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Molten carbonate fuel cells fed with biogas: Combating H2S

TitleMolten carbonate fuel cells fed with biogas: Combating H2S
Publication TypeArticolo su Rivista peer-reviewed
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsCiccoli, R., Cigolotti V., R. Presti Lo, Massi E., McPhail S.J., Monteleone G., Moreno A., Naticchioni V., Paoletti C., Simonetti E., and Zaza F.
JournalWaste Management
Volume30
Pagination1018-1024
ISSN0956053X
Keywordsalternative fuel, Alternative fuels, Anaerobic, Anaerobic digestion, Anaerobic digestion process, anaerobic fermentation, article, Bacteria, biofuels, Biogas, Biomass, carbon, carbonate, carbonic acid, Conservation of Energy Resources, Corrosion stability, Electricity, Electrochemical conversion, electrochemical method, Electrochemical performance, Electrochemistry, Energy conversion, energy resource, Energy security, Fermentation, fuel, fuel cell, Fuel cell application, Fuel cell components, General approach, Harmful compounds, Heat, High efficiency, High-quality solutions, Hydrogen, Hydrogen production, Hydrogen sulfide, Hydrogen sulphide, Hydrogen yields, Low level, methane, molten carbonate fuel cell, Molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC), Operating condition, Organic Chemicals, organic pollutant, Organic residues, pH, priority journal, Recycling, sulfur, Sulphur species, Sulphur tolerance, Temperature, Tolerant components, waste, waste management
Abstract

The use of biomass and waste to produce alternative fuels, due to environmental and energy security reasons, is a high-quality solution especially when integrated with high efficiency fuel cell applications. In this article we look into the coupling of an anaerobic digestion process of organic residues to electrochemical conversion to electricity and heat through a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC). In particular the pathway of the exceedingly harmful compound hydrogen sulphide (H2S) in these phases is analysed. Hydrogen sulphide production in the biogas is strongly interrelated with methane and/or hydrogen yield, as well as with operating conditions like temperature and pH. When present in the produced biogas, this compound has multiple negative effects on the performance and durability of an MCFC. Therefore, there are important issues of integration to be solved.Three general approaches to solve the sulphur problem in the MCFC are possible. The first is to prevent the formation of hydrogen sulphide at the source: favouring conditions that inhibit its production during fermentation. Secondly, to identify the sulphur tolerance levels of the fuel cell components currently in use and develop sulphur-tolerant components that show long-term electrochemical performance and corrosion stability. The third approach is to remove the generated sulphur species to very low levels before the gas enters the fuel cell. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

Notes

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URLhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77951258355&doi=10.1016%2fj.wasman.2010.02.022&partnerID=40&md5=813a0aa570458c1945f99fd764550139
DOI10.1016/j.wasman.2010.02.022
Citation KeyCiccoli20101018