| Objective: | Research and develop a fuel reformer with multi-fuel capability, able to produce fuel cell quality hydrogen from JP-8 logistical fuel or methane natural gas, as a minimum, and other hydrocarbons.
| Description: | Concurrent with the development of fuel cell technology the reformer technologies necessary for producing hydrogen from methane gas and kerosene based JP-8 logistical fuel have been progressing. Reformers capable of producing fuel cell quality hydrogen using JP-8 have been developed as well as reformers which utilize methane natural gas as feedstock. Due to the requirement to reduce petroleum usage and pollution levels during peacetime, the Air Force has a need for a single reformer capable of utilizing both feed-stocks. While stateside, operation would utilize pipeline municipal natural gas, and during deployments, JP-8, the NATO single fuel for the battlefield, would be used. Furthermore, a true multi-fuel capability would be advantageous enabling the forces to utilize available host nation fuels.
| | PHASE I: Research and develop designs, evaluating feasibility and identify technical issues for a multi-fuel reformer. Performance goals would include conversion of 70 % of the methane and JP-8 bound hydrogen to hydrogen gas suitable for direct use, or, with clean-up, use in a PEM type fuel cell. Provide sufficient data and analysis to indicate minimum risk for continuation to Phase II.
| | | PHASE II: Develop, demonstrate performance and deliver to the Air Force a prototype multi-fuel reformer for incorporation into an Air Force PEM fuel cell demonstration application.
DUEL USE COMMERCIALIZATION: A multi-fuel reformer would be useful in the commercial market enabling the consumer to utilize whatever fuel type was available in the city or remote locations.
| References: | ttp://www.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/fuelcells/annual_review2002.html
Proceedings of the 4th Department of Defense, Logistic Fuel Reforming Conference, Oct 22, 2003. Philadelphia, PA.
| | Keywords: | Reformer, Hydrogen, Fuel cell, Methane, JP-8, Catalyst |