Introducing and analysis of a hybrid molten carbonate fuel cell-supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle system

A hybrid system is proposed, which integrates a molten carbonate fuel cell, and a supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle. This case deals with waste heat recovery from catalytic burner exhaust gas using a Brayton cycle as a bottoming cycle for additional power production due its very high temperature, which yields high electrical and overall efficiencies. After designing and simulating the process energy and exergy analyses are performed. The greatest exergy destruction is observed in the reformer while the lowest exergy efficiency is attributable to the fuel cell. The main advantage of this kind of hybrid system, in addition to efficiency improvement and cost reduction, is its ability to reduce harmful emissions and negative impacts on the environment.