HYDROGEN FROM METHANOL FOR FUEL-CELLS IN MOBILE SYSTEMS - DEVELOPMENTOF A COMPACT REFORMER

On-board generation of hydrogen from methanol with a reformer in conne ction with the use of a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is an attractive option for a passenger car drive. Special considerations are required to obtain low weight and volume. Furthermore, the PEMFC of today cannot tolerate more than 10 ppm of carbon monoxide in the fu el. Therefore a gas conditioning step is needed after the methanol ref ormer. Our main research activities focus on the conceptual design of a drive system for a passenger car with methanol reformer and PEMFC: e ngineering studies with regard to different aspects of this design inc luding reformer, catalytic burner, gas conditioning, balances of the f uel cycles and basic design of a compact methanol reformer. The work d escribed here was carried out within the framework of a JOULE II proje ct of the European Union (1993-1995). Extensive experimental studies h ave been carried out at the Forschungszentrum Julich GmbH (KFA) in Ger many and at Haldor Topsoe A/S in Denmark.