Development of Indirect Internal Reforming Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell

Abstract

Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC) has high potential in being used as an energy converter of various fuels to electricity and heat. MCFC yields few envioronmental polutions and meets a reduction in the green house problem. Development of indirect internal reforming molten carbonate fuel cell (IIR-MCFC) was initiated by the Kansai Electric Power Company and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. IIR-MCFC has several advantages. (1) Higher efficiency is expected because of efficient utilization of heat from cell reaction to reforming reaction. (2) Longer life compared with direct internal reforming MCFC is expected by means of loading reforming catalyst in the cell separated from the electrolyte vapor which causes deactivation of the reforming catalyst.
A 3kW, a 10kW, a 30kW and a 100kW class stack were operated successfully. Output power of 100kW class stack generated 109kW in IIR mode. (direct methane feed) In the test of the 30kW and the 100kW class stack, PSA (pressure swing adsorption) to separate carbon dioxide from the anode exhaust gas is installed in the anode gas recycle loop to the cathode.