FUEL CELLS COMPOSED OF BI-FUNCTIONAL CATALYST ANODES AND PROTON CONDUCTING MEMBRANES FOR DIRECT UTILIZATION OF NATURAL GAS AND LIGHT HYDROCARBONS

摘要

A method has been invented for the production of natural gas fuel cells which can operateby direct utilization of natural gas (methane). These new natural gas fuel cells consist of anodeswith bi-functional catalysts, proton conducting membranes and conventional cathodes for oxygenreduction. The catalysts used for the anodes are the catalysts which are used for the oxidativecoupling of methane and the catalysts which are used for the hydrogen electrode. The first classof catalysts promote the production of methyl and hydrogen radicals from methane, while thesecond class of catalysts promote the production of proton from hydrogen radicals.Electric power generation efficiency of these natural gas fuel cells are lower than that ofthe solid electrolyte natural gas fuel cells, however, they provide co-generation options, i.e.,simultaneous generation of electric power, saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons and/or heat.These new natural gas fuel cells can be designed to operate at low (100 to 190°C) or at high (300to 650°C) temperatures. These new natural gas fuel cells operating at low temperatures can beused for power generation at remote areas, while the new natural gas fuel cells operating at hightemperatures can be used for co-generation.The present invention of natural gas fuel cells can be modified for the direct utilization ofsaturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon as fuel for the production of electric power and/orhydrocarbons. Therefore, the present invention of natural gas fuel cells can also be used as achemical plant converting methane to saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons.