Fuelcell Energy, Inc.

Exxonmobil Technology and Engineering Company

Exxonmobil Research and Engineering Company

Other

Timothy C Geary

Jonathan Rosen

Abdelkader Hilmi

Gabor Kiss

Chao-yi Yuh

Timothy Andrew Barckholtz

Heather A Elsen

Carl A Willman

William Anthony Lamberti

Eric B Shen

Rodrigo F Blanco Gutierrez

William C Horn

Sandipan K Das

Anding Zhang

Adam Franco

Timothy A Barckholtz

Chao-Yi Yuh

Frank Hershkowitz

Thomas M Smith

Hossein Ghezel-Ayagh

Carla S Pereira

Lu Han

Lawrence J Novacco

Keith E Davis

Ethan L Demeter

William A Lamberti

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

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

An elevated target amount of electrolyte is used to initially fill a molten carbonate fuel cell that is operated under carbon capture conditions. The increased target electrolyte fill level can be achieved in part by adding additional electrolyte to the cathode collector prior to start of operation. The increased target electrolyte fill level can provide improved fuel cell performance and lifetime when operating a molten carbonate fuel cell at high current density with a low-COcontent cathode input stream and/or when operating a molten carbonate fuel cell at high COutilization.

Operation of molten carbonate fuel cells with high electrolyte fill level

A layered cathode structure for a molten carbonate fuel cell is provided, along with methods of forming a layered cathode and operating a fuel cell including a layered cathode. The layered cathode can include at least a first cathode layer and a second cathode layer. The first cathode layer can correspond to a layer that is adjacent to the molten carbonate electrolyte during operation, while the second cathode layer can correspond to a layer that is adjacent to the cathode collector of the fuel cell. The first cathode layer can be formed by sintering a layer that includes a conventional precursor material for forming a cathode, such as nickel particles. The second cathode layer can be formed by sintering a layer that includes a mixture of particles of a conventional precursor material and 1.0 vol % to 30 vol % of particles of a lithium pore-forming compound. The resulting layered cathode structure can have an increased pore size adjacent to the cathode collector to facilitate diffusion of COinto the electrolyte interface, while also having a smaller pore size adjacent to the electrolyte to allow for improved electrical contact and/or reduced polarization at the interface between the electrolyte and the cathode.

Layered cathode for molten carbonate fuel cell

Molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) are operated at elevated pressure to provide increased operating voltage and/or enhanced COutilization with a cathode input stream having a low COcontent. It has been discovered that increasing the operating pressure of a molten carbonate fuel cell when using a low CO-content cathode input stream can provide unexpectedly large increases in operating voltage while also reducing or minimizing the amount of alternative ion transport and/or enhancing COutilization.

Elevated pressure operation of molten carbonate fuel cells with enhanced COutilization

Elevated pressure operation of molten carbonate fuel cells with enhanced CO2 utilization

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

A hidden ladder unit for mounting in the stern of a boat hull that includes a horizontally disposed housing affixed to the transom that has an open front wall and a solid back wall. The housing is equipped with a mounting flange that is fastened securely to the transom. A foldable ladder is secured in the back wall of the housing which, when folded, is fully contained within the housing, and when extended, hangs downwardly from the transom to the waterline of the hull. The opening formed in the front wall of the housing is closed by means of a door that is hingedly mounted in said housing.

Self-contained ladder system for a boat

Growing community of inventors

Stamford, CT, United States of America

Timothy C Geary