Reducing CO2 Emissions From a Coal Fired Power Plant by Using a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell

A Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC) is shown to reduce CO2 emissions from a Coal Fired Power Plant (CFPP). The MCFC is placed in the flue gas stream of the coal fired boiler. The main advantages of this solution are: higher total electric power generated by a hybrid system, reduced CO2 emissions and higher system efficiency. The model of the MCFC is given and described. The results obtained show that use of an MCFC could reduce CO2 emissions by 56%, which gives a relative CO2 emission rate of 288 kgCO2 per MWh.Copyright © 2008 by ASME