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Published: 1978

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The objectives of the FY 1978 program are to (a) improve the performance and endurance of the molten carbonate fuel cell and (b) develop cost-effective cell components. The required effort is subdivided into three tasks: Task 1 is cell and component development. Improved components and cost-effective fabrication processes will be developed. This will include developing stable anode structures and improved electrolyte structures that can be fabricated by cost-effective processes. Task 2 is directed to fuel cell electrolyte optimization. New melt compositions will be tested in laboratory- and bench-scale cells. Supporting information necessary for electrolyte selection and for understanding the processes occurring in these systems will be obtained by developing models to describe cell performance and by electrochemical measurements. Task 3 involves cell operation at high pressure. Molten carbonate fuel cells will be operated (during the 3rd and 4th Quarters) at high pressure to identify and provide solutions to cell decay mechanisms and to identify problems associated with operating these cells at high pressures. Progress is reported. (WHK).