Development of electrolyte plate for molten carbonate fuel cell

It is important for the commercialization of molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) to improve the endurance and the reliability of the electrolyte plate. The electrolyte-loss in the electrolyte plate increases the cell resistance and deteriorates the cell voltage. The formation of cracks in the electrolyte plate causes a gas cross leakage between the fuel gas and the oxidizer gas. The pore structure of electrolyte plate must be stable and fine to support liquid electrolyte under MCFC operation. It is necessary to prevent the formation of cracks in electrolyte plate during thermal cycling. We have improved the stability of electrolyte plate using advanced LiAlO2 powder and improved the durability of electrolyte plate for thermal cycling by the addition of the ceramic fiber. The initial cell voltage using electrolyte plate with advanced LiAlO2 powder was 820mV at current density 150mA/cm(2) and the decay rate of cell voltage was under 0.5%/1000h for 8,800h. According to the post analyses, the pore structure of the electrolyte plate did not change. The stability of advanced LiAlO2 powder was confirmed. It was proved that the electrolyte plate reinforced with ceramic fiber is effective for thermal cycling.