In situ hydrogen utilization in an internal reforming methanol fuel cell

摘要

In this work, we report on the catalytic properties of a novel ultrathin methanol reformer incorporated into the anode compartment of a High Temperature PEM Fuel Cell (HT-PEMFC). A highly active Cu-based methanol reforming catalyst (HiFuel R120, Johnson Matthey) was deposited on the gas diffusion layer of a carbon paper and the influence of anode flow distribution through the catalytic bed was studied in the temperature range of 160-220 ℃. Inhibition by produced H_2 is higher in the case of through plane flow, especially in more concentrated methanol feeds. Higher methanol conversions were achieved with the in-plane flow distribution along the catalytic bed (＞98% at 210 ℃ and without any deactivation for at least 100 h test), with a 50 cm~2 reformer (total thickness = 600 μm). The corresponding Internal Reforming Methanol Fuel Cell (IRMFC) operated efficiently for more than 72 h at 210 ℃ with a cell voltage of 642 mV at 0.2 A cm~(-2), when 30% CH_3OH/45% H_2O/ He (anode feed) and pure O_2 (cathode feed) were supplied.