Ethane dehydrogenation over nano-Cr2O3 anode catalyst in proton ceramic fuel cell reactors to co-produce ethylene and electricity

Ethane and electrical power are co-generated in proton ceramic fuel cell reactors having Cr2O3 nanoparticles as anode catalyst, BaCe0.8Y0.15Nd0.05O3−δ (BCYN) perovskite oxide as proton conducting ceramic electrolyte, and Pt as cathode catalyst. Cr2O3 nanoparticles are synthesized by a combustion method. BaCe0.8Y0.15Nd0.05O3−δ (BCYN) perovskite oxides are obtained using a solid state reaction. The power density increases from 51 mW cm−2 to 118 mW cm−2 and the ethylene yield increases from about 8% to 31% when the operating temperature of the solid oxide fuel cell reactor increases from 650 °C to 750 °C. The fuel cell reactor and process are stable at 700 °C for at least 48 h. Cr2O3 anode catalyst exhibits much better coke resistance than Pt and Ni catalysts in ethane fuel atmosphere at 700 °C.