Chinese researchers have created a novel coal-powered fuel cell that they claim can generate electricity without releasing carbon dioxide, potentially revolutionising thermal power plant design. The device, described as a zero-carbon-emission direct coal fuel cell (ZC-DCFC), was developed by a team at Shenzhen University.
Unlike conventional coal-fired plants that burn coal to produce steam for turbines, the ZC-DCFC pulverises and dries coal before feeding it into the anode chamber. Oxygen is supplied to the cathode, causing the coal to undergo electrochemical oxidation across an oxide membrane. The resulting carbon dioxide is captured within the system and converted into valuable chemicals such as syngas.
The fuel cell achieves an energy conversion efficiency of up to 40 percent, according to the study published in the journal Energy Reviews. The researchers note that by avoiding the efficiency losses of combustion and thermal engines, the design enables substantially higher theoretical efficiency.
Previous direct carbon fuel cells suffered from short operational lifetimes and low power density. The new design overcomes these issues by being scalable in stacks and offering higher carbon-to-energy conversion efficiency. The scientists hope future studies will identify suitable applications, including the conversion of coal directly from deep geological environments as shallow reserves become depleted.
