MINIATURE HYDROGEN GENERATOR.
Abstract
An investigation was made of the feasibility of developing portable generators capable of producing sufficient hydrogen by thermal cracking of field available liquid hydrocarbon fuels to operate hydrogen-air fuel cells in the 10- to 200-watt power range. Experiments with JP-4 fuel-fired thermal cracking hydrogen generators indicate that interior baffle location and design strongly influences the hydrogen content of the product and the operating time before plugging. Operating time limitation may result from blockage either by the carbon laid down by the primary decomposition of the JP-4 at temperatures below 900C or by the carbon formed at temperatures above 1000-1100C when the methane by-product cracks. Operation of an alkaline fuel cell on the hydrogen-methane thermal cracking product indicates no adverse affect other than a slight lowering of the potential due to dilution of the hydrogen. Use of steel wool in the reactor has very effectively removed any sulfur in the product stream. Preliminary efforts at burner development have led to a very much quieter, more efficient burner unit than that utilized initially. Operation of the tube-furnace reactor at a pressure of two atmospheres showed no significant influence of the increased contact time resulting therefrom. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0633246
Entities
People
- J. E. Rothfleisch
- Lawrence M. Litz