Electrochemical analysis of a molten carbonate fuel cell with internal reforming

This paper analyzes an electrochemical model of a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) with internal reforming. Methane is selected as fuel for the MCFC. The steps of modeling can be summarized as follows: First, equilibrium gas composition at the fuel cell exit is derived in terms fuel utilization ratio, molar flow rate of fuel inlet and extents of steam reforming and water-gas shift reaction. Second, by determination polarization losses of the fuel cell, terminal voltage is calculated. Finally, power output, electrical efficiency and thermal efficiency are determined. For parametric analysis, the effect of a fuel utilization ratio which is a critical parameter is analyzed. The results indicate that increasing fuel utilization ratio results in high electrical efficiency and high thermal efficiency but lower power output of the fuel cell

Keywords:

molten carbonate fuel cell , internal reforming , electrochemical model