Lifetime modeling for molten carbonate fuel cells

For practical use of the molten carbonate fuel cell electric power generation system, a lifetime of over 40000 hours is required. The cell performance deterioration mechanism must be understood to achieve a longer lifetime. Cell performance deterioration has been discussed in terms of resistance increases of several parts of the MCFC and the occurrence of a short circuit by NiO-dissolution/Ni-deposition. Up to 20000 hours of operation, the electronic and ionic resistances increases by corrosion were the major cause of the cell performance deterioration. After 20000 hours or under a high temperature operation, the cell performance dropped owing to the ionic resistance increase and the reaction resistance increase, caused by the electrolyte matrix and the electrode pore structure changes.