Electrolyte Loss and Performance Decay of Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells

Abstract

Postmortem chemical analysis, gas chromatography, electrode polarization studies, atomic adsorption spectroscopy, and Hg intrusion porosimetry have been employed in studies of the extent of electrolyte loss from cell components and the resultant performance decay. This study has identified electrolyte creep, hardware corrosion, and chrome lithiation as the pivotal electrolyte consumption mechanisms. The principal mechanisms of performance decay are increased cell resistance, increased cathode polarization, and deteriorating gas compositions due to gas crossover and parasitic reactions at the wet seal edges of the cell.