Development of single-cell partial oxidative reformer/solid oxide fuel cell

There is strong demand to develop and increase the use of electric aircraft in future military and aviation applications. All electric aircraft concepts and aircraft maintenances require reliable, compact, and efficient electric power sources. Fuel cell electric generator using JP-8 fuel is identified as the electric power source of choice. Current designs of the fuel cell systems have two major subsystems: a fuel cell itself and fuel processor that extracts clean hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide from JP-8 fuel. These fuel cell systems are unable to meet the requirements on compactness, efficiency, and compatibility. New Span Opto-Technology Inc. teaming with the fuel cell group of Dept. of Hemispheric Center for Environmental Technology of the Florida International University hereby proposes to develop an innovative single-cell catalytic partial oxidative reformer (CPOR) /solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system. The concept integrates a burner, electrochemical promotion section for partial oxidative reforming, and tubular SOFCs in a single reaction chamber. Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed concept. Phase II will develop a working fuel cell prototype system.