Promoter Effect on Ni/YSZ Anode Catalyst of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell for Suppressing Coke Formation in the Methane Internal Reforming

Various additives were added in small amounts on Ni/YSZ anode of SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell) in order to improve reactivity and to inhibit deactivation due to coke deposition during methane reforming using a low mole ratio steam (H2O/CH4 = 1.5) at 800 degrees C. Ni/YSZ catalysts added with various perovskites did not show any improvement but exhibited a gradual decrease in the methane conversion. K-doped Ni/YSZ showed a steady increase and maintenance of the conversion up to 42 hours, after which there was an abrupt deactivation of catalyst owing to potassium loss by volatilization. Addition of 5% of K2Ti2O5 on Ni/YSZ showed a stable maintenance of the conversion without K loss, and was able to prevent coke formation during a long time operation. Deactivation of catalyst during the reaction was mainly caused by the accumulation of graphidic carbon on the catalyst surface.