Evaluation of natural-gas molten-carbonate power plants. Final technical report, January 11, 1982-October 31, 1984

Technical Report · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5448696

Meyer, A P

The use of natural-gas molten-carbonate power plants in industrial cogeneration applications has been shown to significantly reduce energy cost, expand industrial use of gas, and reduce oil imports. Of the concepts evaluated, those based upon improved integration of the fuel-cell stack and fuel processor provided the highest potential. To realize this improved potential, work would be required to achieve cell performance, endurance and cost goals, and integration levels not yet reached. The objective of this program was to investigate, define, and demonstrate solutions to the endurance-limiting phenomena in molten-carbonate fuel cells, and to investigate by test the key issues of improved integration of the molten-carbonate fuel-cell stack and a natural-gas fuel processor. The primary mechanism of performance loss of molten carbonate fuel cells was found to be electrochemical reactions that result in the loss of electrolyte through the wet seals. A control of these reactions and a modified design were calculated to be capable of drastically reducing decay. Experimental bench-scale cell performance was obtained over a range of fuel compositions and pressures resulting in the optimization of system conditions which result in minimum cost of electricity for the sensible-heat reforming power plant.

• Research Organization: United Technologies Corp., South Windsor, CT (USA). Power Systems Div.
• OSTI ID: 5448696
• Report Number(s): PB-85-220648/XAB; FCR-5196
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030000 -- Natural Gas
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300502* -- Fuel Cells-- Performance & Testing
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
ELECTROLYTES
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL CELL POWER PLANTS
FUEL CELLS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
HIGH-TEMPERATURE FUEL CELLS
MOLTEN CARBONATE FUEL CELLS
NATURAL GAS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
POWER PLANTS
TESTING