A Cylindrical Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell Supplied with Landfill Biogas Franco Cotana 1,a , Mirko Filipponi 2,b and Beatrice Castellani 3,c 1 University of Perugia, CRB, via G.Duranti snc, 06125 Perugia, Italy 2 University of Perugia, CIRIAF, via G.Duranti snc, 06125 Perugia, Italy 3 IPASS S.c.a r.l., via G.Guerra 23 int. 52, 06127 Perugia, Italy a cotana@crbnet.it, b filipponi.unipg@ciriaf.it, c castellani@ipassnet.it Keywords: MCFC; fuel cell; landfill; biogas; small size. Abstract. A small size cylindrical Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell stack was installed at Giugliano landfill in Italy. The stack was constituted by 16-cells with a 300 W nominal power. Preliminary tests were performed in order to verify the possibility to supply the stack by the landfill biogas, characterized by low methane content (32%). Results showed that the proposed plant is able to correctly operate also when supplied with low methane content biogas. Introduction This paper deals with the results of preliminary experimental tests on a small size Cylindrical Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (CMCFC) stack supplied with landfill biogas. The tested CMCFC is the result of multi-annual activities carried out at the Fuel Cell Laboratory of University of Perugia headquartered in Terni (Italy). The CMCFC is patented by IPASS [1], a partnership between CIRIAF (inter-university research center on physical agent pollution) and FN S.p.A. (an industrial partner). It may be used for cogeneration and also for integrating other renewable energy systems when they are not available [2]. The CMCFC is traditionally supplied with hydrogen, also produced by renewable sources or stored by hydrates [3-5]. However, an external or internal reformer stage may be also introduced in order to supply the CMCFC with methane or biogas. The cylindrical geometry was proposed in order to solve the following traditional problems of the square or rectangular MCFCs [6]: - Traditional MCFCs are characterized by high thermal outward dispersions. A cylindrical geometry may allow to minimize thermal dispersions both for the geometry’s intrinsic properties and the easiness to insulate a device. - Gases tight problems between the cell plates are minimized due to the lack of cell elements corners; - Compression strain disuniformity on the plate contact surface is reduced due to symmetry of the proposed cell elements. A CMCFC pilot plant was installed at the Giugliano landfill in Italy. The landfill biogas, which is characterized by low methane content, was used to test the CMCFC. The preliminary tests reported in this paper were performed in order to verify the correct operation of the fuel cell stack when biogas is supplied to the CMCFC plant. The Cylindrical MCFC The CMCFC main peculiarity is the geometry of the cell elements and the arrangements for gases distribution. High benefits may be obtained by the CMCFC configuration. The cylindrical configuration produces lower heat losses because of high volume regarding surface. The theoretical investigation was the object of previous papers [7]. The theoretical investigation was followed by a study on new materials, treatments and procedures suitable for improving the performances of the Cylindrical Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell [8-10]. Experimental tests were also performed with good Applied Mechanics and Materials Vol. 392 (2013) pp 512-516 © (2013) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.392.512 All rights reserved. No part of contents of this paper may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of TTP, www.ttp.net. (ID: 95.242.100.180-19/08/13,10:11:47)