Fuel cells are widely seen as cleaner and more efficient energy sources for transport, stationary, and distributed power.  The fuel reformer is a critical component of the fuel cell system and must be able to provide pure hydrogen or tailored synthesis gas, depending on the fuel cell type, to the fuel cell stack for long-term operation without any catalyst deactivation. Deactivation of catalysts in the reforming of hydrocarbon fuels is caused mainly by three mechanisms: carbon formation, sulfur poisoning, and thermally induced changes such as catalyst sintering and vaporization.  Approaches to minimize catalyst deactivation from carbon deposition and sulfur poisoning have included: using oxygen-conducting supports and substituting active metal particles into thermally stable oxide structures, such as perovskites, pyrochlores, and hexaaluminates. The mechanisms of deactivation specifically for the reforming reactions will be discussed, as well as the approaches that have been reported to limit deactivation.

Deactivation of reforming catalysts

245th National Meeting (2013)

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