A Partial Oxidation Technique for Fuel-Cell Anode Exhaust-Gas Synthesis

Technical Report · Tue Nov 10 00:00:00 EST 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1658· OSTI ID:1658

Robey, Jr, Edward H; Gemmen, Randall S

This paper describes the performance of a gas generator used to synthesize the exhaust gas from the anode of a molten-carbonate fuel cell. The composition of this gas is estimated to be that of equilibrium at 1,250 ° F and 1 atm: 48% CO₂ , 39% H₂O, 5% CO, and 8% H₂, with an energy content of approximately 39 Btu/scf (higher heating value). To synthesize a range of gas compositions around this point, the gas generator partially oxidizes a mixture of CH₄ , O₂ , and CO₂ to generate energy densities between 20 and 60 Btu/scf at temperatures between 1,198 and 1,350 ° F. Results show that the technique provides a relatively high ratio of CO to H2 concentrations compared with the target composition (CO:H₂ of 2, versus 0.71). A detailed chemical model shows that the likely cause is quenching of the CO and H₂ chemistry below 2,000 ° F.

• Research Organization: Federal Energy Technology Center, Morgantown, WV, and Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE)
• OSTI ID: 1658
• Report Number(s): DOE/FETC-98/1071; M98002060; ON: DE00001658
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
Partial Oxidation Processes
Gas Generators
Performance
Synthesis
Exhaust Gases
Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells
Anodes