Hexaaluminate Combustion Catalysts for Fuel Cell Fuel Reformers
Abstract
Fuel cells may offer significant advantages over conventional diesel generator sets for mobile military electric power applications. Fuel cells can provide quiet, flexible, and fuel-efficient operation, making them suitable for use in "stealth" vehicles or quiet portable power systems. A key requirement for the deployment of fuel cells is the conversion of logistics fuels into hydrogen. Logistics fuels can be converted into hydrogen through steam reforming -- a reaction which requires heat input. When heat is produced by combustion of logistics fuel in an open-flame or radiant burner, the rate of hydrogen production in the steam reforming reactor is generally limited by the rate of heat transfer from the burner. The rate of heat transfer from the burner into the reforming catalyst bed is limited by wall film and bed resistances. Catalytic combustion of logistics fuel can increase the heat transfer rate by eliminating these resistances. Fuel combustion can be carried out using a catalyst coated on a thin metal channel wall, with steam reforming catalyst coated on the other side of the wall. In this way heat is transferred by conduction directly from the source to the sink, allowing for faster hydrogen production in a more compact catalytic reactor. This approach, however, requires the development of active, stable combustion catalysts that can be coated directly onto metal supports.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA479481
Entities
People
- Aly H. Shaaban
- Frank H. Holcomb
- Fred S. Thomas
- James Knight
- Michael J. Binder
- Timothy J. Campbell
Organizations
- Applied Research Associates (United States)