Hydrogen production via aqueous-phase reforming for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells - a review

Aqueous-phase reforming (APR) can convert methanol and other oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrogen carbon dioxide at lower temperatures when compared with the corresponding gas phase process. APR favours water-gas shift (WGS) reaction inhibits alkane formation; moreover, it is a simpler more energy efficient process gas-phase steam reforming. For example, Pt-based catalysts supported on alumina are typically selected for APR, due their high activity of circa 200°C. However, non-noble such as nickel (Ni) metal-oxides or zeolites being investigated promising results in terms catalytic stability. The development kinetic models reactor designs also addressed make attractive producing in situ hydrogen.