Partial Methane Oxidation in Fuel Cell-Type Reactors for Co-Generation of Energy and Chemicals: A Short Review

The conversion of methane into chemicals is of interest to achieve a decarbonized future. Fuel cells are electrochemical devices commonly used to obtain electrical energy but can be utilized either for chemicals' production or both energy and chemicals cogeneration. In this work, the partial oxidation of methane in fuel cells for electricity generation and valuable chemicals production at the same time is reviewed. For this purpose, we compile different types of methane-fed fuel cells, both low- and high-temperature fuel cells. Despite the fact that few studies have been conducted on this subject, promising results are driving the development of fuel cells that use methane as a fuel source for the cogeneration of power and valuable chemicals.