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

Journal Article · · Journal of Catalysis; (United States)
;  [1]
  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), Vol. 142:1; ISSN 0021-9517
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English