Performance of PEM Fuel Cells Operating on Synthetic Reformate: Experimental and Modeling Studies

Experimental results and modeling simulating PEM Fuel Cell operation on reformed gasoline are reported. These studies cover observed and calculated effects of hydrogen dilution at the level expected from gasoline reforming and the extent of catalyst poisoning by CO under such anode operation conditions. At flow rates corresponding to less than 80% hydrogen utilization, modest losses in cell power density are observed experimentally from hydrogen dilution alone. Modeling suggests that the performance loss caused by hydrogen dilution stems primarily from combined effects of limited protonic conductivity and gas permeability within the thin film anode catalyst layer. Effects due to limited transport through the gas diffusion backing are expected to be relatively minor. Under the experimental conditions employed, little evidence was found for deleterious effects caused by internal generation of CO from CO 2 . Finally, we demonstrate complete tolerance to 100 ppm CO in a 40% H 2 inlet stream at stoichiometric flow of 1.3, using air injection into the anode.