Performance Evaluation of a Catalytic Partial Oxidation Hydrogen Generator Using Turbine Engine Fuels.

摘要

Operation of a catalytic partial oxidation reactor under simulated turbine engine idle power air state conditions, using a conventional aviation turbine fuel (JP-5) and an unconventional fuel (blend of JP-5/xylene), is shown to produce a 'fuel gas' stream of near theoretical equilibrium composition at very fuel-rich A/F ratios in the range of 5.0-5.6. The combustibles in the fuel gas comprise about 6% H2 and 93% CO by mass and therefore the fuel gas exhibits superior lean-burning qualities relative to the fuel gas exhibits superior lean-burning qualities relative to the fuel feed stock. The concept of using the very fuel-rich partial oxidation process as a first stage of a two-stage combustion system for onboard processing of broadened specification fuels to improve their combustion characteristics is discussed. For the nonoptimal reactor design used, excessive catalyst bed temperatures and a propensity for solid carbon deposition in the bed were observed. These phenomena are not fully understood and need further elucidation. Thermal reactor schemes (without catalysts) may be more advantageously applied to aviation turbine engines but these schemes also require additional investigation to delineate design requirements. (Author)