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The research presents an overview of the possibilities of using boron-containing compounds as electrolytes for fuel cells. The main assumption here is to develop a molten carbonate fuel cell type power source, where the molten electrolyte is kept by a ceramic matrix between the electrodes. In the cases which are described in this study, attempts were made to develop electrolytes based on borates. Whereas the reported studies contain very little information on this subject, it was possible to identify several promising compounds and to extrapolate their performance to higher temperatures. Reported data on the temperature at eutectic points suggest that the operating range of such electrolytes is at a level like the molten carbonate fuel cell. The study presents a proposal for a mathematical model of a new type of fuel cell based on molten borates. The mathematical model is based on the reduced order model, supplemented with the influence of the ceramic matrix on the resulting ionic conductivity of the electrolyte layer. The model was used to determine potential performances for a few selected borates and a sensitivity analysis of selected geometric parameters was performed for the best of them. The results obtained were compared against the standard molten carbonate fuel cell. • Conductivities of various boron compounds have been investigated and compared. • Application of boron-containing compounds in fuel cells electrolyte has been analyzed. • A model of molten borate fuel cell has been developed. • Borates occurring to have higher potential than carbonates what might result in higher efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of research into improving the ionic conductivity of Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell by modifying the matrix material. So far, we have succeeded in using materials such as YSZ and SDC, but we are now trying to use powders based on Ba Na and TiO 2. These materials are characterized by their oxygen ion conductivity at elevated temperatures. A matrix of these materials was produced and used to build MCFCs. Based on the experiments carried out and the mathematical model of the fuel cell, the contribution of the oxygen ion conductivity to the total ionic conductivity was determined. • Research on oxygen ion conduction materials was performed. • BNT material has best oxygen ion conductivity parameters and was chosen for experiments. • New matrix made of BNT was manufactured. • Composite Li/K and BNT membrane was investigated under EIS and in fuel cell. • Model including ionic conductivity and tortuosity is presented and validated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to examine the possibility of improving the manufacturing process for MCFC cathodes. using noble, semi-precious, and rare earth metals sourced from waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE). As MCFC components are not particularly sensitive to ceramic and metal impurities. The addition of noble metals recovered from WEEE as catalysts are economically justifiable. The reported experimental research revealed the positive impact of MCFC cathode fabricated with 20% recycled electronic scrap. Especially the cell with powder marked as 4/1 enjoyed much better performance operating at 550 °C than the reference cell. During the operation at a temperature of 650 °C, the cell with powder marked as 4/1 has almost the same performance as the reference cell, i.e., 1.01 V OCV and power density of 0.13 A/cm2. The cell with cathode with 4/2 powder has the worst performance – current density of 0.09 A/cm2 and OCV of 0.97 V. [Display omitted] • Rare earth elements separated by positive charge contains less cerium than separated by negative charge. • The maximum current densities and Open Circuit Values are similar as reference case for maximum gas flows. • The maximum current densities and Oper Circuit Voltages are better with additives for lower operational temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides an overview of knowledge on how to model fuel cells using software which is oriented to system modeling. The overview covers several types of fuel cell such as SOFC, MCFC and PEMFC. Fuel cells were modeled using mainly three types of software, i.e. Aspen Hysys, Aspen Plus and Matlab. Based on our literature review, we decided to use Aspen Hysys to create a proton conducting SOFC model. Model construction is based on a reduced order approach that we published earlier. We used available experimental data to verify the model we created on. The results generated by the model and the experimental data were then subjected to an error analysis. Only two of all the articles found contained a set of information that was fit for the purpose of validating the model. The model maps the work of the proton conducting SOFC with high accuracy, i.e., an error of 0.01 V. • The methodology for model implementation in available software is reported. • The model represents an alternative approach for voltage prediction of a H + SOFC. • A validation process for the models implemented in Aspen Hysys/Excel is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the performance of a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) fed directly with liquid fuels referenced against results with hydrogen fuel in experiments conducted by the research team. Alcohols have greater energy density than pure hydrogen in normal conditions and, if presented as biofuels, the MCFC can be deemed a renewable energy source. For evaluation purposes various alcohols occurring in standard conditions in the liquid state were used for electricity generation in the MCFC: methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol and glycerol. Since these alcohols can be subjected to steam reforming when mixed with water in specific ratios, they can be delivered directly in the liquid state to the fuel cell, where hydrogen is released and used to produce electricity and heat. The alcohols were mixed with water in ratios of 1:2, 1:3, 1:4. The results were compared to the MCFC fed with pure hydrogen as a fuel. In terms of power referenced to hydrogen (100%), the maximums achieved were 78% for butanol, 80% for glycerol, 83% for propanol, 86% for ethanol and 93% for methanol in comparison to the same amount of hydrogen delivered to the fuel cell in ideal steam reforming situation. Threats such as carbon deposition on the fuel cell surface were also evaluated. • MCFC fed directly with various mixtures of alcohols and water have been studied. • The steam reforming of mixtures of alcohols and water generates energy. • Temperature and anode material provide the necessary conditions for steam reforming. • Maximum power compared to hydrogen fuel for various fuels ranges between 78 and 93%. • Carbon deposition in the anode channel of commercial units can be a problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research proposes idea of new kind of high temperature fuel cell – Molten Borate Fuel Cell (MBFC). The idea of new fuel cell is based on technical modification of well-known Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell by changing electrolyte composition to a borate-based mixture. The cell was tested in laboratory conditions as proof-of-concept investigation and reached OCV at around 1 V and 0.05 A/cm2 of current density. The optimization of borate-based electrolyte composition was conducted with a help of ANN and experimentally verified. The deep feedforward artificial neural network (DFF ANN) was proposed in this study to model the behavior of the new Molten Borate Fuel Cell. This modeling approach is well-known as a potent tool for dealing with complicated modeling and prediction tasks. This study presented many network designs for a range of operating circumstances. The ANN has been used to model and optimize the SOFC, MCFC, and PEMFC, but the design and performance of the MBFC were not previously investigated. The innovative type of fuel cells at issue - Molten Borate Fuel Cells - were designed and optimized using a deep learning algorithm. The most advanced model provides a dynamic forecast of fuel cell operation, taking thermal-flow and electrolyte material factors into account. With an average inaccuracy of 0.3%, all the models performed fair enough. An ANN-based technique may also be used to improve cell operating parameters. Moreover, the operating composition of a novel molten borate electrolyte might be improved in terms of electrochemical performance of the fuel cell. • New type of fuel cells is proposed. • Various electrolyte compositions are proposed. • The selected electrolyte composition were tested experimentally. • The Artificial Neural Network is built for tailoring the electrolyte compositions. • New composition is proposed by the ANN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The model of molten carbonate fuel cell was created in ASPEN Hysys environment. • The model of system integration of the MCFC with LNG-based piston engine was created in ASPEN Hysys environment. • Also, the short review of the use of fuel cell in marine application is presented. • The sensitivity analysis of MCFC-piston engine fueled by LNG were generated based of the model. This study presents a proposed hybrid ship propulsion system combining an internal combustion engine and a molten carbonate fuel cell both powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). Exhaust from the internal combustion engine is used as a CO 2 source for cell operation, reducing CO 2 emissions. Use of fuel stored at very low temperature requires heat for evaporation purposes. The fuel is used to condense water vapor from the fuel cell exhaust gases, returning the remainder to the fuel cell with the right amount of water. This solution increases the electricity generation efficiency of the fuel cell. We analyzed two different system configurations that differ in the way the anode off-gas is recirculated. In the first, all the unoxidized fuel is recirculated to the anode inlet; in the second, off-gas is joined with engine flue gas, and residual fuel burned in a combustion chamber before being sent to the cathode of the fuel cell, allowing to maintain an optimal CO 2 :O 2 ratio in the cathode flow of the fuel cell. A detailed numerical model of the system including cell operation was created in Aspen Hysys and optimized to maximize the system efficiency. Results showed that in configuration I the efficiency gain is about 4.9% with respect to the traditional engine. In configuration II the efficiency gain was only about 0.8%. We also analyzed the sensitivity of the systems from the point of view of the limitations occurring here (e.g., steam-to-carbon ratio or operating temperature). Finally, we discussed the size of such a fuel cell in relation to the internal combustion engine, the entire ship, as well as the impact of the increase in efficiency on the range of the vessel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]