Rechargeable Direct Carbon fuel cell

Abstract

Rechargeable Direct Carbon Fuel Cell (RDCFC) uses solid carbon fuel and operates at high temperature. The RDCFC generates electric-power using carbon fuel that is charged by the decomposition of a hydrocarbon. The RDCFC utilizes unique reactions, namely, electrochemical oxidation of not only carbon but also CO produced by the reaction of CO₂ with C. Because no gas is supplied to RDCFC during power generation, t he anode of RDCFC is almost a closed system. The power generation characteristics are stable because the partial pressure of CO and CO₂, which are produced by electrochemical reactions, can be kept constant at thermal equilibrium composition while carbon fuel is present. In principle, 100% fuel utilization can be achieved, and the theoretical efficiency (DG/DH, determined by thermodynamics) is about 100%. Because the energy density of solid carbon is higher than that of either gas or liquid fuel, the RDCFC is expected to be a compact, high efficiency electric power generator. Expected applications include portable power sources for PCs and power sources for electric vehicles.