Development of an internal reforming molten carbonate fuel cell stack

The development of an internal reforming molten carbonate fuel cell (IR-MCFC) has been in process of test generation of 10-100 kW class stack. This paper reports the test results of 30 kW and 10 kW stacks. In the 30 kW stack, reforming catalyst is directly provided in the anode flow path. The stack demonstrates highly stable characteristics including internal reforming performance. The deterioration rate of average cell voltage is approximately 5 mV/1000 h. The 10 kW stack adopted an advanced internal reforming concept, which is composed of primary reforming units inserted in the laminated cells, and of a secondary reforming layer in the anode flow path with reforming catalyst. Improvement in the heat balance between endothermic reaction, i.e. reforming reaction and exothermic reaction, i.e. cell reaction brought about a good temperature distribution and high cooling performance, and resulted in a high performance of the stack.