Graphene as Cathode Material in Molten Carbon Fuel Cells

The molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) is considered one of the best technologies for stationary power. This is due to its high efficiency, medium–high operating temperature, and low emissions. The MCFC operates at a temperature range from 600oC to 700oC and normally is combined with the gas turbine (GT) as a topping cycle. This work investigates the impact of Platinum/Graphene (Pt/G) on a combined cycle of MCFC-GT by applying the first and second laws of thermodynamics. The maximum work output of the hybrid cycle is ultimately calculated to be 1350 kW. The overall exergy efficiency achieved is 59.82%. Our findings reveal that there is an average 23% gain in the maximum work output, energy and exergy efficiencies when Pt/G is used as the cathode material compared to other materials such as Platinum/Carbon (Pt/C) and Platinum/Carbon cloth (Pt/CC).