Fuel processing for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles

The aim of this paper is to analyze the main concerns related to on-board hydrogen catalytic production of fuel cell electric vehicles, starting from different gaseous and liquid fuels. In particular, limits and potentialities of hydrocarbons and alcohols have been examined, considering steam reforming and partial oxidation reactions with reference to emission and efficiency implications. Preliminary results of an experimental investigation on steam reforming of natural gas and liquid hydrocarbons are reported. Furthermore, a mono-dimensional mathematical model of methane steam reformer based on first order kinetics has been developed to simulate the experimental results.