Dynamic exploration of a 1 MW molten carbonate electrolyzer: A modeling study approach

Abstract

The reversible use of a commercially available molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) as a molten carbonate electrolysis cell (MCEC) is an appealing prospect for both storing surplus renewable energy and converting CO2 into valuable syngas (H2 and CO). This work aims to explore the dynamic aspects of this type of electrolyzer. The study investigates the dynamic behavior of the MCEC, involving dynamic model development, degradation analysis, and cold start-up evaluation. The findings revealed that cell degradation results in a 0.8 % decrease in H2 and a 1.5 % decrease in CO at a 1 % degradation rate, rising to 7.9 % H2 and 14.3 % CO decrease at a 10 % degradation rate, necessitating an increase in the current to maintain the same production. Additionally, the study identifies the most energy-efficient cold start-up heating process for the MCEC. These insights emphasize the importance of addressing degradation issues and optimizing start-up procedures for real-world applications.