An innovative m-CHP system based on membrane reformer and PEM fuel cells is developed within the FluidCELL project. Hydrogen production and purification is carried out in one single reactor. Hydrogen produced by bio-ethanol auto-thermal reforming permeates across the Pd-based membranes and is obtained as a pure stream to feed the LT-PEM fuel cells stack. The system, rated at 5 kW_(el), is designed to obtain high net electric efficiency (>40%) with a limited Pd-membranes area (<0.4 m~2). In case of low selectivity or leakage of membranes, polluted hydrogen may enter the fuel cells stack. In order to prevent CO-poisoning different solutions are discussed here: (i) methanation reactor, (ii) preferential oxidation reactor (Prox) and (iii) external air bleeding. To define the best mitigation strategy many aspects must be taken into account as electric efficiency, vented gases by purge, additional components and control systems, fuel cells degradation over the time. In this particular, the main focus is on PEM behavior.
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