Carbon monoxide removal from hydrogen-rich fuel cell feedstreams by selective catalytic oxidation

Journal Article · Thu Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Journal of Catalysis; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1006/jcat.1993.1205· OSTI ID:5845858

Oh, Se H; Sinkevitch, R M ^[1]

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1. General Motors Research Development Center, Warren, MI (United States)

Indirect methanol fuel cells currently being investigated at General Motors for transportation applications require removal of carbon monoxide from the hydrogen-rich gas stream produced by the fuel processing section. A variety of catalytic materials, including noble metals (Pt, Pd, Rh, and Ru) and base metals (Co/Cu, Ni/Co/Fe, Ag, Cr, Fe, and Mn), were evaluated in a laboratory reactor feedstream containing CO, H[sub 2], and O[sub 2] in order to identify alternate catalysts which are more effective than currently used Pt/Al[sub 2]O[sub 3] in selectively oxidizing CO in the presence of excess H[sub 2]. Both Ru/Al[sub 2]O[sub 3] and Rh/Al[sub 2]O[sub 3] are among the most active catalysts for CO oxidation, achieving nearly complete CO conversion at temperatures as low as 100[degrees]C (compared to [approximately]200[degrees]C required for currently used Pt/Al[sub 2]O[sub 3]). Futhermore, the Ru/Al[sub 2]O[sub 3] and Rh/Al[sub 2]O[sub 3] catalysts were found to be exceptionally selective for CO oxidation, making it possible to purify the fuel cell feedstream with a minimum loss of the energy content associated with H[sub 2]. 30 refs., 8 figs., 1 tab.

• OSTI ID: 5845858
• Journal Information: Journal of Catalysis; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Catalysis; (United States) Vol. 142:1; ISSN 0021-9517; ISSN JCTLA5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330702 -- Emission Control-- Carbon Monoxide
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400201* -- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
ALCOHOLS
ALUMINIUM ORES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CATALYSIS
CATALYST SUPPORTS
CATALYSTS
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
ELEMENTS
FUEL CELLS
HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSIS
HYDROGEN
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
METALS
METHANOL
NONMETALS
ORES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLATINUM METALS
REMOVAL
RHODIUM
RUTHENIUM
TRANSITION ELEMENTS