Novel perovskite-based catalysts for autothermal JP-8 fuel reforming

Autothermal reforming is an attractive method for on-site production of hydrogen for use in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The use of liquid hydrocarbons as feedstock, however, remains a challenge as these fuels cause severe coking of the currently available catalysts. In this work, cerium- and nickel-substituted LaFeO3 perovskites were investigated as potential low cost coking resistant catalysts for autothermal reforming of a JP-8 fuel surrogate. The high surface area complex oxides were prepared using aqueous (solution) combustion synthesis at fuel-rich conditions and characterized by BET and XRD techniques. The catalysts exhibited excellent stability during autothermal reforming at 775∘C and 1 atm, with near-equilibrium hydrogen yield even at high GHSV values (130,000h-1). The addition of cerium significantly improved coking resistance, attributed to improved oxygen ion conductivity, resulting in carbon oxidation on the catalyst surface.