Fuelcell Energy, Inc.

Exxonmobil Technology and Engineering Company

Exxonmobil Research and Engineering Company

Carl A Willman

Timothy Andrew Barckholtz

Timothy C Geary

Jonathan Rosen

Chao-yi Yuh

Abdelkader Hilmi

Hossein Ghezel-Ayagh

Carla S Pereira

Lu Han

Rodrigo F Blanco Gutierrez

Gabor Kiss

Everett J O'Neal

Heather A Elsen

Timothy M Healy

Sandipan K Das

Frank J Dobek, Jr

Chao-Yi Yuh

Frank Hershkowitz

Thomas M Smith

Lawrence J Novacco

Keith E Davis

Molten carbonate fuel cell configurations are provided that include one or more baffle structures within the cathode gas collection volume. The baffle structures can reduce the unblocked flow cross-section of the cathode gas collection volume by 10% to 80%. It has been discovered that when operating a molten carbonate fuel cell under conditions for elevated COutilization, the presence of baffles can provide an unexpected benefit in the form of providing increased transference and/or increased operating voltage.

Flow field baffle for molten carbonate fuel cell cathode

Cathode collector structures and/or corresponding cathode structures are provided that can allow for improved operation for a molten carbonate fuel cell when operated under conditions for elevated COutilization. A cathode collector structure that provides an increased open area at the cathode surface can reduce or minimize the amount of alternative ion transport that occurs within the fuel cell. Additionally or alternately, grooves in the cathode surface can be used to increase the open area.

Cathode collector structures for molten carbonate fuel cell

A reforming element for a molten carbonate fuel cell stack and corresponding methods are provided that can reduce or minimize temperature differences within the fuel cell stack when operating the fuel cell stack with enhanced COutilization. The reforming element can include at least one surface with a reforming catalyst deposited on the surface. A difference between the minimum and maximum reforming catalyst density and/or activity on a first portion of the at least one surface can be 20% to 75%, with the highest catalyst densities and/or activities being in proximity to the side of the fuel cell stack corresponding to at least one of the anode inlet and the cathode inlet.

Reforming catalyst pattern for fuel cell operated with enhanced COutilization

Molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) are operated to provide enhanced COutilization. This can increase the effective amount of carbonate ion transport that is achieved. The enhanced COutilization 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 COutilization can be mitigated by using a more acidic electrolyte.

Operation of molten carbonate fuel cells with enhanced COutilization

Systems and methods are provided for operating molten carbonate fuel cells to allow for periodic regeneration of the fuel cells while performing elevated COcapture. In some aspects, periodic regeneration can be achieved by shifting the location within the fuel cells where the highest density of alternative ion transport is occurring. Such a shift can result in a new location having a highest density of alternative ion transport, while the previous location can primarily transport carbonate ions. Additionally or alternately, periodic regeneration can be performed by modifying the input flows to the fuel cell and/or relaxing the operating conditions of the fuel cell to reduce or minimize the amount of alternative ion transport.

Regeneration of molten carbonate fuel cells for deep COcapture

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Newtown, CT, United States of America

Carl A Willman