Molten carbonate fuel cells

Molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) have a molten carbonate electrolyte (usually sodium or lithium), are
suited for large-scale stationary Combined Heat and Power, and operate on hydrocarbon fuels including: natural
gas, biogas, synthesis gas (syngas), methane and propane.

How it Works
A major advantage of MCFCs is that non-expensive catalysts
can be used, in conjunction with a variety of fuels. Due to
high temperatures and long start-up times, MCFCs are
unsuitable for domestic applications. There is considerable
potential for multi-megawatt applications
MCFCs work very differently from most other types of fuel
cells, and cannot operate on pure Hydrogen alone. High
temperatures prevent the need for an external reformer,
however high temperatures also enhance corrosion and
catalyse the breakdown of components. MCFC's operate
around 650C with an electrical efficiency of around 50% rising to 85% with cogeneration
Chemical Equations:
Anode Reaction: CO32- + H2 H2O + CO2 + 2eCathode Reaction: CO2+ O2 + 2e- CO32-