Molten carbonate fuel cells manufacture

FCE s German partner, MTU Friedrichshafen, is operating a 250 kilowatt molten carbonate fuel cell system in Bielefeld, Germany. The power plant is located on the campus of the University of Bielefeld and provides electric power and byproduct heat. The fuel cells were manufactured by FCE. MTU developed a new power plant configuration for this unit termed a Hot Module that simplifies the balance of plant. The system began operation in November 1999 and logged over 4,200 hours by August, 2000. Electric efficiency is 45% (LHV). 

For molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs), a full life-cycle analysis has been attempted (Lunghi and Bove, 2003). Both electrodes and the electrolyte matrix are manufactured by mixing powdered constituents with binders and... 

Li, F. Wang, C.-M. Hu, K.-A. Optimization of non-aqueous nickel slips for manufacture of molten carbonate fuel cell electrodes by tape casting method. Mater. Res. Bull. 2002, 37 (12), 1907-1921. 

Electrochemical applications of a-BN include its use as carrier material for catalysts in fuel cells [297], as a constituent of electrodes in molten salt fuel cells [298, 299], as anticracking particles in the electrolyte for molten carbonate fuel cells [300, 301], and in seals for insulating terminals of Li/FeS batteries from the structural case [302], A BN-coated membrane is used in an electrolysis cell for the manufacture of high-purity rare earth metals from salt melts [381]. A porous boron nitride layer is applied to the upper outer surface of the electrolyte tube in sodium-sulfur batteries [303], and ceramic boron nitride separators are used in liquid fuel cells and batteries [304, 305]. Boron nitride powder may be included in the electrolyte of electrolytic capacitors for high-frequency utilization [306]. 

As we mentioned in the Foreword, the uses for tape casting as a fabrication tool have advanced well beyond the scope envisioned by the pioneers in the field some 50 years ago. In this chapter we will review some of the standard applications as well as some uses that are only beginning to be recognized as potential applications for this unique fabrication technology Almost everyone involved with ceramic processing knows that thin, flat sheets can be produced using this technique, but how many ceramists appreciate the fact that 1.2 x 2.5 m (4 x 8 ft.) sheets that are 0.5 to 0.76 mm (0.020 to 0.030 in.) thick are produced by tape casting for use in the manufacture of molten carbonate fuel cells These are some of the diverse applications that we will discuss in the sections that follow. 

Phosphoric acid fuel cells have successfully been commercialized. Second generation fuel cells include solid oxide fuel cells and molten carbonate fuel cells. Research is ongoing in areas such as fuel options and new ceramic materials. Different manufacturing techniques are also being sought to help reduce capital costs. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells are still in the development and testing phase. 

Mirahmadi A, Akbari H (2012) A noble method for molten carbonate fuel cells electrolyte manufacturing. J Solid State Electrochem 16 931-936... 

A new version of MCFC technology - the direct carbon fuel cell (DCFC) - is under development at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the USA. Instead of using gaseous fuel, a slurry of finely divided carbon particles dispersed in molten alkali metal carbonates is fed to the cell. The carbon is made by the pyrolysis of almost any waste hydrocarbon e.g., petroleum coke), a process that is already carried out industrially on a large scale to produce carbon black for use in the manufacture of tyres, inks, plastic fillers, etc. The pyrolysis reaction yields hydrogen that can itself be utilized in another fuel cell ... 

In the late 1980s, the DOE shifted to the development of advanced higher temperature fuel cell technologies, especially molten carbonate and solid oxide fuel cell systems. Federal funding for these technologies resulted in private commercial manufacturing facilities and commercial sales. 

High temperature fuel cells (solid oxide and molten carbonates) efforts must be guided to materials development (catalysts, electrodes, electrolytes, plates, seals, etc), fuel cells components development and its manufacturing methods and fuel cells prototypes development. 

Polymer electrolyte, alkaline, phosphoric acid, molten carbonate, and solid oxide fuel cell technology descriptions have been updated from the previous edition. Manufacturers are focusing on reducing fuel cell life cycle costs. In this edition, we have included over 5,000 fuel cell patent abstracts and their claims. In addition, the handbook features a new fuel cell power conditioning section, and overviews on the hydrogen industry and rare earth minerals market. 

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