Adeniyi O.D. and Ewan B.C.R. (2012), Electrochemical conversion of switchgrass and poplar in molten carbonate direct carbon fuel cell, International Journal of Ambient Energy, Taylor & Francis Group LLC, London, U.K, 33:4, 204-208 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01430750.2012.709357. ISSN: 0143–0750 print/ 2162–8246 online. http://www.tandfonline.com.

Abstract

One way of sustaining fuel cell technology is using renewable and sustainable energy means provided by biomass. This article explores switchgrass and poplar in a molten carbonate electrolyte direct carbon fuel cell. It investigates their electrochemical conversions and provides results of power density, current density, open circuit voltage (OCV) and other parameters. The biomasses were pyrolysed at 800 C to produce carbon fuels. Biomass carbon fuels were mixed with molten carbonate and subjected to different operating conditions (600–800 C) in the fuel cell. The electrochemical performances of the poplar fuel were better than those experienced with switchgrass fuel. At 800 C the OCV of poplar fuel (1.08 V) has higher output than switchgrass (0.87 V). The peak power density recorded for poplar fuel was 23.91mW/cm2 while switchgrass fuel was lower at 21.60 mW/cm2. Poplar fuel (81.53 mA/cm2) gave a maximum current density with switchgrass fuel lower at 74.00 mA/cm2.