Comparatative analysis on various reformers supplied with different fuels and integrated with high temperature PEM fuel cells

•Overall energy balance of steam reformer and HT-PEMFC integrated system is analysed.•Steam reformer with WGSR is needed to achieve high system efficiency.•External heat is required to maintain steam reforming.•60% heat is required to preheat reformer fuel as increase in S/C ratio from 4 to 6.•Proper structure of heat exchanger is needed to optimise system integration.

High-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) have received substantial attention in stationary sector applications, due to their high carbon monoxide (CO) tolerance, high-quality waste heat and simplified water management system. Hydrogen rich gas produced in a fuel reforming process can be used and can be directly supplied to the HT-PEMFC stack anode omitting complex hydrogen purification process. It allows a wide range of fuel flexibility for the reforming process. The present study is an analysis of HT-PEMFC stack performance operating with an integrated steam reformer, operated with various fuels like ethanol, glycerol, methanol, methane and other fuels. The HT-PEMFC stack is modelled with a concept of varying local current density in the cathode catalyst layer.