Modeling the transport processes within multichannel molten carbonate fuel cells

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 85 - 97
• Main Authors: Ma, Z, Jeter, S.M, Abdel-Khalik, S.I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Flow distribution; Fuel cells; Molten carbonate fuel cell; Fuel cells; Flow distribution; Molten carbonate fuel cell; Transport process; Gas flow; Heat mass transfer; Heat flow; Molten carbonate fuel cells; Performance; Electrochemical reaction; Modeling
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/S0360-3199(02)00044-7

Increased concern over the environment degradation due to the emission of green house gases and interest in co-generating electricity and heat have stimulated intensive development of the fuel cell technology. In order to reduce the fuel cell manufacturing costs and to improve its performance, a better understanding of the fuel and oxidant species transport processes within fuel cells is critical. Fuel and oxidant flow distributions through fuel cell channels, usually through distribution manifold, have significant impact on fuel cell performance and efficiency. To this end, this paper presents the effects of the fuel and oxidant flow distributions on multi-channel fuel cell performance using a model of gas flow, heat and mass transfer with the electrochemical reactions for molten carbonate fuel cells.