Canola Oil Fuel Cell Demonstration: Volume 3 - Technical, Commercialization, and Application Issues Associated with Harvested Biomass

摘要

This study evaluated the use of Montana-based oilseed crops (canola oil) for power generation in defense and civilian fuel cell applications. Three major fuel production operations were considered: (1) recovery of oil from the harvested vegetable crop, (2) conversion of the vegetable oil into its biodiesel corollary, and (3) reforming the biodiesel into a synthesis gas. The study explored areas for potential improvements in the cost or technical performance in these major operations. Various commercialization pathways for agriculturally derived fuels were evaluated, with an emphasis on dual use opportunities. This work identified potential commercial and military applications for small, remote power generation systems, including fuel cells, which operate using those agriculturally derived fuels. This report documents barriers to commercialization that must be overcome, potential resolutions to those barriers, and stimuli for commercialization that can effectively advance the interests of key Department of Defense and Montana stakeholders in using Montana-based vegetable oil crops for remote power generation.