Parametric Analyses of 1.5-kW Methanol Fuel Cell Power Plant Designs.

Abstract

In recent years, spurred by the changing availability of petroleum fuels, the Army has begun to investigate the use of alternative fuels such as methanol. Under its SLEEP(Silent Lightweight Electric Energy Plants) program, MERADCOM has sponsored a design investigation to determine the viability of a methanol-fueled 1.5-kW fuel cell power plant for field service. The design is based on a low-temperature reformer and a commercial phosphoric-acid-technology fuel cell stack. Comparison of predicted power plant characteristics with goal Purchase Description Requirements shows that the concept has sufficient potential to be pursued further. Experimental work shows commercial-methanol fuels containing higher alcohols may be suitable fuels for this power plant. Additional experimental work and system analysis are needed to finalize reformer and power plant operating conditions and characteristics.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 19, 1978
Accession Number
ADA055900

Entities

People

  • A. P. Meyer
  • G. Vartanian
  • J. A. S. Bett
  • R. A. Sederquist

Organizations

  • United Technologies Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alcohol Fuels
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Chemistry
  • Control Systems
  • Databases
  • Energy
  • Fuel Cells
  • Fuel Consumption
  • Fuels
  • Heat Transfer
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Phosphoric Acids
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Temperature Control
  • Voltage Regulators

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Petroleum Engineering
  • Software Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology