Production of Hydrogen for Low-Temperature Fuel Cells by Synthetic Diesel Fuel Reforming

The results of experimental and theoretical studies on the steam reforming of synthetic diesel fraction (SDF) over industrial methanation catalyst NIAP-07-01 of hydrogen production for fuel cells are reported. SDF (boiling point, 180–290°C) obtained by Fischer–Tropsch synthesis over a zeolite-containing Co/SiO2/ZSM-5/Al2O3 catalyst consists of C11–C18 hydrocarbons (88%) and a small C5–C10 fraction amount (10.8%). It has been established that, at a ratio Н2О/С = 3.03 in the temperature region of 450–650°C, the equilibrium SDF conversion is almost 100%, while the nickel catalyst provides complete SDF conversion at temperatures above 600°C. The main conversion products are hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide at a hydrogen concentration much higher and a methane concentration lower than calculated equilibrium values. NIAP-07-01 exhibits high activity and selectivity to hydrogen. The maximum hydrogen yield is 279 g_H_2 /(kgSDF) at 650°C and an H2 concentration of 66.5% in the converted gas. Calculations show that, to supply a 10 kW power plant with hydrogen from a low-temperature fuel cell with a proton exchange membrane based on a Pt/C catalyst, the SDF consumption must be 2.8 kg/h.