Temperature effects on the formation of carbon during pre-reforming of logistic fuels over nobel metal catalysts for SOFC applications

The effect of temperature on the formation and type of carbon during pre-reforming of a model jet fuel over novel metal catalysts for SOFC applications was studied. At pre-reforming temperatures of 510°C, maximum carbon formation was observed. By increasing the pre-reforming temperature to 531°C, the amount of carbon formed on the catalyst was significantly reduced due to higher activity of the catalyst. However, by increasing the reaction temperature, the amount of carbon formed during gas-phase pyrolysis prior to the catalyst bed increased. To avoid carbon formation prior to the catalyst bed, without fuel modification, the pre-reforming temperature should be kept below 510°C, thus requiring catalysts with higher activity at these temperatures.