International Fuel Cells, LLC

United Technologies Corporation

John A Bett

Herbert J Setzer

Roger R Lesieur

Sam Karavolis

Douglas J Wheeler

Calvin L Bushnell

Solid polymer membrane fuel cell product water which forms on the oxidant side of the membrane is removed from the active area of the cells in a fuel cell power plant by being absorbed into and wicked away from the active area by a porous carbon body which contacts the membrane. The carbon body may be an oxidant reactant flow field plate. The pores in the carbon body are partially filled with metal oxide granules which impart increased wettability and water absorption capacity to the carbon body.

Porous carbon body with increased wettability by water

High activity sulfur tolerant steam reforming catalysts are described comprising iridium, palladium or platinum supported on lanthanum stabilized alumina or magnesium promoted lanthanum stabilized alumina. The catalysts have improved activity over conventionally used catalysts in the presence of sulfur containing hydrocarbon fuels, particularly in a steam reforming environment. The catalysts have utility in autothermal, tubular, cyclic and adiabatic steam reforming processes.

Steam reforming catalyst

Steam reforming utilizing sulfur tolerant catalyst

High activity steam reforming iron oxide catalysts are described. Such catalysts can be unsupported utilizing at least 90% by weight iron oxide and various modifiers (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, K.sub.2 O, CaO, SiO.sub.2) or unmodified and supported on such things as alumina, CaO impregnated alumina, and lanthanum stabilized alumina. When used in steam reformers such as autothermal and tubular steam reformers, these catalysts demonstrate much improved resistance to carbon plugging.

Steam reforming utilizing iron oxide catalyst

Iron oxide catalyst for steam reforming

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Hamden, CT, United States of America

John A Bett