O ₂ ‐reduction at high temperature: MCFC

Abstract

Oxygen reduction in molten carbonate is discussed in relation to the molten carbonate fuel cell. The melt chemistry of molten carbonate is found to be crucial in understanding the possible reaction mechanism and the dissolution problems of the cathode. Using concepts form linear algebra a complete set of equilibria describing the melt is constructed, which is used to derive the relative concentrations of species in the melt and possible reaction mechanisms. Experimental results are critically reviewed in the light of the theoretical predictions. Based on the obtained insight in the fundamental processes, research directions are indicated for minimizing cathode dissolution and cathode polarization, including a radical new concept of a MCFC with a separate CO 2 channel.

Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell performance analysis varying cathode operating conditions for carbon capture applications

“…( 5) and ( 6) (see section 1) as discussed e.g. by Nishina et al [57] and Hemmes et al [58], as well as deeply investigated by the authors in [49] referring to these same experimental results. It is clearly visible in Figure 1, A that H2O strongly affects the IV curves slope and plays a major role for low CO2 contents.…”