Modeling and providing a new method for evaluating performance of molten carbonate fuel cell with indirect internal Reforming for application in the aerospace industry

Fuel cells have attracted considerable interest during the recent years. Among the different types, high temperature fuel cells are very promising because of their high efficiency, fuel flexibility and high temperature of the exhaust heat which can be used for cogeneration. Among the high temperature fuel cells, Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC) has several advantages but is studied less than others. Co2 capturing and internal reforming are its benefits. Internal reforming eliminates the need for external reformers and increases the overall efficiency of the system. In order to better understand the performance of MCFC, in this study, the model of MCFC with indirect internal reforming is developed step by step. The model is developed in a way that has a proper response speed and accuracy. Given that MCFC is a developing technology particularly in our country, evaluating the performance of this technology under different condition could be useful in further progress of MCFC. In order to evaluate the parameters of molten carbonate fuel cell, the impact of parameters such as pressure, fuel cell inlet temperature, steam to carbon ratio, utilization factor of fuel and utilization factor of air and carbon dioxide on the efficiency of the fuel cell is examined. Given that MCFC is a developing technology, particularly in our country, evaluating the performance of this technology under different conditions could be useful in further progress of MCFC. According to the sensitivity analysis conducted, parameters such as pressure, steam to carbon ration, fuel cell inlet temperature and utilization factor of fuel have the most impact on the efficiency of MCFC. With increasing pressure, efficiency is reduced from 56% to 42%. Also, increasing steam to carbon ratio, fuel cell inlet temperature and utilization factor of fuel increases the efficiency by 6.2%, 7.5% and 14.3%, respectively. On the other hand, the utilization factor of air and carbon dioxide have the least impact on the efficiency of MCFC.