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John T. S. Irvine - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Insight into graphite oxidation in a NiO-based hybrid direct Carbon Fuel cell
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2020Co-Authors: Cairong Jiang, Can Cui, John T. S. IrvineAbstract:Abstract A direct Carbon Fuel cell is an electricity generation device using solid Carbon as a Fuel directly with no reforming process. In this study, three-Carbon Fuels, graphitic Carbon (GC), Carbon black (CB), and biomass Carbon (BC) are tested as the Fuel to investigate the influence of Carbon Fuel properties on the cell performance in HDCFC with a traditional nickel oxide as the anode. Either an electrolyte-supported cell with a thin nickel oxide anode or an anode-supported cell with a thick nickel oxide anode is used to evaluate the electrochemical reactivity of Carbon samples. These three-Carbon Fuels are characterised on the crystal structure, particle size, composition, and surface property. It is found that GC shows excellent cell performance on thin nickel oxide anode. However, it displays relatively slow electrochemical reactivity on the thick anode due to its great extent of Carbon oxidation. BC shows good initial cell performance but fast degradation of the cell performance, as much more hydrogen is released at the beginning of the cell test. The anode reactions of HDCFCs are explored by the in-situ gas analysis in open circuits and under current load conditions. It is observed that GC produces the highest amount of CO among these three Fuels, suggesting that Carbon oxidation is the dominant electrochemical process in HDCFCs after a certain time when most of the hydrogen is released from the pyrolysis process.
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Carbon Content in a Direct Carbon Fuel Cell
ECS Transactions, 2019Co-Authors: Sneh L. Jain, Kevin D. Pointon, Barry Lakeman, John T. S. IrvineAbstract:In direct Carbon Fuel cells (DCFCs), elemental Carbon is directly oxidised electrochemically to generate electrical power. Carbon is readily available, easily transported and stored and, therefore, affordable to the global energy economy. Further operational advantages include the use of a fully renewable solid bio-Carbon Fuel source and the opportunity for scale-up. Herein we discuss a DCFC which utilises a molten mixed alkali metal Carbonate eutectic as a secondary electrolyte, contained within a solid oxide Fuel cell. The operation of the cells over an extended temperature range (525-700 oC) was examined using standard electrochemical methods. We will present the electrochemical performance of Super S, a high surface area Carbon black.
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Mechanism of enhanced performance on a hybrid direct Carbon Fuel cell using sawdust bioFuels
Journal of Power Sources, 2018Co-Authors: Cairong Jiang, Juan Liu, Haoliang Tao, Xie Meng, Paul A. Connor, Jianing Hui, Shaorong Wang, John T. S. IrvineAbstract:Abstract Biomass is expected to play a significant role in power generation in the near future. With the uprising of Carbon Fuel cells, hybrid direct Carbon Fuel cells (HDCFCs) show its intrinsic and incomparable advantages in the generation of clean energy with higher efficiency. In this study, two types of biomass treated by physical sieve and pyrolysis from raw sawdust are investigated on an anode-supported HDCFC. The structure and thermal analysis indicate that raw sawdust has well-formed cellulose I phase with very low ash. Electrochemical performance behaviors for sieved and pyrolyzed sawdust combined with various weight ratios of Carbonate are compared in N2 and CO2 purge gas. The results show that the power output of sieved sawdust with 789 mWcm−2 is superior to that of pyrolyzed sawdust in CO2 flowing, as well as in N2 flowing. The anode reaction mechanism for the discrepancy of two Fuels is explained and the emphasis is also placed on the modified oxygen-reduction cycle mechanism of catalytic effects of Li2CO3 and K2CO3 salts in promoting cell performance.
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Challenges in developing direct Carbon Fuel cells
Chemical Society reviews, 2017Co-Authors: Cairong Jiang, Sneh L. Jain, Gael Corre, John T. S. IrvineAbstract:A direct Carbon Fuel cell (DCFC) can produce electricity with both superior electrical efficiency and Fuel utilisation compared to all other types of Fuel cells. Although the first DCFC prototype was proposed in 1896, there was, until the 1970s, little sustained effort to investigate further, because of technology development issues. Interest in DCFCs has recently been reinvigorated as a possible method of replacing conventional coal-fired power plants to meet the demands for lower CO2 emissions, and indeed for efficient utilisation of waste derived chars. In this article, recent developments in direct Carbon conversion are reviewed, with the principal emphasis on the materials involved. The development of electrolytes, anodes and cathodes as well as Fuel sources is examined. The activity and chemical stability of the anode materials are a critical concern addressed in the development of new materials. Redox media of molten Carbonate or molten metal facilitating the transportation of ions offer promising possibilities for Carbon oxidation. The suitability of different Carbon Fuels in various DCFC systems, in terms of crystal structure, surface properties, impurities and particle size, is also discussed. We explore the influence of a variety of parameters on the electrochemical performance of DCFCs, with regard to their open circuit voltage, power output and lifetime. The challenges faced in developing DCFCs are summarised, and potential prospects of the system are outlined.
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Scaling up of the hybrid direct Carbon Fuel cell technology
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2013Co-Authors: Andrew C. Chien, Gale Corre, Rui Antunes, John T. S. IrvineAbstract:Abstract A hybrid direct Carbon Fuel cell (HDCFC), combining molten Carbonate Fuel cell (MCFC) and solid oxide Fuel cell (SOFC) technologies, is capable of converting solid Carbon directly into electrical energy without intermediate reforming. The performance level achieved on small-scale cells (area
Cairong Jiang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Insight into graphite oxidation in a NiO-based hybrid direct Carbon Fuel cell
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2020Co-Authors: Cairong Jiang, Can Cui, John T. S. IrvineAbstract:Abstract A direct Carbon Fuel cell is an electricity generation device using solid Carbon as a Fuel directly with no reforming process. In this study, three-Carbon Fuels, graphitic Carbon (GC), Carbon black (CB), and biomass Carbon (BC) are tested as the Fuel to investigate the influence of Carbon Fuel properties on the cell performance in HDCFC with a traditional nickel oxide as the anode. Either an electrolyte-supported cell with a thin nickel oxide anode or an anode-supported cell with a thick nickel oxide anode is used to evaluate the electrochemical reactivity of Carbon samples. These three-Carbon Fuels are characterised on the crystal structure, particle size, composition, and surface property. It is found that GC shows excellent cell performance on thin nickel oxide anode. However, it displays relatively slow electrochemical reactivity on the thick anode due to its great extent of Carbon oxidation. BC shows good initial cell performance but fast degradation of the cell performance, as much more hydrogen is released at the beginning of the cell test. The anode reactions of HDCFCs are explored by the in-situ gas analysis in open circuits and under current load conditions. It is observed that GC produces the highest amount of CO among these three Fuels, suggesting that Carbon oxidation is the dominant electrochemical process in HDCFCs after a certain time when most of the hydrogen is released from the pyrolysis process.
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Mechanism of enhanced performance on a hybrid direct Carbon Fuel cell using sawdust bioFuels
Journal of Power Sources, 2018Co-Authors: Cairong Jiang, Juan Liu, Haoliang Tao, Xie Meng, Paul A. Connor, Jianing Hui, Shaorong Wang, John T. S. IrvineAbstract:Abstract Biomass is expected to play a significant role in power generation in the near future. With the uprising of Carbon Fuel cells, hybrid direct Carbon Fuel cells (HDCFCs) show its intrinsic and incomparable advantages in the generation of clean energy with higher efficiency. In this study, two types of biomass treated by physical sieve and pyrolysis from raw sawdust are investigated on an anode-supported HDCFC. The structure and thermal analysis indicate that raw sawdust has well-formed cellulose I phase with very low ash. Electrochemical performance behaviors for sieved and pyrolyzed sawdust combined with various weight ratios of Carbonate are compared in N2 and CO2 purge gas. The results show that the power output of sieved sawdust with 789 mWcm−2 is superior to that of pyrolyzed sawdust in CO2 flowing, as well as in N2 flowing. The anode reaction mechanism for the discrepancy of two Fuels is explained and the emphasis is also placed on the modified oxygen-reduction cycle mechanism of catalytic effects of Li2CO3 and K2CO3 salts in promoting cell performance.
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Challenges in developing direct Carbon Fuel cells
Chemical Society reviews, 2017Co-Authors: Cairong Jiang, Sneh L. Jain, Gael Corre, John T. S. IrvineAbstract:A direct Carbon Fuel cell (DCFC) can produce electricity with both superior electrical efficiency and Fuel utilisation compared to all other types of Fuel cells. Although the first DCFC prototype was proposed in 1896, there was, until the 1970s, little sustained effort to investigate further, because of technology development issues. Interest in DCFCs has recently been reinvigorated as a possible method of replacing conventional coal-fired power plants to meet the demands for lower CO2 emissions, and indeed for efficient utilisation of waste derived chars. In this article, recent developments in direct Carbon conversion are reviewed, with the principal emphasis on the materials involved. The development of electrolytes, anodes and cathodes as well as Fuel sources is examined. The activity and chemical stability of the anode materials are a critical concern addressed in the development of new materials. Redox media of molten Carbonate or molten metal facilitating the transportation of ions offer promising possibilities for Carbon oxidation. The suitability of different Carbon Fuels in various DCFC systems, in terms of crystal structure, surface properties, impurities and particle size, is also discussed. We explore the influence of a variety of parameters on the electrochemical performance of DCFCs, with regard to their open circuit voltage, power output and lifetime. The challenges faced in developing DCFCs are summarised, and potential prospects of the system are outlined.
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comparative study of durability of hybrid direct Carbon Fuel cells with anthracite coal and bituminous coal
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2016Co-Authors: Cairong Jiang, A Arenillas, Damiano A Onaccorso, Joh T S IrvineAbstract:Abstract Direct Carbon Fuel cells offer the opportunity of generating energy from coal at high efficiency as an alternative to the procedure of conventional power plants. In this study, raw anthracite coal and raw bituminous coal were investigated in a hybrid direct Carbon Fuel cell (HDCFC), which was a combination of a solid oxide Fuel cell and a molten Carbonate Fuel cell. Mechanical mixing was confirmed to be an efficient method of mixing coal with Carbonate. The coal samples had different properties, for example, Carbon content, hydrogen content, volatile matter and impurities. The results showed that the maximum power density obtained by the cell with anthracite coal was similar to that obtained by the cell with bituminous coal. It was found that the total power output from coal in HDCFCs mostly depended on the Carbon content, while volatile matter, hydrogen content, moisture, etc. had an effect on the short-term durability. HDCFCs were kept operating for more than 120 h with 1.6 g coal. This study demonstrates that energy can be generated efficiently by employing anthracite and bituminous coal in hybrid direct Carbon Fuel cells.
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Demonstration of high power, direct conversion of waste-derived Carbon in a hybrid direct Carbon Fuel cell
Energy & Environmental Science, 2012Co-Authors: Cairong Jiang, A. Damiano Bonaccorso, John T. S. IrvineAbstract:Direct Carbon Fuel cells offer highly efficient means of converting Carbon from waste, biomass or coal to electricity producing an exhaust stream that is well-suited to CO2 sequestration and, hence could underpin a new, clean Carbon economy. If this technology is to contribute significantly to improving our impending global energy crisis, three aspects must first be addressed: competitive performance with extant Fuel cell technologies, development of practical systems to handle available Carbon resources and demonstration of sufficient durability, i.e. 40000 hours minimum for system. In the present study, we demonstrate excellent performance from a hybrid direct Carbon Fuel cell based upon an yttrium-stabilised zirconia electrolyte to use solid Carbons as Fuels directly. Good stability of the zirconia is observed during and after Fuel cell testing and in corrosion tests under reducing conditions; however, significant intergrain erosion is observed under oxidising conditions. The Carbon Fuel chosen is a waste product, Medium Density Fibreboard, which is widely available and difficult to recycle. Cells exhibit excellent electrochemical performance at 750 °C, with a maximum power density of 390 mW cm−2 using a lanthanum doped strontium manganite (LSM) cathode and 878 mW cm−2 using a lanthanum doped strontium cobalt (LSC) cathode under flowing air. This is comparable with current commercial Solid Oxide Fuel Cell and significantly in excess of commercial Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC) performance. This hybrid direct Carbon Fuel cell therefore offers the clean utilisation of coal, waste and renewable Carbon sources and hence merits development as a realistic alternative technology.
Sukhvinder P.s. Badwal - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Direct Carbon Fuel Cells
Encyclopedia of Sustainable Technologies, 2017Co-Authors: Sukhvinder P.s. Badwal, S. Giddey, A. KulkarniAbstract:Abstract Coal is expected to stay as a major source for power production for many more decades despite the emergence of many renewable energy technologies in the overall energy mix. A number of advanced coal-based technologies are under development to reduce the impact of coal-fired power plants on the environment. Among these, direct Carbon Fuel cells, although at an early stage of research and development, offer a clear path to clean-coal power generation with electric efficiency approaching 70% and combined heat and electricity efficiency close to 90%. They are unique in that they convert solid Fuels such as Carbon to electricity through its electrochemical oxidation unlike other types of Fuel cells that operate on gaseous or liquid Fuels. They have small environmental footprint and produce concentrated stream of CO 2 , significantly reducing its capture costs. In this article, a broad overview of the technology, its current status, and potential applications are discussed.
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catalytic gasification of Carbon in a direct Carbon Fuel cell
Fuel, 2016Co-Authors: Adam C Rady, S. Giddey, Sukhvinder P.s. Badwal, A. Kulkarni, Sankar BhattacharyaAbstract:The present study investigates the catalytic properties of metallic species commonly present in brown coal (Ca, Fe, and Mg), towards Boudouard (CO2) gasification, by individually doping pure Carbon black with these species, and examining their electrochemical performance in a direct Carbon Fuel cell (DCFC). Thermogravimetric analysis was used to study the effect of added catalysts on Carbon oxidation at 850 °C and compared to those of chars produced from a Victorian brown coal. The relative catalytic activities of dopants were found to increase from Mg < Fe < Ca, in the presence of CO2. The Carbon black Fuels doped with the catalytic species, when tested in a direct Carbon Fuel cell, were also found to influence the Fuel cell performance under both N2 and N2/CO2 anode purge gases in line with relative catalytic activities of dopants. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements, under open circuit conditions, were used to assess the nature of performance variations in Fuel cell environments. Availability of gaseous CO via in-situ Boudouard gasification of the Fuel is believed to be the primary differentiating factor for various Carbon Fuels in cell operation. Finally, it was established that the catalytic dopants added to the Carbon Fuel had an effect on the equilibrium oxygen partial pressure in the C/CO/CO2 system and hence the open circuit voltage.
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Catalytic gasification of Carbon in a direct Carbon Fuel cell
Fuel, 2016Co-Authors: Adam C Rady, S. Giddey, Sukhvinder P.s. Badwal, A. Kulkarni, Sankar BhattacharyaAbstract:The present study investigates the catalytic properties of metallic species commonly present in brown coal (Ca, Fe, and Mg), towards Boudouard (CO2) gasification, by individually doping pure Carbon black with these species, and examining their electrochemical performance in a direct Carbon Fuel cell (DCFC). Thermogravimetric analysis was used to study the effect of added catalysts on Carbon oxidation at 850 °C and compared to those of chars produced from a Victorian brown coal. The relative catalytic activities of dopants were found to increase from Mg
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Biomass to power conversion in a direct Carbon Fuel cell
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2014Co-Authors: Christopher Munnings, Ani Kulkarni, S. Giddey, Sukhvinder P.s. BadwalAbstract:Abstract Direct Carbon Fuel cells (DCFC) offer clear advantages over conventional power generation systems including higher conversion efficiency, low emissions and production of a near pure CO2 exit stream which can be easily captured for storage. When operated on biomass-derived Fuels and combined with Carbon capture and storage they have the potential to be a Carbon negative technology. Currently most studies relating to DCFC's focus on the use of synthetic high purity Fuels. Although of significant academic interest, the high energy requirements for the production of such Fuels and high cost would negate the advantages offered by DCFCs over conventional combustion technologies that can produce power from lower-grade Fuels. A number of industrial processes (such as pyrolysis or gasification) can produce high Carbon containing and low cost chars from biomass sources. This paper describes the operation of a novel solid state direct Carbon Fuel cell operated on two such commercially available bio-mass derived chars, an agricultural waste derived bio-char used for soil enrichment and coconut char used for the processing of ceramics. Chemical analysis (ICP, XRF), X-ray diffraction and thermo-gravimetric analysis have been used to characterise the Fuels. Testing on small button cells showed that it is possible to operate Fuel cells directly on low grade unprocessed chars. Although initial power densities were low, significant improvements to cell materials and designs can lead to practical devices. Overall the stability of the Fuel cell materials in contact with bio-chars appeared to be good with no phase decomposition of any material observed.
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Direct Carbon Fuel cell operation on brown coal
Applied Energy, 2014Co-Authors: Adam C Rady, S. Giddey, Sukhvinder P.s. Badwal, A. Kulkarni, Sankar Bhattacharya, Bradley P. LadewigAbstract:The performance of a Victorian brown coal with minimal pre-treatment was assessed in a solid oxide electrolyte based direct Carbon Fuel cell (DCFC) at 700 and 800°C. In order to evaluate the effect of inherent inorganic species in the coal on the electrochemical performance of DCFCs (voltage – power density – current density), characteristics of button cells Fuelled with raw and acid washed (demineralised) coal were compared along with commercially available XC72 Carbon black. Peak power densities of 65 and 67mWcm−2 were observed for demineralised coal char and Carbon black respectively at 800°C, whereas the raw coal char achieved a superior power density of 89mWcm−2. The availability of reactive species at the anode, namely CO, is believed to be the primary differentiator of cell performance, and is related to variations in the physical and chemical makeup of Carbon Fuels. The reactivity of these Fuels in the presence of CO2 to generate CO (and power) via Boudouard gasification was assessed in the 700–800°C temperature range via thermogravimetric analysis.
Turgut M. Gür - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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progress in Carbon Fuel cells for clean coal technology pipeline
International Journal of Energy Research, 2016Co-Authors: Turgut M. GürAbstract:SUMMARY As coal use for electricity production is expected to increase substantially in the next several decades, our Carbon-constraint world demands sustainability, which requires urgent advances in coal power generation to achieve significantly reduced footprints on the environment, water resources, and climate change. Carbon Fuel cells (CFC) that can electrochemically convert solid Fuels directly into electricity hold the potential to leap-frog the technological evolution process towards achieving clean coal power generation by offering dramatically higher conversion efficiencies and proportionately lower Carbon intensity, emissions, and water demand, while producing a highly concentrated CO2 flue stream that is nearly capture-ready. This article provides the prospects and overview of CFCs in the context of other advanced coal power generation technologies, and discusses both the status of research progress in this exciting and emerging technology, and also some of the challenges yet to overcome. Research up to date has demonstrated remarkable power densities up to nearly 900 mW/cm2 for pyrolyzed Carbon and 450 mW/cm2 for untreated coal char. Also, conversion efficiencies around 50% were experimentally demonstrated for coal in a solid oxide-based CFC system, while calculations estimated an efficiency of 80% for converting pyrolytic Carbon Fuel in a molten Carbonate-based CFC system. With such practically significant performance, figures coupled with potentially high conversion efficiencies and an impressive list of environmental merits, CFCs gain a rightful place in the clean coal power technology pipeline. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Heat Transfer Considerations in a Tubular Carbon Fuel Cell
2013Co-Authors: David U. Johnson, Brentan R. Alexander, Reginald E. Mitchell, Kevin D. Steinberger, Gregory J. Armstrong, Turgut M. GürAbstract:Introduction As the developing world is modernizing along with growing concerns about greenhouse gas emissions, there is an increased need for mitigating emissions during power generation. It is clear that in the foreseeable future renewable energy technologies will be unable to eliminate fossil Fuel dependence, and hence efforts to reduce the environmental impact of Carbon-based Fuels are required. Carbon Fuel Cells (CFCs) have the double benefit of efficient utilization of a Carbonaceous Fuel such as coal or biomass, and the production of a concentrated stream of CO2 that can be easily stored or sold as a marketable product. Previous work in our lab has demonstrated solid oxide-based CFC for efficient electricity production from various types of Carbons [1-3]. The CFC utilizes an yttriastabilized zirconia electrolyte (YSZ) for oxide ion transport with solid Carbon Fuel at the anode and air at the cathode. Carbon dioxide enters the anode compartment and reacts with the Carbon to produce CO via the Boudouard reaction.
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modeling of experimental results for Carbon utilization in a Carbon Fuel cell
Journal of Power Sources, 2013Co-Authors: Brentan R. Alexander, Reginald E. Mitchell, Turgut M. GürAbstract:Abstract The Carbon Fuel cell, a novel electrochemical conversion scheme for the production of efficient electric power from solid Carbonaceous Fuels, is investigated. A model of the Carbon Fuel cell is developed, validated, and exercised to explore the interactions between cell geometry, power output, and overall efficiency. The model is built on the Boudouard reaction mechanism and includes experimentally measured kinetic parameters of the electrode and Carbon bed reactions. Results indicate that the modeled cell geometry can operate in an optimal regime offering efficiencies near 60% and cell power densities of 100 mW cm −2 . The model further reveals a fundamental tradeoff between efficiency and power output inherent in a Carbon Fuel cell, suggesting that high cell efficiencies can be obtained at half of peak power output.
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Oxy-combustion of solid Fuels in a Carbon Fuel cell
Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 2013Co-Authors: Brentan R. Alexander, Reginald E. Mitchell, Turgut M. GürAbstract:Abstract The full combustion of solid Carbonaceous Fuels through electrochemical pathways in a Carbon Fuel cell is investigated. The Carbon Fuel cell is a novel scheme that utilizes a solid electrolyte layer to both separate the oxidizing stream from the Fuel stream and directly produce electricity from the oxidation of Carbon, effectively resulting in oxy-combustion of the solid Fuel. A model of the Carbon Fuel cell is developed, validated, and used to calculate the response of a tubular Fuel cell with idealized electrode exchange current density parameters. Results indicate that the modeled cell geometry can operate in an optimal regime offering efficiencies near 65% and cell power densities over 1 W/cm 2 on a Fuel bed height of 50 mm.
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Modeling of Heat Transfer in a Fluidized Bed Carbon Fuel Cell
2012Co-Authors: Gregory J. Armstrong, Brentan R. Alexander, Reginald E. Mitchell, Turgut M. GürAbstract:Introduction As energy demand continues to rise along with concerns about Carbon emissions, there is an increased need for pollutant-free power generation. While renewable resources show promise for the future, many of these technologies, such as solar and wind, are intermittent and are not economically viable for large-scale deployment. Consequently, fossil Fuels, and coal in particular, are often less expensive and more readily available for use in electricity generation. As a result, the ability to cleanly produce power from inexpensive, abundant coal resources possesses great importance in addressing concerns regarding greenhouse gases and climate change. Previous work in our lab has demonstrated and modeled a solid oxide Carbon Fuel Cell (CFC) for efficient electricity production from various types of Carbons [1-3]. The CFC utilizes an yttria-stabilized zirconia electrolyte (YSZ) for oxide ion transport, while solid Carbon Fuel is placed at the anode and air at the cathode. Carbon dioxide enters the anode compartment, reacting with the Carbon to produce CO via the Boudouard reaction. As shown in Figure 1, the cell oxidizes CO to generate electricity, producing an outlet stream of CO2, part of which can be recycled to the anode and the reminder sent for sequestration.
Meyer Steinberg - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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application of the natural gas direct Carbon Fuel cell ngdcfc to a gas filling station for hydrogen and electricity supply
Energy Procedia, 2009Co-Authors: Meyer SteinbergAbstract:Abstract The Natural Gas Direct Carbon Fuel Cell (NGDCFC) combines methane decomposition with the direct Carbon Fuel cell to produce hydrogen and electricity. The NGDCFC is ideally suited for use at automotive Fuel filling stations. The following is a preliminary cost calculation for application of the NGDCFC at a typical Fuel filling station.
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natural gas direct Carbon Fuel cell
2008Co-Authors: Meyer SteinbergAbstract:A natural gas Fueled, direct Carbon Fuel cell produces electricity and hydrogen. It adds to an existing direct Carbon Fuel cell a Carbon dioxide injection port to the cathode compartment; a natural gas feed port to the anode compartment, a hydrogen extraction port from the anode compartment, and a Carbon dioxide extraction port from the anode compartment. To improve hydrogen generation efficiency, the anode compartment may have a louvered baffle dividing the anode compartment into an ante-chamber and a main chamber. The louvered baffle preferably has an upper section with slats angled from bottom to top and a lower section with slats angled from top to bottom. A heat exchanger is preferably included to pre-heat natural gas feed from hot hydrogen effluent. A second heat exchanger is preferably included to pre-heat oxygen-containing gas with hot nitrogen and Carbon dioxide effluents.