ELECTROCHEMICAL AUTOTHERMAL REFORMER

摘要

An electrochemical autothermal reformer (EATR) provides hydrogen. The EATR includes an autothermal reformer region, a reformer anode supply region, and a composite membrane layer (10) separating the reformer anode from the autothermal reformer region. The composite membrane layer (10) includes a mechanically stable porous ceramic support member (12) with a thin gas permeable ceramic substrate layer (14) overlaying the support member (12). Overlaying the substrate layer (14) is a first thin metallic first catalyst layer (16) which promotes the dissociation of H2 to 2H+ + 2e-. Overlaying the first catalyst layer (16) is a metallic oxide layer (18) capable of conducting 2H+ + 2e- at elevated temperatures. Overlaying the metallic oxide layer (18) is a second thin metallic catalyst layer (20) which promotes the recombination of 2H+ + 2e- to H2.