Low-temperature catalytic partial oxidation of hydrocarbons (C1–C10) for hydrogen production

The catalytic partial oxidation of hydrocarbons to provide hydrogen for fuel cells, mobile or stationary, requires high temperatures (900°C), multireactors and incurs the highest incremental costs for the gasoline fuel processor. New experimental data between 500°C and 600°C, supported by equilibrium calculations, show that hydrogen with low carbon monoxide concentrations can be produced from liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons, thus simplifying the reactor chain. Low sulphur refinery feeds (C4–C6, C4–C10), simulated natural gas (C1–C3) and single compounds are used and safety procedures discussed. Results from laboratory reactors with 1 wt% rhodium on mixed oxide catalysts show that hydrogen rates of 43,000 l H2/h/l reactor (power density 129 kWth/l reactor) are produced with RON=95 feeds. However, the cost and availability of rhodium limit the catalyst rhodium content to 0.1 wt% when 31,100 l H2/h/l reactor were measured. Optimisation and reactor scale-up for heat management is in progress.