Abstract
The internal reforming concept has been successfully integrated in molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) systems. In this paper, a comparison between the direct (DIR-MCFC) and indirect internal reforming (IIR-MCFC) configurations has been made. This approach, realized through a sensitivity analysis of suitable models, allows the advantages and disadvantages of the two configurations to be evaluated in terms of mass transfer balances and efficiencies. The temperature, steam/carbon ratio, electrical power and useful heat fraction have been found to be the most important parameters for optimizing the efficiencies of the two systems. Moreover, a detailed analysis of the technical problems presented by the two systems gives meaningful conclusions about their reliability for the production of electricity. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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