Catalytic steam reforming of methane in presence of H2S on Ni-based SOFC anodes

Methane steam reforming (MSR) is one of the most common methods used for H2 production. The produced CO can also react with water via the water-gas-shift (WGS) reaction to further produce hydrogen. When a methane-steam mixture is supplied directly to the anode of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC), these reactions take place and the produced CO and H2 are electrochemically converted for electricity production. A typical problem of the direct natural gas reforming process is the effect of sulphur impurities. Small concentrations of H2S are present in natural gas, thus during direct internal reforming of natural gas, the SOFC anode suffers from severe poisoning (1-2). This study investigates the sulphur tolerance during catalytic methane steam reforming using commercial and modified (by adding Au or Mo dopants) Ni/GDC powders.