Mass transport in the cathode electrode of a molten carbonate fuel cell

A molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) is an electro-chemical energy conversion technology that runs on natural gas and employs a molten salt electrolyte. In order to keep the electrolyte in this state, the cell must be kept at a temperature above 500 C, eliminating the need for precious metals as the catalyst. There has been only a limited amount of research on modelling the transport processes inside this device, mainly due to its limited ability for mobile applications. In this thesis, three one-dimensional models of a MCFC are presented based on different types of diffusion and convection. Comparisons between models are performed so as to assess their validity. Regarding ion transport, it is shown that there exists a limiting case for ion migration across the cathode that depends on the conductivity for the liquid potential. Finally, an optimization of the diffusivity across the cathode is carried out in an attempt to increase the cell performance and its longevity.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Modelling and Computational Science

Grantor

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Findlay, Justin Earl

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Berg, Peter

• molten carbonate fuel cell
• MCFC
• electro-chemical energy conversion
• molten salt electrolyte

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10155/19

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ontariotechu.scholaris.ca:10155/19