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Department for Energy Convension

Fuel Cell Section

TEL:+81-727-51-9612
FAX:+81-727-51-9626
E-mail:fuelcell@onri.go.jp
Last update: December 10, 1997

Introduction of our research

In the fuel cell section, research is under way on the molten carbonate fuel cell, which allows direct power generation from natural gas or coal gasified gas at high efficiency. This type of fuel cell is free of such problems as pollutant gas, noise, etc., so it can be considered as an environment friendly power generation technology. As it use molten alkaline carbonate at a temperature of around 650 as the electrolyte, assurance of high heat- and corrosion-resistance of the cell component materials is essential for achieving stable operations over long periods of time. To solve this problem, we are aiming to develop viable new materials and establish evaluation technology for various materials, while furthering our basic study on molten salts.

Research activities
  1. New material research
    We are researching new cathode materials that are stable in molten carbonate and have high conductivity. We are investigating LiCoO2, LiFeO2 and other oxides.
  2. MCFC cell testing and their evaluation
    We operate MCFC single cells with new materials@to evaluate their capability of improvement of performance and life. We succeeded to operate a MCFC single cell for 40,000 hours in 1995. The operation for 40,000 hours is required for commercial realization of MCFC technology. It is also required for commercial MCFC to operate cell under pressurized condition in order to gain output, so we construct the test facilities equipped with pressure vessels and investigate test method for pressurized MCFC operation.
  3. Research for molten salt
    Stable and favorable molten carbonate electrolytes for MCFC are being researched. Physical properties of conductivity, surface tension and density are measured accurately and these data have been accumulated. Through the method and technique for the research of high temperature molten salt, we promote the research for room temperature molten salts, which is expected new electrolyte for high performance secondary battery.
Research Themes
  1. Research and development for energy conversion technology of molten carbonate fuel cell [1981`1999]
  2. Analysis and evaluation for room temperature molten salt secondary battery [1997`2001]

Staffs of Section


nameresearch fieldsE-mail address
Mr. Yoshinori Miyazaki
  • Molten salt chemistry
  • Electrochemistry
 -
Mr. Masahiro Yanagida
  • High temperature corrosion of metals
  • Molten salt technology
-
Mr. Kazumi Tanimoto
  • High temperature corrosion of metals: Corrosion behavior of stainless steels with molten carbonates
  • Molten salt chemistry: Solubility of NiO cathode in molten carbonate
  • Electrochemical engineering:@Fabrication of MCFC component and relationship among MCFC operation condition, life and performance
 -
Mr. Toshikatsu Kojima
  • Molten salt chemistry: Acid-base properties and oxide stability in molten carbonates
  • Physical properties of molten carbonate: Conductivity, surface tension and density of molten carbonates
kojimat@onri.go.jp
Miz. Yukiko Tamiya
  • Stability of Fe-base compound in molten carbonate
  • Mechanism of oxygen reduction in molten carbonate
 -
Dr. Hajime Matsumoto
  • Molten salt chemistry: Preparation and investigation of room temperature molten salt as novel liquid applied to electrochemical devices and photochemical devices.
  • Photo electrochemistry: Preparation of semiconductor nanocrystalls and investigation of its photochemical and photophysical properties
 hajime@onri.go.jp

Recent publication of research


Others


Please send questions / comments to fuelcell@onri.go.jp .

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by M.Taniguchi, Osaka Natl. Res. Inst.