Inventors:
David P. Bloomfield - Boston MA
Arthur N. Rabe - North Quincy MA
Assignee:
Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation - Syracuse NY
International Classification:
C10J 368
Abstract:
An electrochemical autothermal reformer (EATR) provides hydrogen. The EATR includes an autothermal reformer region, a reformer anode supply region, and a composite membrane layer separating the reformer anode from the autothermal reformer region. The composite membrane layer includes a mechanically stable porous ceramic support member with a thin gas permeable ceramic substrate layer overlaying the support member. Overlaying the substrate layer is a first thin metallic catalyst layer which promotes the dissociation of H. sub. 2 to 2H. sup. + +2e. sup. 31. Overlaying the first catalyst layer is a metallic oxide layer capable of conducting 2H. sup. + +2e. sup. - at elevated temperatures. Overlaying the metallic oxide layer is a second thin metallic catalyst layer which promotes the recombination of 2H. sup. + +2e. sup. 31 to H. sub. 2.