EUBCE 2024 - Makoto KAWASE - Basic Performance of Direct Biomass Fuel Cell using Simulated Biomass

Basic Performance of Direct Biomass Fuel Cell using Simulated Biomass

Short Introductive summary

Toward achieving carbon neutrality, a compact, low-cost, and highly efficient power generation system that can effectively utilize unused biomass is desirable. We propose direct biomass fuel cells (DBFCs) as a technology that can realize such a system. A DBFC can be miniaturized because it does not require a boiler or gasifier. In addition, since the chemical energy of the solid carbon and volatile materials that constitute biomass can be directly converted into electrical energy, highly efficient power generation can be expected. In this report, the possibility of a tubular DBFC is examined through power generation tests using simulated biomass. Activated carbon from coconut shells was used as fuel, and gas containing several percent of H2 and H2O was supplied into the vessel to simulate the volatile components of woody biomass. In the power generation tests, the DBFC was able to generate electricity at a power density of over 150 mW/cm2, which is comparable to that of commercialized molten carbonate fuel cells. To investigate the effect of water present in biomass, the effect of H2O concentration in the suppled gas on the cell voltage was examined. As the H2O concentration was in

M. Kawase, CRIEPI, Kanagawa-Ken, JAPAN
A. Ido, CRIEPI, Kanagawa-Ken, JAPAN