Methanol-to-electricity via low-temperature steam reforming integrated with a high-temperature PEM fuel cell

Rehman M, Schwarz C, Souzani S, Heßke C, Haumann M (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Sustainable Energy & Fuels Royal Society of Chemistry

Book Volume: 9

Pages Range: 5627-5634

Journal Issue: 20

DOI: 10.1039/d5se00703h

Abstract

Liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) are a promising method for renewable, green hydrogen transportation from the point of generation using renewable energy to the point of demand. Methanol is one such LOHC with advantages such as high hydrogen content, easy transportation and a simple reaction to release the hydrogen. Herein, we reported the use of a novel supported liquid phase (SLP) catalyst in a miniplant to carry out low-temperature methanol steam reforming (MSR) to release hydrogen and subsequently produce electricity using a high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC). This reformed methanol fuel cell (RMFC) setup successfully ran over the course of 45 h experiencing little catalyst deactivation, producing up to 49.2 lN h−1 of hydrogen and up to 39 W electrical power using HT-PEMFC. Comparing between the reformate gas produced using SLP catalyst and pure hydrogen as feed for the fuel cell, the HT-PEMFC showed almost no difference in the voltage-current characteristic curve in the technically relevant operating points between 500 and 700 mV cell voltage. Furthermore, a pinch analysis indicated that the combination of a low-temperature MSR and HT-PEMFC presents an opportunity for heat-integration which could lead to increased efficiency.

Authors with CRIS profile

Muhammad Rehman Lehrstuhl für Chemische Reaktionstechnik (CRT) Christian Schwarz Lehrstuhl für Chemische Reaktionstechnik (CRT) Marco Haumann Lehrstuhl für Chemische Reaktionstechnik (CRT)

Involved external institutions

ZBT - Zentrum für BrennstoffzellenTechnik GmbH / ZBT - Center for Fuel Cell Technology DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Rehman, M., Schwarz, C., Souzani, S., Heßke, C., & Haumann, M. (2025). Methanol-to-electricity via low-temperature steam reforming integrated with a high-temperature PEM fuel cell. Sustainable Energy & Fuels, 9(20), 5627-5634. https://doi.org/10.1039/d5se00703h

MLA:

Rehman, Muhammad, et al. "Methanol-to-electricity via low-temperature steam reforming integrated with a high-temperature PEM fuel cell." Sustainable Energy & Fuels 9.20 (2025): 5627-5634.

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