Dynamic characteristics of a molten carbonate fuel cell stack

Dynamic characteristics have been investigated for a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) prototype stack, which is, an electrochemical energy conversion device for electric power generation. The authors identify the MCFC stack and construct a control strategy for MCFC plants in operation. Both an experimental approach and a theoretical approach are described. Basic data are first obtained with respect to indicial responses of an MCFC stack including a cathode gas recycle loop for cooling use. These data are assumed to be sets of dead time and first-order lag, and a matrix transfer function is derived. A physically based model is then developed to describe the dynamics of the MCFC stack. This model consists of a semiempirical MCFC performance model and a thermodynamical gas flow model. The potential of this model for examining control problems for MCFC plant operations is discussed