A novel configuration for direct internal reforming stacks

Abstract

This paper presents a stack concept that can be applied to both molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) internal reforming stacks. It employs anode recycle and allows the design of very simple system configurations, while giving enhanced efficiencies and high specific power densities. The recycle of anode exit gas to the anode inlet has previously been proposed as a means of preventing carbon deposition in direct internal reforming (DIR) stacks. When applied to a normal stack this reduces the Nernst voltages because the recycle stream is relatively depleted in hydrogen. In the concept proposed here, known as the `Smarter' stack, there are two anode exit streams, one of which is depleted, while the other is relatively undepleted. The depleted stream passes directly to the burner, and the undepleted stream is recycled to the stack inlet. By this means high Nernst voltages are achieved in the stack. The concept has been simulated and assessed for parallel-flow and cross-flow MCFC and SOFC stacks and graphs are presented showing temperature distributions. The `Smarter' stacks employ a high recycle rate resulting in a reduced natural gas concentration at the stack inlet, and this reduces or eliminates the unfavourable temperature dip. Catalyst grading can further improve the temperature distribution. The concept allows simple system configurations in which the need for fuel pre-heat is eliminated. Efficiencies are up to 10 percentage points higher than for conventional stacks with the same cell area and maximum stack temperature. The concept presented here was devised in a project part-funded by the EU, and has been adopted by the European Advanced DIR–MCFC development programme led by BCN.