Versatile Fuel Cleanup System Based on Palladium Permeation and Vapor Electrolysis

Some variations and extensions of a Fuel Cleanup System based on the combination of palladium diffuser and a vapor electrolysis cell were studied to improve the flexibility to accept broader range of flow rate, gas contents and operation modes. Processing of inert gas - CH₄, H₂, He₂O mixtures in a closed loop showed satisfactory detritiation, with the processing of methane by catalytic steam reforming and oxidation, and electrolytic oxidation. The decomposition of hydrocarbon on the anode side of the ceramic electrolysis cell was tested to study the feasibility as an oxidizer. The zirconia ceramic membrane with Pt electrode are tested with methane at the anode for oxidation, and water vapor on the cathode for reduction. The cell converted methane to carbon dioxide and vapor with high efficiency and simultaneously decomposed water vapor to hydrogen. This application of the cell simplifies the process, and eliminates the use of catalyst and oxygen gas. A versatile fuel cleanup that eliminates most of previos concerns and improves the performance is proposed.