Technology and Applications of Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells

Technology and Applications of Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells 

Barbara Bosio, Elisabetta Arato, and Paolo Creppi 

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I 3 Technology and Applications of Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells... 

The section on intermediate temperature fuel cells has just one entry on each fuel cell type. With decreasing operation temperature, the Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell technology is critically discussed (Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells) before two related systems relying on the unique protrui conducting properties of phosphoric acid are described. While the well-established phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) is developed for stationary applications (Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells for Stationary Applications), polybenzimidazole (used as a matrix for phosphoric acid) fuel cells even have some potential for mobile and small applications (Polybenzimidazole Fuel Cell Technology). 

Cassir M and Belhomme C (1999), Technological applications of molten salts the case of the molten carbonate fuel cell . Plasmas Ions, 2,3-15. 

The authors experience has led them to develop two codes for the stack simulation, namely MCFC-D3S (Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell Dynamic and Steady-State Simulation [30]) and SlMulation of Fuel Cells (SIMFCs [6]). The former is specific to AFCo technology and the basis of a patent [31] and the latter is more general and applicable to different technologies. 

Frey H, Kessler A, Munch W, Edel M, Nerlich V (2009) Chapter 68 Field experience with molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with an emphasis on degradation. In Vielstich W, Yokokawa H, Gasteiger HA (eds) Handbook of fuel cells fundamental technology and applications, vol 6. Advanced in electrocatalysis, materials, diagnostics and durability part 2. Wiley, Chichester, pp 992-1001... 

Meyer et al. also described the full range of hydrocarbon fuelled fuel cell systems that International Fuel Cells, LLC had developed by the year 2000 [627]. The fuels ranged from methane to heavy hydrocarbons and the system size from 500 W to 11 MW. The fuel cell technology, which was suppUed with hydrogen from the fuel processors, were reported to cover alkaline, proton exchange, molten carbonate and phosphoric acid fuel cells. However, no details were provided concerning the specific applications or performance of these systems. 

The fuel cell has already proved its usefulness in space technology and there are excellent prospects for its commerical application. Application on a large scale is not expected during the 20th century. The alkaline cell and the phosphoric acid cell are technically well developed, but from a commerical point of view it is questionable whether or not they will be of interest when other types reach technical maturity. The molten carbonate cell and the solid oxide cell seem to have the best prospects. For mobile application the solid polymer cell is a strong candidate. 

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