Abstract
Abstract This study integrates successfully that a micro heat exchange-type hydrogen supplier (MHEHS) as a fuel supply source for a micro reforming methanol fuel cell (RMFC). The MHEHS is with dimension of 2 cm (L) × 2 cm (W) × 0.2 cm (T) and is composed of a micro-channel heat exchanger (MCHE, 2nd layer) and a micro channel reformer (MCR, 4th layer) by a micro machinery techniques. The present study focuses on the thermal field, especially the temperature distribution in the MCR Liquid methanol (25℃) is mixed with oxygen and flowed through the front side of the MCHE. Evaporation of liquid methanol in the micro-channel is warrant through an external heat input and the generated from a partial oxidation of methanol (POM) in the MCR. The dynamic temperature distribution in the MCR during methanol reforming reacting is observed using a non-contact infrared thermometer (IR). The hot spots and the evolution of hot region can thus be cleanly visualized. The product composition after the POM is collected and analyzed by a gas chromatography (GC). The effect of methanol flow rate, oxygen flow rate and heating power on the dynamic temperature distribution of the MCR and on the performance of the MHEHS are investigated. The results shows that when the VO2= 10 sccm,VMeOH= 0.25 sccm, and qpower= 22.5 W, the hydrogen production rate is the highest of 2.97×10-5 mole/s and thermal efficiency is 70.2 %. On the other hand, when the VO2 and qpowerkeep the same, while VMeOH is reduced to the stoichiometric value of 0.04 sccm, the hydrogen selectivity is the highest of 77.3 %. The yield rate and selectivity of carbon monoxide remains very low or zero in any Oxygen flowrate over 8 sccm.