Ecospray's novel fuel cell-based carbon capture technology gets RINA nod

Italian emissions abatement tech firm Ecospray has developed a carbon capture system that uses molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC).

PHOTO: Ecospray

To generate electricity, the fuel cells use bio-liquefied natural gas (LNG) derived from hydrogen, methanol or ammonia. The fuel cells can simultaneosly capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from exhaust gases and generate energy. They can be fuelled with bio-LNG, fossil LNG, hydrogen, ammonia or methanol, Ecospray says.

The system has been validated by Italian classification society RINA, which says it could have a "strategic" role in the energy transition.

The University of Cambridge describes MCFCs as high-temperature fuel cells that use molten mixtures of salts, such as lithium, sodium and potassium carbonate as electrolytes. Their operating temperature is around 600-650°C.

The efficiency of MCFCs is higher than that of the more common proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMs). But Cambridge University notes that MCFCs have been unsuitable for mobile applications because they use a liquid and high-temperature electrolyte.

By Konica Bhatt

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