Microreactor for carrying out methanol reforming for hydrogen
production.The microreactor consists of a network of catalyst-packed
parallel microchannels of cross-sectional dimensions from 400 to 1000
micrometers with a catalyst particle filter near the outlet fabricated by
micromachining techniques, e.g., using photolithography and deep-reactive
ion etching (DRIE) on a silicon substrate. Microchannel and filter
capping, on-chip heating and temperature sensing, introduction and
trapping of catalyst particles in the microchannels, flow distribution,
microfluidic interfacing and thermal insulation are features of the
microreactor.Another microreactor consists of a radial-flow configuration
utilizing a annular shaped catalyst zone for carrying out reactions
between gases introduced into the microreactor as the gases flow from an
inner circular boundary to an outer circular boundary in a radial
direction.Methanol to hydrogen molar conversion of at least 85% to 90% at
flow rates enough to supply hydrogen to an 8 to 10 Watt fuel cell have
been achieved.Microreactors according to the invention can be achieved to
produce hydrogen as required for up to a 25 Watt fuel cell. Several such
microreactors can be used simultaneously to generate hydrogen for fuel
cells with higher power capacities.