Integrated Reformer with an Electrochemical Separator using a High Temperature Solid Acid Membrane

Fuel cells offer one of the best available solutions to decrease our nations dependence of foreign oil, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and provide reliable electricity. Methanol steam reforming (MSR) is used to generate hydrogen for fuel cells. The reaction products typically include hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and water. The product must be further purified and compressed to desired pressure. The process is complicated and expensive to design, manufacture, and operate. A new reactor directly coupling methanol steam reforming and electrochemical hydrogen compressor (EHC) will be designed and fabricated in this project. The EHC is based on solid acid membrane. In this reactor, hydrogen generation, purification, and compression are performed simultaneously in one unit operation. High pressure hydrogen can be produced without mechanical compressor. Compared with conventional reactors, the new reactor has a compact size, small footprint, and high methanol conversion because of equilibrium shift. The new reactor can be a standalone hydrogen generator to recharge hydrogen storage containers. It can also be integrated into a fuel cell system