INTERNAL REFORMING HYDROCARBON FUEL CELLS.

Experimental and analytical studies had as an objective the identification of the significant processes occurring in the internal-reforming hydrocarbon anode, in order to define the rate-controlling variables and the ultimate performance limitations. Packed-bed reactor studies at 260C indicated that catalytic deactivation is common to both paraffin reforming and reactions of H2 and CO, and that it involves deposition of a carbonaceous material. Analytical and experimental work on the reforming of methane in a rectangular anode cell using a Pd-Ag membrane established the effect of flow rate on both current density and the electrode potential at open circuit at 260C. The significant performance limitations set by thermodynamics and mass-transfer processes are clarified, and the nature of the limitations due to catalytic reaction rates and gas flow distribution is discussed. Author