On-Board Hydrogen for High Temperature PEM Fuel Cell Stack by Methane and Methanol Steam Reforming

In this study, an in-house testing facility was used to examine the effect of CO concentration on the high temperature PEM fuel cells. Using the CO tolerance as a design parameter, a fuel processor based on steam reforming is designed using both methane and methanol as fuel. A simulation analysis based on a kinetic model is performed to investigate both methane and methanol as fuel for a potential source of hydrogen. Using simulation results, an analysis of the fuel processor and fuel cell stack is performed. The effect of steam to carbon ratio and reformer operating temperature on the overall reformer system’s performance is studied. The system was designed for a 5kWe auxiliary power unit (APU) which can be used as a combined heat and power generation system.