Comparative study on the electrochemical performance of coals and coal chars in a molten carbonate direct carbon fuel cell with a novel anode structure

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2023-03, Vol.48 (27), p.10191-10202
• Main Authors: Bie, Kang, Fu, Peifang, Liu, Yang, Muhammad, Ahsan, Xu, Tianyao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coal; Coal char; Direct carbon fuel cell; Electrochemical performance; Molten carbonate
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.12.144

Molten carbonate direct carbon fuel cells (MC-DCFCs) allow the efficient and clean use of coal. In this study, a novel anode structure is designed, and the performances of six coal-based fuels are investigated in MC-DCFC. The mechanisms of performance differences are investigated, as well as the effect of operating temperature on performance. The results reveal the fuel cell performance in the following order: meagre coal (109.8) ≈ bituminous coal (108.7) > bituminous coal char (98.1) > lignite coal (83.7) > lignite coal char (71.3) > meagre coal char (53.2) in mW cm−2. Coal performs better because of its high carbon content, high volatile content, rich oxygen-containing functional groups, larger specific surface area, stronger thermal reactivity, and other factors. The electrochemical reactivity of coal fuel increased with higher reaction temperatures and varied throughout the temperature ranges. This study implies that using coal fuel to commercialize MC-DCFC could be a realistic alternative. [Display omitted] •Performance of six coal fuels are investigated in an MC-DCFC with a new anode.•Maximum peak power density of 109.8 mW cm−2 is obtained with a meagre coal.•Mechanism of their performance differences is analyzed.•Their performance stability are discussed.•Effect of operating temperature on the performance is explored.