US 11,888,187 B2 · Operation of molten carbonate fuel cells with enhanced CO2 utilization

Abstract

Molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) are operated to provide enhanced CO2 utilization. This can increase the effective amount of carbonate ion transport that is achieved. The enhanced CO2 utilization is enabled in part by operating an MCFC under conditions that cause transport of alternative ions across the electrolyte. The amount of alternative ion transport that occurs during enhanced CO2 utilization can be mitigated by using a more acidic electrolyte.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A method for producing electricity in a molten carbonate fuel cell comprising an electrolyte, the method comprising:

operating a molten carbonate fuel cell comprising an anode and a cathode at a transference of 0.95 or less and an average current density of 60 mA/cm2 or more, to generate an anode exhaust comprising H2, CO, and CO2, and a cathode exhaust comprising 2.0 vol % or less CO2, 1.0 vol % or more O2, and 1.0 vol % or more H2O.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

16/695,281Filed 26 Nov 2019 · us provisional application

Priority

30 Nov 2018

Published

US 2020/0176789 A14 Jun 2020

Granted

30 Jan 2024

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification20 codes

H01M 8/04179
With product water removal: by purging or increasing flow or pressure of reactants
H01M 8/14
Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof: fuel cells with fused electrolytes
H01M 8/04753
Pressure; Flow: of fuel cell reactants
H01M 8/145
Characterised by the electrolyte material: comprising carbonates

Operation of molten carbonate fuel cells with enhanced CO2 utilization

Life of this patent

Operation of molten carbonate fuel cells with enhanced CO2 utilization

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16