Development of iso-octane fuel processor system for fuel cell applications

An iso-octane fuel processor system with three different reaction stages, autothermal reforming (ATR) reaction of iso-octane, high temperature shift (HTS) and low temperature shift (LTS) reactions, was developed for applications in a fuel cell system. Catalytic properties of the prepared Ni/Fe/MgO/Al₂O₃ and Pt–Ni/CeO₂ or molybdenum carbide catalysts were compared to those of commercial NiO/CaO/Al₂O₃ and Cu/Zn/Al₂O₃ catalysts for ATR and LTS reaction, respectively. It was found that the prepared catalysts formulations in the fuel processor system were more active than those of the commercial catalysts. As the exit gas of iso-octane ATR over the Ni/Fe/MgO/Al₂O₃ catalyst was passed through Fe₃O₄–Cr₂O₃ catalyst for HTS and Mo₂C or Pt–Ni/CeO₂ catalyst for LTS reaction, the concentration of CO in hydrogen-rich stream was reduced to less than 2400 ppm. The results suggest that the iso-octane fuel processor system with prepared catalysts can be applied to PEMFC system when a preferential partial oxidation reaction is added to KIST iso-octane reformer system.