HYDROGEN-PRODUCTION BY STEAM REFORMING OF METHANOL FOR POLYMER ELECTROLYTE FUEL-CELLS

Catalytic steam reforming of methanol has been studied as a means of generating hydrogen for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. A review of previous work has revealed a lack of understanding of the process for operation at elevated pressures. Also, earlier models of the process do not consider the rate of production of carbon monoxide. A semi-empirical model of the kinetics of the catalytic steam reforming of methanol over CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst has been developed. This model is able to predict the performance of the reformer with respect to the various parameters important in developing an integrated reformer-polymer fuel cell system. A set of sample calculations of reformer temperature and CO production are given. The impact of the performance of the reformer catalyst on the design of the overall fuel cell power system is discussed. The selectivity of the catalyst to minimize CO content in the fuel gas is shown to be more critical than was previously believed.