Fuel processing systems

Most fuel cells involve electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen on the anode. There are only few examples of direct conversion of other fuels on the anode. In high-temperature fuel cells, it is possible to convert the fuel to hydrogen inside the cell utilising the heat from the electrochemical reaction [411], but otherwise it is necessary to convert the primary fuel outside the stack into a hydrogen-rich gas which is fed 

The layout of the fuel processing system depends on the type of fuel cell as summarised in Table 2.5. 

For small-scale units (about 10—50 kW), for instance providing hydrogen for automotive fuel cells, the choice of technology is dictated by parameters such as simplicity and quick response to transients. 

The catalytie process steps may appear trivial, but it is a challenge that most units must have simple start-up and shutdown procedures allowing exposure of the hot catalysts to air. This has resulted in the development of noble metal catalyst for most of the steps. 

The reformer is the key element of the fuel processing system. The special requirements have led to new concepts for steam reforming and partial oxidation [282] [488]. One example is micro-channel reactors 

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One of these will be operated on diesel in the year 2000 for a fuel cell client. The catalyst in this ATR unit is capable of operation with the sulfur in diesel (under 200 ppmw sulfur in the liquid phase). Based on this ATR technology, HBT developed a <10 kWe fuel processing system directed at the stationary market. The first group of twenty pre-production units is being built for evaluation by fuel cell developers during late 2000 and early 2001. 

Development of PEM stack and components (1-5 kW). Activity cost 0.6 million. Partner Arcotronics Fuel Cells. Construction of a 1 kW stack with novel solutions and low cost development of a fuel processing system. Partner ENEA, Arcotronics Fuel Cells, Research Institutions. Systems development of key components (fuel processing systems, controlling systems, auxiliaries) construction of prototypes and testing. Budget 2.88 million. Partners ENEA, Arcotronics Fuel Cells, Universities and CNR. 

Emonts, B., Hansen, J. B., Grube, T., Hohlein, B., Peters, R., Schmidt, H., Stolten, D., Tschauder, A., Operational experience with the fuel processing system for fuel cell drives, J. Power Sources 2002, 106, 333-337. 

R 20] The fuel processing system consists of a fuel evaporator, a reformer, a reactor for the preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide and a catalytic burner (Figure 4.48) [95],... 

Recently, a completely new approach to the design of HTSR furnaces was placed in pilot plant operation based on process and mechanical design developments by United Technologies Corporation (UTC). This new reformer will be part of the fuels processing system in an electric power installation designed to produce 4.8 MW for the Consolidated Edison Company in... 

Kinetics Technology International Corporation, December 1978. "Assessment of Fuel Processing Systems for Dispersed Fuel Cell Power Plants", prepared for Electric Power Research Institute,... 

Jensen, J., Li, Q., He, R., Xiao, G., Gao, J-A., Bjerrum, N. (2004). High temperature polymer fuel cells and their interplay with fuel processing systems. In "Hydrogen Power - Theoretical and Engineering Solutions, Proc. Hypothesis V, Porto Conte 2003" (Marini, M., Spazzafumo, G., eds.), pp. 675-683. Servizi Grafici... 

Fukunaga, T., Katsuno, H., Matsumoto, H., Takahashi, O., and Akai, Y. Development of kerosene fuel processing system for PEFC. Catalysis Today, 2003, 84 (3-4), 197. 

Edlund, D.J. and Pledger, W.A. Hydrogen producing fuel processing system. U.S. Patent 6,221,117, April 24, 2001. 

Fig. 12 An integrated fuel processing system from Holladay et al. (From Ref. . )...

Moreover, the presence of 1% CO in the hydrogen causes major problems in Pt-based fuel cells because Pt is poisoned by CO at the operating temperatures of the fuel cell. Current commercial fuel processing systems rely on a subsequent CO clean-up system based on the reaction ... 

Although focused on gasoline operation, the fuel processing system will utilize fuel-flexible reforming technology that can be modified to accommodate fuels such as methanol, ethanol and natural gas... 

Delivered and tested a 50 kW-equivalent gasoline fuel processing system... 

UTCFC will deliver to DOE a 50 kW-equivalent gasoline fuel processing system, a 50 kW PEM power plant, and a 75 kW advanced PEM power plant. 

Develop a compact, steam reformation-based fuel processing system for the onboard reformation of hydrocarbon fuels that meets FreedomCAR performance targets for energy density, efficiency, residual CO content, durability, rapid start-up, and transient response. 

The proper design of fuel reformer systems must pay careful attention to the minimization of carbon monoxide before the processed fuel stream enters the fuel cell stack. Many reformer systems use a secondary preferential oxidation reactor that selectively oxidizes the carbon monoxide present in reformate streams. In most transportation applications the steam reformer and the selective oxidation reactors do not operate under steady state conditions large transients may occur which produce relatively large amounts of carbon monoxide. It is highly desirable to have a low-cost real-time carbon monoxide measurement system that provides feedback control to the fuel processing system in order to protect the PEM fuel cells from performance degrading concentrations of carbon monoxide. 

FPS Fuel Processing System H4Ge4SjQ XH2S Tetrahydrogen Tetragermanium... 

Fuel processing system. (Flong, J., Schwartz, R., Baukal, C., and Fleifil, M., Flare Test Facility Ready for the Challenge, presented at the John Zink International Flare Symposium, Tulsa, OK, June 11-12, 2003.)... 

Therefore, fuel cell power plant system level models, detailed component models, and their analysis are needed to determine the performance targets for the WGSMR, subject to the power plant cost, weight and performance targets set by the Department of Energy (DOE), USA, for future automotive applications with an on-board fuel processing system as shown in Table 14.1 [7]. Keeping these criteria in mind, the fuel cell power plant must now be considered. 

Fig. 14.3 Schematic of simphfled fuel processing system with a WGSMR...

D. J. Edlund, C. R. Hill, W. A. Pledger, R. T. Studebaker, Hydrogen purification devices, components and fuel processing systems containing the same,... 

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