Direct reforming of Methane–Ammonia mixed fuel on Ni–YSZ anode of solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract To control the temperature distribution in the Ni–YSZ (yttria-stabilized zirconia) anode of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) by efficiently utilizing the heat generated by electrochemical reactions, the supply of methane–ammonia mixed fuel is proposed. The reaction characteristics of reforming/decomposition of the mixed fuel on a Ni–YSZ catalyst are experimentally investigated. A mixture gas of methane, steam, ammonia, and balance argon is supplied to a packed bed catalyst placed in a quartz tube in an electric furnace. The crushed Ni–YSZ anode of SOFCs is used as the catalyst. The exhaust gas composition is analyzed by gas chromatography and the streamwise temperature distribution of the catalyst bed is measured by an infrared camera. It is found that ammonia decomposition preferentially proceeds and steam methane reforming becomes active after sufficient ammonia has been consumed. A low-temperature region is formed by steam methane reforming owing to its strongly endothermic nature. Its position moves downstream while its magnitude decreases as the ammonia concentration in the fuel increases. This shows that the local temperature distribution can be controlled by tuning the ratio of methane to ammonia in the mixed fuel. It is also found that, at a certain mixture ratio, the mixed fuel realizes a hydrogen production rate higher than that for only methane or ammonia.