The activity of catalysts used in promoting the oxidation of certain oxidizable
species in fluids can be enhanced via electrochemical methods, e.g., NEMCA. In
particular, the activity of catalysts used in the selective oxidation of carbon
monoxide can be enhanced. A purification system that exploits this effect is useful
in purifying reformate supplied as fuel to a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell
stack. The purification system comprises an electrolytic cell with fluid diffusion
electrodes. The activity of catalyst incorporated in the cell anode is enhanced.
