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Molten Carbonate – Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle

T009

Key Insights and Analysis

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).

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

None.

MCFC fuel cells are being developed and tested:

  • Large prototype tested on-board the offshore supply vessel “Viking Lady” https://www.wartsila.com/marine/customer-segments/references/offshore/viking-lady
  • MC-WAP Project (Fincantieri), MCFC fuelled by diesel https://emsa.europa.eu/publications/reports/item/2921-emsa-study-on-the-use-of-fuel-cells-in-shipping.html

None.

Technical Parameters

Relevant parameters

NameValueUnitDescription
Temperature600 - 700°C
Efficiency~50%LHV electrical
Cost2,400 - 5,500USD/kWinstalled
Cell Lifetime50,000h
Temperature Resistance Materials600 - 700°Ccorrosion resistance

TRL

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

Key Countries

  • 🇯🇵 Japan
  • 🇺🇸 United States

Based on Expert Input

  • Barbara Bosio, University of Genova
  • Dimitrios Papageorgopoulos, DOE

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E-Mail: secretariat@ieafuelcell.com 

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