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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
'''Fuel cell''' engines are primarily used in civilian applications like rail systems, personal transport, and [[IndustrialMech]]s. These engines generate electrical power by combining two suitable reactants (a fuel and an oxidizer) in a controlled pair of redox reactions, providing power to operate the vehicle's propulsion and other electrical systems. A fuel cell engine has several advantages over the typical [[internal combustion engine]]. A fuel cell system is usually about 40% lighter than a comparable internal combustion engine. While they require an oxidizer to operate, they are readily able to accept a stored oxidizer along with their fuel, making it a good choice for submarines, satellites, and naval applications. As most fuel cells run on hydrogen and oxygen, they have no exhaust other than water vapor; therefore, they are also used as generators for buildings and other large structures.<ref name="TOp133+">''Tactical Operations'', pp. 133-134, "Power Generators"</ref> Their main drawback, when compared to the ICE counterparts, is their range: a fully fueled fuel cell vehicle only has two-thirds the range of a vehicle equipped with a comparable ICE.<ref name="TMp68">''TechManual'', p. 68, "Fuel"</ref>  
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'''Fuel cell''' engines are primarily used in civilian applications like rail systems, personal transport, and [[IndustrialMech]]s. These engines generate electrical power by combining two suitable reactants (a fuel and an oxidizer) in a controlled pair of redox reactions, providing power to to operate the vehicle's propulsion and other electrical systems. A fuel cell engine has several advantages over the typical [[internal combustion engine]]. A fuel cell system is usually about 40% lighter than a comparable internal combustion engine. While they require an oxidizer to operate, they are readily able to accept a stored oxidizer along with their fuel, making it a good choice for submarines, satellites, and naval applications. As most fuel cells run on hydrogen and oxygen, they have no exhaust other than water vapor; therefore, they are also used as generators for buildings and other large structures.<ref name="TOp133+">''Tactical Operations'', pp. 133-134, "Power Generators"</ref> Their main drawback, when compared to the ICE counterparts, is their range: a fully fueled fuel cell vehicle only has two-thirds the range of a vehicle equipped with a comparable ICE.<ref name="TMp68">''TechManual'', p. 68, "Fuel"</ref>  
  
 
Compared to a [[Fusion engine|fusion]] or [[Fission engine|fission reactor]], the fuel cell's biggest advantages are cost and temperature. They run cooler than an ICE and much cooler than a comparable fusion power plant. In addition, the fuel cell system is much cheaper than a fusion reactor. These advantages are offset by the fuel cell's greater weight, need for fuel, and comparatively low range. Recently several manufacturers have begun creating [[Advanced Fuel Cell Engine]]s rated for combat use. Typically these are seen on [[combat vehicle]]s, but manufacturers claim that they can be adapted for use on [[BattleMech]]s.<ref name="TOp36+">''Tactical Operations'', p. 306-308, "Engine Systems"</ref> One drawback to these combat fuel cell engines is that they require the same type of [[power amplifier]]s used on vehicles powered by an ICE system.<ref name="TMp62">''TechManual'', p. 62, "Engines"</ref>
 
Compared to a [[Fusion engine|fusion]] or [[Fission engine|fission reactor]], the fuel cell's biggest advantages are cost and temperature. They run cooler than an ICE and much cooler than a comparable fusion power plant. In addition, the fuel cell system is much cheaper than a fusion reactor. These advantages are offset by the fuel cell's greater weight, need for fuel, and comparatively low range. Recently several manufacturers have begun creating [[Advanced Fuel Cell Engine]]s rated for combat use. Typically these are seen on [[combat vehicle]]s, but manufacturers claim that they can be adapted for use on [[BattleMech]]s.<ref name="TOp36+">''Tactical Operations'', p. 306-308, "Engine Systems"</ref> One drawback to these combat fuel cell engines is that they require the same type of [[power amplifier]]s used on vehicles powered by an ICE system.<ref name="TMp62">''TechManual'', p. 62, "Engines"</ref>

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