Development of a Medium-Size Steam Reformer for CHP Applications Based on PEM Fuel Cells

This paper describes technological of a fuel processor for hydrogen production able to convert 10 cubic meters of methane per hour. This device has been developed to feed hydrogen CHP suitable for the most common residential applications. The measured conversion efficiencies are extremely high: after the steam reformer the results are 76%H2; 18%CO2; 0,5%CH4; 5%CO; but the carbon monoxide is totally reduced throughout the water gas shift and the partial oxidation which contemporarily increase the hydrogen to over 77%. According to these results, this fuel processor is one of the first middle sized reformer to achieve, at comparable costs per cubic meter, conversion performance that were normally obtained only by industrial reforming plants.Copyright © 2010 by ASME