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Natural gas can be burnt in a power station to provide electrical energy - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 6 - 2006 - Paper 1
Question 6
Natural gas can be burnt in a power station to provide electrical energy. Alternatively, natural gas can be fed into a fuel cell for electricity generation. At the p... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Natural gas can be burnt in a power station to provide electrical energy - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 6 - 2006 - Paper 1
Step 1
Which one of the following best compares the efficiency and cost of generating electrical energy by these two methods in a city like Melbourne?
Answer
To compare the efficiency and cost of generating electrical energy from a power station burning natural gas versus a fuel cell, we need to consider the following:
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Efficiency of Fuel Cell: Fuel cells are known for their higher efficiency in converting fuel into electricity compared to traditional combustion processes in power stations. Typically, fuel cells can convert around 40-60% of the energy in the fuel to electricity, while natural gas power stations may have efficiencies ranging from 30-50%.
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Cost per kJ of Electricity from Fuel Cell: Generally, the cost per kJ of electricity generated from a fuel cell is higher than that from a conventional natural gas power station due to the higher initial investment and operational costs associated with fuel cell technology.
Based on these considerations, the correct answer is: B. higher higher