can vary slightly from the results obtained from other packages available on the market.
It is assumed that users have a reasonable knowledge and understanding of thermodynamics, fuel cells and the related logic applied to the systems behind the app. All responsibility for judgement of accuracy and correctness of results and outputs obtained from the app resides solely with the user, and he/she may wish to validate results against experimental data. Since there are some approximations in the obtained results, the ‘FC Application’ team strongly recommends that users validate results against their own applications.
The ‘FC Application’ and any contributors who may have helped to develop this application shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, consequential or incidental damages incurred through the use of the application or the obtained results. By downloading and using this application, the user implicitly agrees with all above-mentioned terms and conditions.