Due to its higher efficiency, it requires less carbon to produce the same amount of energy.
Also, because pure carbon dioxide is emitted, carbon capture techniques are much cheaper than for conventional power stations.
Anode reactions: Direct electrochemical oxidation path: Indirect electrochemical oxidation path: CO + O2− → CO2 + 2e− Boudouard reaction (indirect chemical reaction path): C + CO2 → 2CO Cathode reaction: O2 + 4e− → 2O2− [7][8] William W. Jacques obtained US Patent 555,511 in this type of fuel cell in 1896.
Prototypes have been demonstrated by the research group, SARA, Inc.[9] William W. Jacques obtained a Canadian patent for the molten carbonate fuel cell in 1897[10] It has been developed further at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory.
[11] This design utilizes molten tin and tin oxide as an inter stage reaction between oxidation of the carbon dissolving in the anode and reduction of oxygen at the solid oxide cathode.