Verification of analytical fuel cell models by performance testing at a 110 cm(2) molten carbonate fuel cell

This paper presents a performance test of a 110 cm(2) molten carbonate fuel cell bench cell as a function of output current and gas utilization. These results are compared with the predictions of cell performance of two analy tical models, the simple and extended model, for which a revised derivation is given. A comparison of measurements and models results in a value for t he quasi-ohmic resistance, r, of 1.02 and 1.07 Omega cm(2). respectively, f or the simple model and the extended model. Using this as the only fitted p arameter and other theoretical parameters, the simple and the extended mode l describe the cell performance with a relative error of at most 5 and 1%, respectively, for fuel utilization above 10%. Both models have therefore sh own their reliability. (C) 2001 The Electrochemical Society.