Experimental analysis of a 1 kW molten carbonate fuel cell fed by landfill gas

In this paper an on-site experimental analysis of a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) fed by different types of fuels, including: hydrogen, methane and landfill gas is presented. The examined MCFC (made by IPASS S.c.a.r.l. - Terni, Italy), is one of the system components of a power plant located at the landfill of Giugliano in Campania (Naples –Italy). Here, electricity by four cogenerative reciprocating engines and one gas turbine fed by landfill gas is produced since 2003. In addition a MCFC and a SOFC are installed for experimental purposes. An experimental analysis of the MCFC performance for different fuels was carried out. Initially, the cell was supplied by pure hydrogen. Subsequently, the cell was fed by reformed methane obtained by an external reformer. Such methane was obtained by a cleaning process of landfill gas. The energy performance of the cell was tested increasing and decreasing the electricity load (by an electronic device) for both the utilized fuels and for a suitable fuels mixture. A stress test was also carried out. All the achieved results are analyzed and compared. In particular, current and voltage data were investigated as well as the stack temperatures.