High-temperature Fuel Cells

The molten carbonate fuel cell operates at approximately 650 °C (1200 °F). The high operating temperature is needed to achieve sufficient conductivity of the carbonate electrolyte, yet allow the use of low-cost metal cell components. A benefit associated with this high temperature is that noble metal catalysts are not required for the cell electrochemical oxidation and reduction processes. Molten carbonate fuel cells are being developed for natural gas and coal-based power plants for industrial, electrical utility, and military applications (MCFCs operate more efficiently with CO2 containing bio-fuel derived gases. Performance loss on the anode due to fuel dilution is compensated by cathode side performance enhancement resulting from CO2 enrichment.). Currently, one industrial corporation is actively pursuing the commercialization of MCFCs in the U.S.: Fuel Cell Energy (FCE). Europe and Japan each have at least one developer pursuing the technology: MTU Friedrichshafen, Ansaldo (Italy), and Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (Japan). Figure 1 depicts the operating configuration of the molten carbonate fuel cell.