In situ hydrogen utilization in an internal reforming methanol fuel cell

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 degrees C. 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 degrees C and without any deactivation for at least 100 h test), with a 50 cm(2) reformer (total thickness = 600 mu m). The corresponding Internal Reforming Methanol Fuel Cell (IRMFC) operated efficiently for more than 72 h at 210 degrees C with a cell voltage of 642 mV at 0.2 A cm(-2), when 30% CH3OH/45% H2O/He (anode feed) and pure O-2 (cathode feed) were supplied. Copyright (C) 2014, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.