SOFC-type microreactors that generate hydrogen for PEFC applications

A fuel cell-type microreactor that generates both hydrogen and electrical power from dry butane around 700 °C is presented for polymer–electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) applications. To demonstrate this concept, solid–oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with different Fe2O3-based anodes were fabricated, and their performances were evaluated. A Fe2O3/Cr2O3 composite anode met this criterion the most; hydrogen was produced with increasing current density; CO2/CO concentration ratios in the outlet gases were more than 2; polarization resistances were about 1 Ω cm2; carbon deposition was much more suppressed with these anodes than with a Ni/SDC cermet anode. The resulting peak power density was 110 mW cm−2 by using a 0.25-mm-thick Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 (GDC) electrolyte. The effect of Cr2O3 added into the Fe2O3 anode was also discussed in detail.