The conversion of gasoline to hydrogen for on-board vehicle applications

The autothermal reforming of model gasoline mixtures to produce hydrogen for fuel cell operations has been studied. Deactivation due to coking of a single Ni/Pt-based catalyst has been found to be significant, but operation using a platinum-ceria catalyst in line with a Ni-based steam-reforming catalyst allows acceptable efficiencies. Oxidation over the Pt/CeO₂ could be initiated at room temperature if the catalyst was pre-reduced. All oxygen was consumed and the bed temperature increased to about 580°C. Subsequent steam reforming over a nickel-based catalyst gave ca. 70% conversion at a steam:carbon ratio between 2 and 3.4, with selectivity to hydrogen of between 65 and 70%. Application to fuel cell operations would require the selective removal of 1-2% carbon monoxide from the product gases.