Fuel processing requirements and techniques for fuel cell propulsion power

Conference · Sun Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993

OSTI ID:10183228

Kumar, R; Ahmed, S; Yu, M

Fuels for fuel cells in transportation systems are likely to be methanol, natural gas, hydrogen, propane, or ethanol. Fuels other than hydrogen wig need to be reformed to hydrogen on-board the vehicle. The fuel reformer must meet stringent requirements for weight and volume, product quality, and transient operation. It must be compact and lightweight, must produce low levels of CO and other byproducts, and must have rapid start-up and good dynamic response. Catalytic steam reforming, catalytic or noncatalytic partial oxidation reforming, or some combination of these processes may be used. This paper discusses salient features of the different kinds of reformers and describes the catalysts and processes being examined for the oxidation reforming of methanol and the steam reforming of ethanol. Effective catalysts and reaction conditions for the former have been identified; promising catalysts and reaction conditions for the latter are being investigated.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 10183228
• Report Number(s): ANL/CMT/CP--79776; CONF-930802--9; ON: DE93019516
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300404
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330300
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400201
APPLICATIONS
CATALYSTS
CATALYTIC REFORMING
CHEMICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COPPER ALLOYS
ELECTRIC-POWERED SYSTEMS
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
FUEL SUPPLIES
FUELS
HYDROGEN
HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS
METHANOL
NICKEL BASE ALLOYS
OXIDATION
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
STEAM REFORMER PROCESSES
STORAGE
ZINC OXIDES