Fuel cell power systems are an attractive solution for future portable and stationarypower sources in many applications such as shipboard, military base, remote sites, and truckAPU. These fuel cell stacks have primarily been operated with synthetic fuels or with storedH2. It has become increasingly apparent that a lack of fueling solutions utilizing practical fuelshas limited the migration of fuel cells to field applications. In developing practical fuel cellbasedpower generators, durability of reforming systems to safely supply hydrogen in-situ andto permit stable, coke-free fuel cell stack operation via catalytic reforming of commonlyavailable fuels is crucial. The use of practical liquid fuels includes distillate fuels such as dieselor kerosene, as well as renewable fuels such as bio-fuels. Making these fuels suitable for usein the fuel cell stacks include reformation of the fuels such as to minimize higher hydrocarboncontent in the reformate to an acceptable level (depending on the fuel cell type), sulfur cleanupto 1 ppm in the reformate stream, and low parasitic losses. Additionally, water neutrality isan essential component of these systems. This requires sufficient water recovery andseparation from the anode exhaust. The ability to achieve all of these objectives requiresaccurate flow management, thermal management, and robust control algorithms.Efforts to develop and optimize practical fueling solutions for different fuel cell stackswill be discussed. These solutions include integrated reformer systems. Topics such as fuelflexibility (gaseous and liquid fuels, biofuels), sulfur tolerance (e.g., with distillate and logisticsfuels), water neutrality, BOP development (e.g., pumps, sensors, heat exchangers) and controlprotocols will be briefly reviewed. Reformer and stack performance data will be shared.Recent advances in H2 production, pre-reforming and partial oxidation approaches will also bebriefly highlighted. The goal will be to provide insights into Fuel Cell fueling initiatives andcorresponding system design approaches.
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