(641e) A Hybrid Molten-Solid Oxide Direct Carbon Fuel Cell

Direct Carbon Fuel Cell (DCFC) could be the most efficient device for converting the chemical energy in a solid fuel to electricity. The concentrated carbon dioxide generated from this fuel cell can also be more effectively captured and sequestered. Direct usage of solid fuel in a DCFC requires a liquid electrolyte in order to facilitate ionic transport between the solid fuel and the electrolyte. Several studies have proposed bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) as a good electrolyte because of its high oxide ion conductivity.

Present study involves the proposed use of molten bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) as a potential electrolyte for a DCFC system. It is chosen because of its lower melting point and high ionic conductivity. In this study a four point conductivity measurement of molten bismuth oxide is done using an AC milli-ohmmeter. A DC multi-meter is also used to check whether molten bismuth oxide exhibits mixed conductivity.

Since bismuth oxide is a mixed conductor a pure solid state ionic electrolyte can be placed in between cell cathode and the molten electrolyte in order to prevent shorting of the anode and air cathode. Preliminary electrochemical performance of this direct carbon fuel cell will be discussed in this presentation.