Experimental investigation of porous anode degradation of a molten carbonate fuel cell fed with direct fermentation product composed of bioethanol

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to examine the performance of molten carbonate fuel cell, which is supplied with a raw bioethanol, i.e. bioethanol which origins directly from fruit fermentation, without pre-treatment of fermentation products. The composition of raw bioethanol was precisely determined and then the impact of raw bioethanol on the degradation of molten carbonate fuel cells was examined. Steam to carbon ratio of the biofuel has been determined as 5.7 (in comparison to stoichiometry of reaction) which allowed for estimation of hydrogen production during steam reforming process taking place in the anode channel. The results in the form of current-voltage curve was obtained and compared with the same fuel cell fed with pure hydrogen, while the amount of hydrogen was defined as identical with the one after steam reforming of biofuel taking place in the nickel anode channel. Relevant literature studies were focused on the purified fuel or examination of the impact of individual components. Our study proved carbon deposition is not a problem, however solid particles contamination in fermentation product makes it impossible to use fuel cell fueled with fermentation product for longer periods, and prior to supplying fuel cell the bioethanol purification is required. A raw biofuel with its impurities did not have any impact on the anode and current collector surface from physical point of view, but Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy analysis shows visible increase of ohmic loses.