The LTCC combustor for ceramic micro-reactor for steam reforming

One of the possibilities for achieving portable power systems is a low-temperature fuel-cell system integrated with a fuel processor. A fuel processor is needed to make the hydrogen from liquid fuels (mainly methanol), as the required fuel for PEM (polymer-electrolyte membrane) fuel cells. The LTCC (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics) technology was used to prepare prototypes of microreactors for the steam reforming of liquid fuels with water into hydrogen. The 3D LTCC structures with buried cavities and channels, including two evaporators (fuel and water), the mixing chamber, the reformer and the combustor were realized. The combustor component was prepared by lamination of 22 LTCC green tapes (Du Pont 951). The main parts are eight burners realized as buried cavities. In the burners the platinum based catalyst is deposited to assist the oxidation - burning - of the methanol with the air. Thick-film platinum based heaters and temperature sensors are incorporated within the structure. The component was tested with different flow rates of liquid methanol - 1 ml/h to 5 ml/h - and air - 7 l/h to 15 l/h. The obtained temperatures were between 250°C and 450°C.