Analysis and practice of temperature variation reduction in fuel cell reformer

Abstract

Variation in operation temperatures of catalyst tubes of a multi-tubular dispersed-use reformer for multi-megawatt fuel cell applications has crucial effects on its performance and efficiency. To reduce the temperature variation, thermal radiation media disposed so as to envelope each of catalyst tubes had been employed. Based upon pretests on a small scale device and extensive simulation analysis. A partial model reformer having a capacity equivalent to 500 kW was constructed and put into long term tests, thereby verifying the thermal radiation media proved to be much effective in improving the variation of catalyst tube temperature.