Development of molten carbonate fuel cell power plant technology. Quarterly technical progress report No. 1, October 1, 1979-December 31, 1979

Technical Report · Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5353636· OSTI ID:5353636

Healy, H. C.; Sanderson, R. A.; Wertheim, R. J.; Farris, P. F.; Mientek, A. P.; Nickols, R. C.; Katz, M.; Iczkowski, R. P.; Fredley, R. R.; Stewart, R. C.; Kunz, H. R.; Gruver, G. A.; Bregoli, L. J.; Smith, S. W.; Steuernagel, W. H.; Szymanski, S. T.

The overall objective of this 29-month program is to develop and verify the design of a prototype molten carbonate fuel cell stack which meets the requirements of 1990's competitive coal-fired electrical utility central station or industrial cogeneration power plants. During the first quarter, effort was initiated in all four major task areas: Task 1 - system studies to define the reference power plant design; Task 2 - cell and stack design, development and verification; Task 3 - preparation for fabrication and testing of the full-scale prototype stack; and Task-4 developing the capability for operation of stacks on coal-derived gas. In the system study task, a study baseline fuel cell system and module configuration were established. Studies to determine user requirements and to characterize the fuel cell power block and coal gasifier subsystems were initiated. Cell stack design was initiated with completion of preliminary design requirements for the cell cathodes. Laboratory tests were also initiated to identify alternative materials for separator plates, reactant manifold seals, and electrolyte tile fillers. A mechanical tape casting technique for producing 18 x 24 inch sheets of electrolyte matrix tape was successfully demonstrated in Task 3. In Task 4, theoretical and experimental studies were initiated to define the effects of known sulfur contaminants on cell performance. A literature survey was initiated to identify other possible contaminants. Planning and design efforts for construction of a mobile cell test unit were initiated. The mobile unit will be used to verify the molten carbonate cell's ability to operate on gasified coal by tests at a gasifier site.

• Research Organization: United Technologies Corp., South Windsor, CT (USA). Power Systems Div.
• DOE Contract Number: AC01-79ET15440
• OSTI ID: 5353636
• Report Number(s): DOE/ET/15440-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
COAL FUEL CELLS
DESIGN
FUEL CELL POWER PLANTS
CO-GENERATION
MOLTEN CARBONATE FUEL CELLS
BATTERY SEPARATORS
BOTTOMING CYCLES
COAL GASIFICATION
COOLING SYSTEMS
DUAL-PURPOSE POWER PLANTS
ELECTROLYTES
FUEL SYSTEMS
IMPURITIES
MATRIX MATERIALS
PERFORMANCE
POISONING
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SEALS
SULFUR
THERMODYNAMICS
WASTE HEAT
DEUS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
FUEL CELLS
GASIFICATION
HEAT
HIGH-TEMPERATURE FUEL CELLS
MATERIALS
NONMETALS
POWER GENERATION
POWER PLANTS
REACTOR MATERIALS
STEAM GENERATION
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
WASTES
300501* - Fuel Cells- Design & Development