Rajan Wilcox
Fuel cell reformers are devices used in chemical engineering, specifically in the area of fuel cell technology, to produce hydrogen gas. The amount of carbon dioxide released by fuel cell reformers depends on the type of fuel used. For example, methanol reformers create carbon dioxide as a byproduct, while hydrogen power produces energy without CO2 emissions. Steam reforming, which uses natural gas as feedstock, produces a small amount of carbon dioxide. Fossil fuel reforming reduces carbon dioxide emissions compared to burning conventional fuels, but carbon capture and storage methods can further reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90%.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| CO2 released by fuel cell reformer | A methanol reformer creates CO2 as a byproduct. |
| Types of fuel cell reformers | Methanol reformer, Steam reformer, PEM fuel cell reformer, MCFC, SOFC, RMFC, IMFC, PAFC |
| Advantages of fuel cell reformers | Reduced petroleum use and emissions compared to gasoline-powered vehicles, no need for pressurized gas tanks, higher efficiency, smaller cell stacks, less requirement on methanol purity, no water management, better operation at low temperatures, storage at sub-zero temperatures |
| Disadvantages of fuel cell reformers | Methanol is toxic and flammable, cost of PdAg membrane and susceptibility to damage by temperature changes, CO poisoning, difficulty eliminating CO from the reformer exhaust, reduced efficiency with lower percentages of hydrogen in the fuel stream |
| Carbon capture and storage | Carbon capture and storage (CCS) methods can remove up to 90% of CO2 produced during hydrogen production, but implementation is currently problematic and costly |
| Hydrogen production methods | Steam reforming, autothermal reforming (ATR), partial oxidation, thermochemical water splitting, electrolysis |
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What You'll Learn
Steam reforming produces CO2
Steam reforming is a process that reacts hydrocarbons with water to produce syngas (hydrogen and carbon monoxide). The main purpose of this technology is hydrogen production, although syngas has multiple other uses, such as the production of ammonia or methanol. Steam reforming is currently the least expensive method for hydrogen production in terms of capital cost, and globally, almost 50% of hydrogen is produced this way.
The CO2 produced by steam reforming can be captured and stored geologically, a process known as carbon capture and storage (CCS). This can prevent the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, but it increases the cost of the process. Hydrogen produced by steam reforming is termed ''grey' hydrogen when the waste carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere and 'blue' hydrogen when it is captured and stored. Zero-carbon 'green' hydrogen is produced by thermochemical water splitting, using solar thermal, low- or zero-carbon electricity or waste heat, or electrolysis.
There are ongoing efforts to reduce the CO2 emissions associated with steam reforming. For example, the energy requirement of the MSR process can be supplied by renewable energy such as hybrid concentrated solar and electric pumps to reduce CO2 emissions. Additionally, carbon capture and storage methods are being implemented within the industry, with the potential to remove up to 90% of the CO2 produced.
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Reforming fossil fuels reduces CO2 emissions
Reforming fossil fuels can reduce CO2 emissions in several ways. Firstly, it can lower the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere compared to burning conventional fuels due to increased efficiency and fuel cell characteristics. By converting fossil fuels into a hydrogen-rich mixture, the reforming process can be used to generate clean and sustainable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
One example of reforming fossil fuels is steam reforming or steam methane reforming (SMR), which is currently the most common and least expensive method for hydrogen production. In this process, natural gas reacts with steam under high temperatures and pressure in the presence of a catalyst to produce hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and a relatively small amount of carbon dioxide. While this method does not eliminate carbon dioxide release, it turns it into a point source, making carbon capture and storage a possibility. Carbon capture and storage methods can remove up to 90% of CO2 produced, but they also increase the cost of the process.
Another example of fossil fuel reforming is the use of methanol reformers in fuel cell systems or hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles. Methanol reformers react methanol and water (steam) to produce hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide. While methanol is toxic and flammable, it is stored as a liquid, making it easier to store than pressurized hydrogen. The hydrogen produced by methanol reformers can be used to generate electricity with zero carbon emissions.
On a larger scale, reforming fossil fuel consumption subsidies has the potential to significantly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. According to a report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), reforming subsidies in 32 countries could reduce emissions by almost 5.46 billion tonnes of CO2 by 2030, equivalent to the annual emissions of about 1,000 coal-fired power plants. This would also save governments nearly USD 3 trillion cumulatively by 2030. Pairing subsidy reform with a fuel tax on fossil energy could further increase emission reductions.
In conclusion, reforming fossil fuels through various technologies and policies can indeed reduce CO2 emissions. These reforms contribute to the global transition away from a fossil fuel economy, helping to mitigate climate change and move towards a more sustainable and renewable energy future.
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Carbon capture and storage
Fuel cells can play a significant role in carbon capture and storage. FuelCell Energy offers a platform that can capture carbon from an external source while simultaneously generating power. This is achieved by delivering fossil fuel emissions from industrial plants into the fuel cell's air intake (cathode), where the CO2 is electrochemically pumped to the fuel electrodes (anode), increasing the concentration of CO2 available for recycling for industrial use. The captured CO2 can be recycled into a valuable end-product, such as carbonating beverages, processing food, producing dry ice, cooling, producing fertilizer, or treating water.
High-temperature fuel cells, such as molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs), are particularly suitable for CO2 capture due to their operating cycle, which utilizes CO2. In an innovative CCS plant configuration, the CO2 in the exhaust gas is directed to the cathode of the MCFC, where it undergoes reactions to produce carbonate ions and electrons. The exhausts of these reactions are water and carbon dioxide, which are then sent to a condenser where the CO2 is separated and captured.
GTI Energy is developing a unique liquid phase reformer that uses liquid alcohol feedstocks to generate fuel cell-quality hydrogen while capturing or sequestering CO2. This technology operates at low temperatures and produces high-purity hydrogen, with the carbon being captured or sequestered by making carbonate.
Overall, carbon capture and storage, particularly with the use of fuel cells, offers a promising solution to reduce emissions and contribute to global efforts to mitigate climate change.
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CO-removal systems
The amount of CO2 released by a fuel cell reformer depends on the type of fuel and the reforming process. For example, steam-methane reforming, a common method for producing hydrogen, results in the release of a relatively small amount of carbon dioxide. On the other hand, when carbon capture and storage (CCS) are implemented, the carbon dioxide produced can be captured and stored, resulting in "blue" or "green" hydrogen.
Now, let's discuss CO-removal systems in fuel cell reformers:
The presence of carbon monoxide (CO) in the fuel feed can be detrimental to the performance of fuel cells. Low-temperature fuel cells, such as PEMFC and PAFC, have strict requirements for low CO levels in the fuel. For PEMFC, the fuel is preferably carbon monoxide-free. On the other hand, fuel cell types such as MCFCs and SOFCs operate at higher temperatures, allowing internal reforming and tolerating higher levels of CO.
To remove CO from the fuel feed or reformate gas, several methods can be employed:
- Water-Gas Shift Reaction: This reaction involves reacting CO with water (steam) to produce additional hydrogen and carbon dioxide. This reaction is commonly used to reduce the CO levels in the reformate gas. The reaction is typically carried out at temperatures above 500 °C using a nickel support catalyst.
- Pressure-Swing Adsorption: This process removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from the gas stream, leaving behind pure hydrogen. It is used to separate hydrogen from the CO and can be employed in PEMFC fuel cells to ensure that the hydrogen is free from CO, as even trace amounts can be poisonous to the electrocatalysts in the anode.
- Pyrolysis: This process involves heating hydrocarbons in the absence of air, resulting in the production of hydrogen and solid carbon. The removal of carbon from the reactor is critical to prevent catalyst poisoning. One method is to turn off the reactor and allow air to react with the carbon to form carbon dioxide.
- Catalyst Selection: The choice of catalyst can influence the presence of CO. For example, precious metal catalysts like Rh and Pt have lower tendencies to form bulk sulfides, which can inhibit the chemisorption of reforming reactants.
- Trireforming: This process combines CO2 reforming, SR, and POX in a single reactor. It offers flexibility in terms of H2/CO composition and eliminates the risk of carbon formation.
- Desulphurisation: Sulphur compounds are poisonous to catalytic processes. By removing sulphur species from the gas feed through desulphurisation, the negative impact of sulphur on the reforming process can be mitigated.
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RMFC systems
RMFC, or Reformed Methanol Fuel Cell, is a subcategory of proton-exchange fuel cells that reform methanol (CH3OH) before feeding it into the fuel cell. RMFC systems consist of a fuel processing system (FPS), a fuel cell, a fuel cartridge, and the BOP (balance of plant). The fuel cartridge stores the methanol fuel, which is typically 100% methanol or a mixture of methanol with up to 40% water. RMFC systems offer several advantages over direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) systems, including higher efficiency, smaller cell stacks, less requirement on methanol purity, and better operation at low temperatures. They are also preferred over diesel gensets in off-grid and remote applications due to their longer maintenance intervals.
The reforming process in RMFC systems involves reacting a methanol and water (steam) mixture under pressure and heat, typically around 250-360 °C. This reaction produces hydrogen and carbon dioxide, with the hydrogen being separated through pressure swing adsorption or a hydrogen-permeable membrane. The hydrogen-containing gas is then fed into the fuel cell stack, resulting in higher efficiency compared to DMFC systems.
While RMFC systems offer benefits, they also operate at hotter temperatures, requiring more advanced heat management and insulation. Additionally, methanol reformers create carbon dioxide as a byproduct, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. However, compared to gasoline vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) that utilize RMFC technology can reduce total greenhouse gas emissions by half and reduce petroleum consumption by over 90%.
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Frequently asked questions
The amount of CO2 released by a fuel cell reformer depends on the type of reformer and fuel used. For example, a methanol reformer creates CO2 as a byproduct, whereas hydrogen power produces energy without CO2.
A methanol reformer is a device used in chemical engineering, especially in the area of fuel cell technology. It can produce pure hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide by reacting methanol and water (steam).
A methanol reformer converts methanol to H2 and CO2 through a reaction that occurs at temperatures of 250°C to 360°C. The hydrogen created is then separated using pressure swing adsorption or a hydrogen-permeable membrane.
Methanol reformers offer several advantages, including higher efficiency, smaller cell stacks, less requirement on methanol purity, and better operation at low temperatures. Additionally, methanol is a liquid at a wide range of temperatures, making it easier to store than pressurized hydrogen.
The use of fuel cell reformers can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional gasoline vehicles. Even when considering the upstream process of producing hydrogen, fuel cell reformers can cut total emissions by half and reduce petroleum use by over 90%.
