Exhaust Management Module EMM

Since H2 is reactive, it can be consumed through chemical reactions. A reactor is the major component of an EMM. In order to aid the chemical reaction of H2, some noble metal catalysts can be used. A good reactor should allow the H2 to react quickly and thoroughly at a reasonably low temperature. If the reaction temperature is too high, the materials cost will be high, and the lifetime of the reactor can be shortened. The purging frequency can be as short as 10 sec, which demands that the reactor should be able to offer a complete H2 reaction in about 10 sec. 

The reaction rate will be in proportion to the total surface area of the catalysts in the reactor. The total surface area is very likely to become smaller during the use of the reactor because catalyst particles tend to aggregate, especially at high temperatures. It may be better to use porous ceramic with the catalyst deposited onto the surface of the pores as a thin layer with a thickness of a few atoms. 

Picture of a catalytic reactor for anode exhaust management. Courtesy of Beijing Jonton 

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