Practical, Water Neutral, Sulfur-tolerant Reformers for Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Generation

摘要

Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) continues to develop integrated reformer systems that are fuel flexible and sulfur tolerant for efficient H2 or syngas production, while operating at water neutral conditions. Three catalytic reforming technologies, namely autothermal reforming (ATR), catalytic waterless partial oxidation (dry CPOX), and catalytic steam reforming (CSR) are being developed and optimized for various applications. This paper will focus on the development and maturation of the ATR system and CSR reactor. In the ATR system development, water neutral operation (via condensation and anode recycle) was rigorously demonstrated. The reformer utilizes a limited amount of water that can be recovered from the integrated system exhaust, while continuously producing H2 with complete fuel conversion and reforming efficiency of -85% (ratio of lower heating values of reformate to fuel) with minimal higher hydrocarbons slippage. Performance data relating to transient (startup, shutdown, load changes) and steady state system operation will be presented. Tradeoffs between the two approaches will be highlighted. Issues relating to water quality and contaminant buildup will be shown. Additionally, the development of robust control strategy, with required balance-of-plant system components, will be discussed. Results when operating the reformer using various fuels (e.g., diesel, JP-8, and synfuels) will be presented. Overall reformer and fuel cell integration aspects will be discussed via data obtained from reformer + fuel cell testing. Operation with various fuels, e.g. JP-8 (containing up to 500 ppm sulfur), diesel, bio-diesel blends, natural gas and propane will be presented.