Nippon Oil has unveiled a new kerosene fuel cell which uses a ruthenium-based catalyst to provide higher hydrogen yield.

The company has shown off its new prototype fuel cell at the Fuel Cell Seminar 2006 and has developed a new approach to fuel cells by basing the production of hydrogen on kerosene.

As kerosene has a longer hydrocarbon chain than natural gas, steam reformation rate is lower, requiring the reforming temperature to be higher.

Nippon has therefore been using a ruthenium-based catalyst at this higher temperature to produce higher yields of hydrogen, reports Fuel Cell Today.

The ruthenium-based catalyst is able to deliver higher hydrogen yields in the 500 to 600°C range.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd