Fuel Processor Hardware Components For Deployable Fuel Cell Power Generation

The objectives for this SBIR Phase I study are to establish feasibility for deployable logistic-fuel processor to produce a clean hydrogen gas (sulfur free) from JP-8 fuel. The processor is a portable laboratory or beta-site (off-site) non-thermal plasma (NTP) cell. The portable NTP cell is believed capable of hydrogen gas extraction from logistic-fuels such as gasoline, diesel, JP-8 and petroleum refinery products. In a NTP plasma environment, dissociation of the JP-8 fuel molecules acts to produce a hydrogen reformate stream. The hydrocarbon feed molecules are reduced to their elemental states resulting in an effluent containing hydrogen gas and various C, S and metallic particulates. The hydrogen effluent is processed for removal of contaminates by recycling the effluent via a closed loop to the NTP cell for increased residence. To achieve ultra pure hydrogen (UPH) for fuel cell application, furthur processing, as needed, will be chemically and/or Ag/Pd Membrane Diffusion cell processed, as needed. The UPH stream is charged to an auxiliary portable SOFC (Solid Oxide) or a PEM (Polymeric Electrostatic Membrane) fuel cell deployable power unit. The Phase I Targeted objectives are focused on demonstrating feasibility for hydrogen extraction from JP-8 logistic-fuel in a compact, efficient and compatibility non-thermal (NTP) plasma cell. As currently configured, the Pioneer Industrial Technologies Co. has designed and patented state-of-the-art arc barrier discharge systems (DBD) for portable NTP units of various sizes. Pioneer's recent tests have indicated that, in the presence of gas feed-stocks, a higher order of the combustion chain is being formed. When in the presence of hydrocarbons, reformed hydrogen gas will be separated from contaminates and processed for fuel cell application. MACH I, Inc. plans to partner with Pioneer Technologies. A fuel cell company (Power & Energy Corp.) has expressed interest in working with MACH I, Inc. on the necessary steps to achieve ultra pure hydrogen (UPH) gas for fuel cell application. For a portable in-situ beta-site hydrogen generation-fuel cell capability, a Phase II development will optimize conversion efficiencies and prepare a design scale-up to 10 kW levels and commercial proto-type portable off-site (beta) for field demonstration suitable to meet AF operating parameters for Phase III commercialization.