An On-Board Pure H2 Supply System Based on A Membrane Reactor for A Fuel Cell Vehicle: A Theoretical Study

Abstract

In this novel conceptual fuel cell vehicle (FCV), an on-board CH4 steam reforming (MSR) membrane reformer (MR) is considered to generate pure H2 for supplying a Fuel Cell (FC) system, as an alternative to the conventional automobile engines. Two on-board tanks are forecast to store CH4 and water, useful for feeding both a combustion chamber (designed to provide the heat required by the system) and a multi tubes Pd-Ag MR useful to generate pure H2 via methane steam reforming (MSR) reaction. The pure H2 stream is hence supplied to the FC. The flue gas stream coming out from the combustion chamber is used to preheat the MR feed stream by two heat exchangers and one evaporator. Then, this theoretical work demonstrates by a 1-D model the feasibility of the MR based system in order to generate 5 kg/day of pure H2 required by the FC system for cruising a vehicle for around 500 km. The calculated CH4 and water consumptions were 50 and 70 kg, respectively, per 1 kg of pure H2. The on-board MR based FCV presents lower CO2 emission rates than a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle, also resulting in a more environmentally friendly solution.

Recent development and challenges in fuel cells and water electrolyzer reactions: an overview

“…Recently, several efforts have been made in the successful development of H 2 fuel cell vehicles (FCV) to build a worldwide H 2 refueling network station for the launching of the FCV market. 154,155 One of the most promising high active metal oxide-based electrocatalyst has been used as a signicant one to achieve the fascinating WS reaction with boosted electrocatalytic activities. Next, transition metal suldes (TMS) have also been extensively explored as effective, widely available alternatives to precious metals in the overall WS process due to their physicochemical properties with well-dened nanostructures, controllable compositions, and excellent performance.…”

Hydrogen Fuel for Future Mobility: Challenges and Future Aspects

“…Different fuels can be used in an internal combustion engine. This requires proper engine control unit calibration and the material compatibility of engine components with various fuels [92,93]. The use of hydrogen as a fuel for internal combustion engines (ICEs) provides a number of benefits [94].…”

A novel concept for pure hydrogen production and a massive reduction in CO2 emissions from the formaldehyde absorption process

“…3 Ultra-pure hydrogen is needed in many applications, including the use in fuel cell cars. 4 One of the important methods of hydrogen purification is the use of membranes. Pd-Ag alloys are widely used as hydrogen purifications membranes.…”

“…They showed that 150 kg/h of hydrogen could be produced in a refinery with 2,500 kg/h of waste gasses. 14 Parvasi et al 4 simulated a recovery loop for reducing CO 2 and greenhouse gas emissions from a gas refinery purge gas. They demonstrated that by assisting a Pd-Ag membrane reactor, the toxic hot gasses could be converted to useful products such as synthesis gas and hydrogen instead of emitting them to the ecosystem.…”