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This paper describes the fuel cell research and development activities at Warsaw University of Technology by reviewing in particular the progress made in the development of Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFC). Porous nickel electrodes were prepared by loose powder sintering, slurry casting and tape casting techniques. These efforts are directed toward gaining a better understanding of and improving the components of molten carbonate fuel cells operating at temperatures near 650°C. Cell testing is performed to assess individual and collective component behavior. Nickel electrodes oxidized under in situ conditions were used as the cathode. The tape casting technique was used to make the matrix. [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]

• 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]