Goal
Generate electricity from coal with twice the power efficiency while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.
Problem
Low efficiency and high CO_2 emissions of conventional coal-fired power plants.
Concept Summary
A direct carbon fuel cell that uses a carbon (or carbon composite) anode, a metal-oxide cathode, and a low-medium temperature ceria-based electrolyte. Coal and air react electrochemically to produce electricity and pure CO_2 as a by-product.
Detailed Description
The invention consists of a power-molded button cell with the electrolyte sandwiched between a carbon-based anode and a metal-oxide cathode. The electrolyte is a single or double-phase low-medium temperature ceria composite. Pressed sheets of anode and cathode are 1-2 mm thick. When operated at 600-650 deg C the cell delivers about 0.25 W cm^-^2, roughly twice the performance of comparable cells reported in the United States, and produces pure CO_2 that can be captured easily.
Principles
- Electrochemical oxidation of carbon
- Fuel-cell operation
- High-temperature ceramic electrolyte ion transport
Scientific Domains
Materials
- Carbon (or carbon composite)
- Metal oxide (cathode)
- Ceria composite electrolyte
Mechanisms of Action
- Carbon oxidation at the anode releases electrons
- Oxygen reduction at the cathode consumes electrons
- Oxygen ions migrate through the ceria electrolyte
Energy Sources
Applications
- Power generation
- Industrial electricity
- Carbon capture
Claimed Performance
~=0.25 W cm^-^2 at 600-650 deg C, about twice the performance of similar fuel cells.
Experimental Evidence
Prototype testing showed the cell delivering twice the power from coal and achieving 0.25 W cm^-^2 at 600-650 deg C.
Replication Status
Prototype tested by the research team; no independent replication reported.
Limitations
- Requires high operating temperature (600-650 deg C)
- Scale-up and cost of ceramic electrolyte
- Dependence on coal supply
