Stack Modelling of a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC)

A model of a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) stack including internal steam reforming is presented. It comprises a symmetric section of the stack, consisting of one half indirect internal reforming unit (IIR) and four fuel cells. The model describes the gas phase compositions, the gas and solid temperatures and the current density distribution within the highly integrated system. The model assumptions, the differential equations and boundary conditions as well as the coupling equations used in the model are shown. The strategy to solve the system of partial differential equations is outlined. The simulation results show that the fuel cells within the stack operate at different temperatures. This is expected to have an impact on the voltages as well as the degradation rates within the individual fuel cells. © 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA,Weinheim [accessed September 2nd, 2010