DEVELOPMENT OF SULFUR-TOLERANT COMPONENTS FOR THE MOLTEN CARBONATE FUEL CELL.

Abstract

The sulfur tolerance of candidate anode and anode current collector materials for the molten carbonate fuel cell were evaluated in an electrochemical half-cell using both steady-state and transient potentiostatic techniques. H//2S was introduced into the fuel at concentration using low-Btu fuel, both nickel and cobalt were observed to undergo a negative shift in their open-circuit potentials, and high anodic and cathodic currents were observed compared with clean fuels. Of the anode materials evaluated Mg//0//. //0//5La//0//. //9//5Cr0//3 and TiC showed good stability in the anodic region. With the former material, exchange current densities in low-Btu fuel were calculated to be approximately equals 11 mA/cm**2 at 650 degree C, lower values than found for either nickel or cobalt anodes under similar conditions.