Molten Carbonate - Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle

 

Technology Description

High-temperature (600-700C) molten carbonate fuel cells are more applicable for systems that run for extended periods of time without frequent start and stop cycles. They have found application in distributed power generation applications. The high temperature allows them to operate with a variety of primary fuels with a reformer, thus offering simplified operation on fossil and renewable fuels.

They can have large modules (up to 500 kW of power) and have a good lifetime (on the order of 50,000 hours). Their typical electrical efficiency is around 50% and this can be optimized to 85% with heat recovery (source: www.dnvgl.com/maritime/publications/alternative-fuel-assessment-download.html.

Further improvements in power density may be required to facilitate the use of MCFCs for larger vessels.

Picture: Freepik.com

Relevant parameters

Temperature (ºC)                  600-700
Efficiency (kWh/kg)   ~ 50% (LHV) electrical
System cost (€/MW)  $2,400-$5,500/ kW installed
Cell lifetime (h)50,000
Temperature resistance materialsCorrosion resistance at 600-700C

 

TRL

According to work of the AFC TCP, the TRL of this technology is: 7

Key Countries

Based on expert input:

Bosio, Barbara (University of Genova)

Papageorgopoulos, Dimitrios (DOE)

You can download the full report here.

The Technology Collaboration Programme on the Research, Development and Demonstration on Advanced Fuel Cells (Advanced Fuel Cells Technology Collaboration Programme, AFC TCP) functions within a framework created by the International Energy Agency (IEA). The activities of the AFC TCP are coordinated by the IEA’s Working Party on Energy End-use Technologies (EUWP). Views, findings and publications of the AFC TCP do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the IEA Secretariat or of its individual member countries.