Parametric analyses of 1. 5-kW methanol fuel cell power plant designs. Final technical report September 1977--March 1978

Technical Report · Fri May 19 04:00:00 EDT 1978

OSTI ID:6346798

Meyer, A P; Bett, J A.S.; Sederquist, R A; Vartanian, G

In recent years, spurred by the changing availability of petroleum fuels, the Army has begun to investigate the use of alternative fuels such as methanol. Under its SLEEP(Silent Lightweight Electric Energy Plants) program, MERADCOM has sponsored a design investigation to determine the viability of a methanol-fueled 1.5-kW fuel cell power plant for field service. The design is based on a low-temperature reformer and a commercial phosphoric-acid-technology fuel cell stack. Comparison of predicted power plant characteristics with goal Purchase Description Requirements shows that the concept has sufficient potential to be pursued further. Experimental work shows commercial-methanol fuels containing higher alcohols may be suitable fuels for this power plant. Additional experimental work and system analysis are needed to finalize reformer and power plant operating conditions and characteristics.

• Research Organization: United Technologies Corp., South Windsor, CT (USA). Power Systems Div.
• OSTI ID: 6346798
• Report Number(s): AD-A-055900; PSD/UTC-FCR-0883
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300501* -- Fuel Cells-- Design & Development
ACID ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELLS
ALCOHOL FUEL CELLS
ALCOHOLS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
FUEL CELLS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
METHANOL
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORIC ACID
POWER RANGE 1-10 KW
REFORMER PROCESSES
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS