Partial Oxidation Technique for Fuel-Cell Anode Exhaust-Gas Synthesis

摘要

This paper describes the performance of a gas generator used to synthesize the exhaust gas from the anode of a molten-carbonate fuel cell. The composition of this gas is estimated to be that of equilibrium at 1,250 &amp;deg; F and 1 atm: 48% CO&lt;sub& gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; , 39% H&lt;sub& gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O, 5% CO, and 8% H&lt; sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;, with an energy content of approximately 39 Btu/scf (higher heating value). To synthesize a range of gas compositions around this point, the gas generator partially oxidizes a mixture of CH&lt;sub& gt;4&lt;/sub> , O< sub>2</sub> , and CO₂ to generate energy densities between 20 and 60 Btu/scf at temperatures between 1,198 and 1,350 &deg; F. Results show that the technique provides a relatively high ratio of CO to H2 concentrations compared with the target composition (CO:H₂ of 2, versus 0.71). A detailed chemical model shows that the likely cause is quenching of the CO and H₂ chemistry below 2,000 &deg; F.