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Carbon Gasification from a Molten Carbonate Eutectic
Author(s) -
Glenn Michael J.,
Allen Jessica A.,
Donne Scott W.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
energy technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.91
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 2194-4296
pISSN - 2194-4288
DOI - 10.1002/ente.201900602
Subject(s) - carbonate , eutectic system , molten carbonate fuel cell , carbon fibers , materials science , inorganic chemistry , alkali metal , chemical engineering , electrolyte , context (archaeology) , potassium carbonate , carbon capture and storage (timeline) , chemistry , metallurgy , organic chemistry , geology , electrode , paleontology , alloy , composite number , engineering , composite material , oceanography , climate change
This investigation explores the impact of using a ternary alkali metal carbonate eutectic, i.e., Li 2 CO 3 , Na 2 CO 3 , and K 2 CO 3 (43.5: 31.5: 25 mol%, respectively), as a catalyst for carbon gasification under CO 2 and non‐CO 2 atmospheres. Gasification under CO 2 , i.e., the reverse Boudouard reaction, is a well‐understood process with considerable commercial interest. However, in the context of direct carbon fuel cell (DCFC) operations, it is a parasitic reaction because it consumes fuel without producing power. In this study, the effect on carbon gasification of a common DCFC electrolyte is examined. Thermogravimetric analysis shows gasification occurring in the absence of a CO 2 atmosphere, which has significant implications for DCFCs using alkali metal carbonates as the secondary electrolyte. A combined reaction mechanism is proposed which entails gasification from carbonate and carbonate decomposition.