METHANE STEAM REFORMING OVER FE ELECTRODES IN A SOLID-ELECTROLYTE CELL

The production of synthesis gas, CO + H-2, from methane steam reforming was studied in a yttria-stabilized zirconia reactor at 850-950-degrees-C and atmospheric total pressure. The reactor also served as an oxygen-ion-conducting solid electrolyte cell with reduced Fe and Pt used as anodic and cathodic electrodes, respectively. The effect of two oxygen sources-gaseous oxygen and ionically transported oxygen-on methane steam reforming was studied. It was found that O2- transported through the electrolyte promoted CO formation more favorably than gaseous oxygen. When O2- + H2O was supplied, up to 87 % yield to CO was obtained. Ionically transported oxygen and gaseous oxygen, however, did not significantly differ in H-2 formation. The H-2/CO ratio could be influenced by the amount of O2- pumped through the electrolyte. Carbon formation occurred with both oxidants, however, less with O2-. Iron was compared to nickel and found to be comparable in catalytic activity. These results could be used in the development of an in situ methane steam reforming solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). It is suggested that operation of the reactor cell as a fuel cell may be at least as good as existing industrial methods and still coproduce electrical energy.