Iso-octane internal reforming in a solid oxide cell reactor

This study reports on the feasibility of internal iso-octane steam reforming process in an YSZ solid oxide fuel cell reactor by employing Cu/CeO2 as catalyst/anodic electrode. The Cu/CeO2 anode is evaluated for its both catalytic and electro-catalytic performance. In all cases, i-C8H18 was successfully reformed by H2O to syngas. In addition, appreciable amounts of CO2 and CH4 were also produced. The distribution of products was also influenced by i-C8H18 thermal pyrolysis and catalytic decomposition processes leading mainly to olefins formation. At closed-circuit operation, and by applying anodic overpotentials, mainly H2 and CO were electro-oxidized to H2O and CO2, while at cathodic polarization conditions the co-electrolysis of H2O and CO2 to H2 and CO was taking place, affecting the equilibrium reactions at the anodic chamber. During fuel cell operation, the electrochemical performance increased with cell temperature and i-C8H18/H2O feed ratio. The AC impedance spectroscopy analysis showed contributions both from charge and mass transfer processes, with the latter to dominate the overall cell performance. •Iso-octane was successfully steam-reformed to syngas on Cu-CeO2 catalyst.•Iso-octane reforming/decomposition, RWGS and methanation determine the products.•Power was generated by the internal reforming of iso-octane under fuel cell operation.•The mass transfer of charged/neutral species limit the achieved cell performance.