Out of the cell performance of reforming catalysts for direct molten carbonate fuel cells (DMCFC)

Abstract

Nickel catalysts supported on commercial MgO and LiAlO 2 have been tested and compared in the methane steam reforming reaction at temperatures ranging from 798 to 923 K and GHSV from 5.4 × 10 6s −1 to 5.4 × 10 8s −1. Initial molar ratio of the reactants, R = P H 2O / P CH 4 was 2.54. Results of the influence of the catalyst reduction temperature have been reported. Preliminary results of the reaction kinetic analysis, adopting first order pseudohomogeneous model, are given. The suitability of using these catalysts into the molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC), to generate hydrogen directly by the methane steam reforming, is discussed.