Tandem Rh-based structured reformer and Ni-YSZ SOFC for decentralized gasoline-to-power conversion

This work reports on the performance of a 0.24 wt% Rh/Ce 0.75 Zr 0.25 O 2 –δ–η-Al 2 O 3 /FeCrAl structured catalyst in the autothermal reforming of commercial gasoline with a research octane number of 92. Stable syngas production amounting to 70 Nl·h −1 containing of 33.8 vol% H 2 and 9.8 vol% CO was demonstrated over 50 h of continuous operation. The origin of the high catalytic efficiency was elucidated by physicochemical characterization (XPS, STEM, XRD), which confirmed the role of Rh redox flexibility (Rh 3+ ⇄ Rh⁰) and Ce 4+ ⇄ Ce 3+ cycling in suppressing carbon formation and maintaining active site dispersion. The compatibility of the produced syngas with Ni–YSZ solid oxide fuel cells was assessed, and a reformer–SOFC tandem concept was proposed to supply 50 W to telecommunication equipment, with operational parameters derived from the present reformer performance. Such a system highlights the potential of integrating catalytic reforming with SOFC conversion for decentralized power generation in remote applications where access to centralized infrastructure is limited.