Feasibility Tests of Oxygen Recovery Technology as an Internally Reforming Regenerative Fuel Cell

A Solid Oxide Electrolysis/embedded Sabatier reactor system used to produce oxygen and methane products may provide a carbon deposition resistant system capable of internally steam reforming methane and generating power. Minimal start-up water is required; operations are sustained by recycling water from the effluent using spaceflight- qualified humidity control membrane technology. The system is gravity-independent and compact with no moving parts. Leak-tight operations are improved by employing a new glass seal approach. Laboratory tests on single cells were performed to confirm simultaneous internal methane steam reforming and fuel cell operation without carbon deposition. Tests also demonstrated seals at high differential pressure and multiple thermal cycles.