Multi-fuel reformers for fuel cells used in transportation. Multi-fuel reformers: Phase 1 -- Final report
DOE has established the goal, through the Fuel Cells in Transportation Program, of fostering the rapid development and commercialization of fuel cells as economic competitors for the internal combustion engine. Central to this goal is a safe feasible means of supplying hydrogen of the required purity to the vehicular fuel cell system. Two basic strategies are being considered: (1) on-board fuel processing whereby alternative fuels such as methanol, ethanol or natural gas stored on the vehicle undergo reformation and subsequent processing to produce hydrogen, and (2) on-board storage of pure hydrogen provided by stationary fuel processing plants. This report analyzes fuel processor technologies, types of fuel and fuel cell options for on-board reformation. As the Phase 1 of a multi-phased program to develop a prototype multi-fuel reformer system for a fuel cell powered vehicle, the objective of this program was to evaluate the feasibility of a multi-fuel reformer concept and to select a reforming technology for further development in the Phase 2 program, with the ultimate goal of integration with a DOE-designated fuel cell and vehicle configuration. The basic reformer processes examined in this study included catalytic steam reforming (SR), non-catalytic partial oxidation (POX) and catalytic partial oxidation (also known as Autothermal Reforming, or ATR). Fuels under consideration in this study included methanol, ethanol, and natural gas. A systematic evaluation of reforming technologies, fuels, and transportation fuel cell applications was conducted for the purpose of selecting a suitable multi-fuel processor for further development and demonstration in a transportation application.
- Research Organization:
- Little (Arthur D.), Inc., Cambridge, MA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-92CE50343
- OSTI ID:
- 10105401
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/CE/50343-2; ON: DE95004215; BR: EE5302000; TRN: AHC29503%%14
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: May 1994
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Hydrogen as a fuel for fuel cell vehicles: A technical and economic comparison
Partial oxidation fuel reforming for automotive power systems.
Related Subjects
08 HYDROGEN
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS
REFORMER PROCESSES
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
STEAM REFORMER PROCESSES
PARTIAL OXIDATION PROCESSES
AUTOTHERMAL REFORMER PROCESSES
METHANOL
NATURAL GAS
PROGRESS REPORT
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
ACID ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELLS
SOLID ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELLS
PHOSPHORIC ACID
MEMBRANES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
THERMODYNAMICS
EFFICIENCY
FLOWSHEETS
DATA
300503
080103
080109
330300
MATERIALS, COMPONENTS, AND AUXILIARIES
ELECTRIC-POWERED SYSTEMS