Multi-objective optimization of molten carbonate fuel cell system for reducing CO₂ emission from exhaust gases

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to investigate the implementation of a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) as a CO₂ separator. By applying multi-objective optimization (MOO) using the genetic algorithm, the optimal values of operating load and the corresponding values of objective functions are obtained. Objective functions are minimization of the cost of electricity (COE) and minimization of CO₂ emission rate. CO₂ tax that is accounted as the pollution-related cost, transforming the environmental objective to the cost function. The results show that the MCFC stack which is fed by the syngas and gas turbine exhaust, not only reduces CO₂ emission rate, but also produces electricity and reduces environmental cost of the system.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) / multi-objective optimization (MOO) / Pareto curve / genetic algorithm / CO₂ separation

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Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg