Development of a Soldier-Portable Fuel Cell Power System, Part I: A Bread-Board Methanol Fuel Processor
A 15-We portable power system is being developed for the US Army, comprised of a hydrogen-generating fuel reformer coupled to a hydrogen-converting fuel cell. As a first phase of this project, a methanol steam reformer system was developed and demonstrated. The reformer system included a combustor, two vaporizers, and a steam-reforming reactor. The device was demonstrated as a thermally independent unit over the range of 14 to 80 Wt output. Assuming a 14-day mission life and an ultimate 1-kg fuel processor/fuel cell assembly, a base case was chosen to illustrate the expected system performance. Operating at 13 We, the system yielded a fuel processor efficiency of 45% (LHV of H2 out/LHV of fuel in) and an estimated net efficiency of 22% (assuming a fuel cell efficiency of 48%). The resulting energy density of 720 W-hr/kg is several times the energy density of the best lithium-ion batteries. Some immediate areas of improvement in thermal management also have been identified and an integrated fuel processor is under development. The final system will be a hybrid, containing a fuel reformer, fuel cell, and rechargeable battery. The battery will provide power for startup and added capacity for times of peak power demand.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 902058
- Report Number(s):
- PNWD-SA-5518; JPSODZ; TRN: US200716%%608
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Power Sources, 108(1-2):28-34, Vol. 108, Issue 1-2; ISSN 0378-7753
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
CAPACITY
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY DENSITY
FUEL CELLS
MANAGEMENT
METHANOL
METHANOL FUELS
PEAK LOAD
PERFORMANCE
POWER SYSTEMS
STEAM
steam reforming of methanol
fuel cell systems
portable power
hydrogen production
micro-reactor technology