Dynamic mathematical model of a low-temperature ethanol reformer for fuel cell feeding

V. GARCÍA; E. LÓPEZ; M. SERRA; J. LLORCA

JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Año: 2009 vol. 192 p. 208 - 215

0378-7753

A low-temperature ethanol reformer based on a cobalt catalyst for the production of hydrogen has been designed aiming the feed of a fuel cell for an autonomous low-scale power production unit. The reformer comprises three stages: ethanol dehydrogenation to acetaldehyde and hydrogen over SnO2 followed by acetaldehyde steam reforming over Co(Fe)/ZnO catalyst and water gas shift reaction. Kinetic data have been obtained under different experimental conditions and a dynamic model has been developed for a tubular reformer loaded with catalytic monoliths for the production of the hydrogen required to feed a 1 kWPEMFC.