Modeling of Long-Term Decay in the Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell

A modeling study of long-term decay modes in molten carbonate fuel cells is presented. The equilibrium thermodynamics of molten carbonate melts is treated using conformal ionic solution theory. Under fuel cell conditions hydroxide vaporization is the dominant vaporization mechanism. Models for electrolyte loss are developed. The issue of electrolyte homogeneity is addressed. Electrolyte loss from 1 m**2 molten carbonate fuel cells is computed as a function of cell pressure, cathode utilization, cell impedance, cell voltage and gas stream H//2 _O content. The simulation of the effects of electrolyte loss on cell performance in laboratory-size cells is presented. The effect of electrode sintering on cell performance is discussed.