A fuel cell consists of a nonreactive bath containing an electrolyte solution, an anode or negative electrode and a cathode or positive electrode. When you feed hydrogen gas to the anode while passing a voltage current through the electrolyte, hydrogen atoms separate into protons and electrons. The protons migrate through the electrolyte and combine with oxygen atoms at the cathode to form heat and water. The electrons pass through an external circuit, producing an electricity flow.
Molten carbonate fuel cells are a special kind of fuel cell, using carbonate salts as the electrolyte and heating the electrolyte to at least 650 degrees Celsius to obtain at least 60 percent fuel efficiency -- significantly better than that of other fuel cells.
Instructions
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1
Pour carbonate electrolyte into the bath. Turn on the hydrogen gas source to supply hydrogen to the anode. Turn on the oxygen gas source at the cathode. Connect a voltage current source to the bath.
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2
Heat the electrolyte solution to 650 degrees Celsius. The carbonate salts will melt so they can conduct the carbonate ions.
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3
Run voltage current through the bath, stimulating carbonate ions to flow from the cathode to the anode. At the anode, they will combine with hydrogen to form water, heat, and electrons. The electrons will travel through an external source back to the cathode, generating electricity.