Fabrication and Operation Characteristics of Electrolyte Impregnated Matrix and Cathode for Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells

In this work, an electrolyte impregnated cathode and matrix were fabricated using (Li/Na)₂CO₃ powders for use in a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC). 87% of cathode pores and 90% of matrix pores were filled with electrolyte. A 25 cm² single cell was used with electrolyte impregnated components. Cell performance of the single cell with electrolyte impregnated components showed a similar performance to a conventional single cell. After cell operation, electrolyte was found to have moved to the anode, cathode and matrix. The remaining electrolyte in matrix pores, cathode pores and anode pores are 94.62%, 42.75%, was 21.56%, respectively. By using electrolyte impregnated components, the change of the wet-seal height was decreased 86.78% (to 0.23 mm) comparing with the conventional cell. Electrolyte impregnated components will provide simplified pretreatment process and remove problems in the pretreatment condition such as non-uniform electrolyte melting.