Carbon dioxide emission reduction using molten carbonate fuel cell systems

摘要

The contribution of the molten carbonate fuel cell system (MCFCs) to carbon dioxide (CO_2) emission reduction in power application is analyzed. MCFCs can separate and concentrate CO_2 emitted from traditional thermal power plants (PPs) without reducing the plant's overall energy efficiency. MCFCs can also be used by itself as an effective CO_2 separator or concentrator by managing the anode gas stream to increase the heat utilization of the system. The CO_2 separated and concentrated by MCFCs is most effectively captured by condensation. MCFCs is currently used as a CO_2 separator only to a limited extent due to its high cost and relatively small scale operation. However, MCFCs will substantially contribute to reduce CO_2 emissions in power generation applications in the near future.