Design of a Catalytic Combustor for Pure Methanol and HTPEM Fuel Cell Anode Waste Gas

Transportation sector CO₂ emissions contribute to global warming. Methanol generated from clean energy sources has been proposed as a transportation fuel as an alternative to gasoline or diesel to reduce emissions. Catalytic methanol-steam reformers can be combined with high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane (HTPEM) fuel cell systems to create compact electrical power modules which run on liquid methanol. These modules combine the efficiency of a fuel cell system with the convenience of using a traditional, liquid hydrocarbon fuel.;Catalytic methanol-steam reformers require a heat source as the methanol-steam reforming process is endothermic. The heat source for this system will initially be from the catalytic combustion of either pure methanol, during startup, or from HTPEM fuel cell anode waste gas during system operation. Efficient use of catalyst requires effective premixing of the fuel and air. This study will investigate parameters affecting premixing and their effect on temperature distributions and emissions.