Volume 54

Design and optimization of segmented reformer based on NSGA-II optimization algorithms Ruhang Zhang, Xinhai Yu, Hongxiang Zheng, Shuaishuai Yuan

Abstract

The reformer is a key component in MRFC for on-site H2 production and operation of HT-PEMFC. In this study, a segmented reformer was designed using heat transfer structure optimization to control the temperature segmentation of the reaction zone, achieving high conversion rate and low CO outlet molar fraction. The multi-objective optimization of methanol conversion rate and CO output molar fraction was conducted to determine the optimal structures with the NSGA-II optimization algorithm. Under the optimal structure, the methanol conversion rate of the segmented reformer reaches 99.6%, with a CO outlet mole fraction of 1.3%. For the output power, the MRFC with the segmented reformer can generate output power of 302 W, which provides reference significance for the commercialization of MRFC.

Keywords reformer, HT-PEMFC, methanol, waste heat utilization