Conversion of hydrocarbons for fuel-cell applications. Part I. Autothermal reforming of sulfur-free and sulfur-containing hydrocarbon liquids. Part II. Steam reforming of n-hexane on pellet and monolithic catalyst beds. Final report
Experimental autothermal reforming (ATR) results obtained in the previous phase of this work with sulfur-free pure hydrocarbon liquids are summarized. Catalyst types and configuration used were the same as in earlier tests with No. 2 fuel oil to facilitate comparisons. Fuel oil has been found to form carbon in ATR at conditions much milder than those predicted by equilibrium. Reactive differences between paraffins and aromatics in ATR, and thus the formation of different carbon precursors, have been shown to be responsible for the observed carbon formation characteristics (fuel-specific). From tests with both light and heavy paraffins and aromatics, it is concluded that high boiling point hydrocarbons and polynuclear aromatics enhance the propensity for carbon formation in ATR. Effects of olefin (propylene) addition on the ATR performance of benzene are described. In ATR tests with mixtures of paraffins and aromatics (n-tetradecane and benzene) synergistic effects on conversion characteristics were identified. Comparisons of the No. 2 fuel oil data with the experimental results from this work with pure (and mixed) sulfur-free hydrocarbons indicate that the sulfur content of the fuel may be the limiting factor for efficient ATR operation. Steam reforming of hydrocarbons in conventional reformers is heat transfer limited. Steam reforming tasks performed have included performance comparisons between conventional pellet beds and honeycomb monolith catalysts. Metal-supported monoliths offer higher structural stability than ceramic supports, and have a higher thermal conductivity. Data from two metal monoliths of different catalyst (nickel) loading were compared to pellets under the same operating conditions.
- Research Organization:
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Pasadena, CA (USA); Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasadena, CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AI02-78ET11326
- OSTI ID:
- 5358644
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ET/11326-1; JPL-PUB-82-37; ON: DE82016732
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of document are illegible
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS
HYDROGEN GENERATORS
DESIGN
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
AUTOTHERMAL REFORMER PROCESSES
STEAM REFORMER PROCESSES
CATALYSTS
HEXANE
HYDROCARBONS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SULFUR CONTENT
THIOPHENE
ALKANES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
FUEL CELLS
GAS GENERATORS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
REFORMER PROCESSES
080103* - Hydrogen- Production- Steam Reformer Processes
300503 - Fuel Cells- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries