The paper presents a set of two-dimensional molten carbonate fuel cell mathematical models, considering the electrical, mass and heat transfer characteristics of a molten carbonate fuel cell. A dynamic simulation model was built under the VC++ environment. The steady state and dynamic simulation results for a cross-flow molten carbonate fuel cell were obtained using the simulation model. The results are appropriate for the design and operation of molten carbonate fuel cells. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.