Compact and Efficient Logistic Fuel (CELF) Reformer

To effectively use fuel cells in military and commercial applications, diesel fuel and JP-8 need to be reformed in a compact, reliable and highly efficient reformer. Altex Technologies Corporation (Altex) and Pennsylvania State University (PSU) have identified the Compact and Efficient Logistic Fuel (CELF) Reformer that overcomes the fuel sulfur and carbon formation tendencies of logistic fuels and transforms them into a reformate suitable for SOFCs. This is achieved with a reformer that is projected to have 80-90% efficiency. The base technology for this reformer is being developed under DARPA support for a 20 watts SOFC operating on JP-8. Under the proposed Phase I program, the technology will be scaled up to a 2 KW system and the components that require testing with diesel fuel will be tested to show the feasibility of CELF to meet the DoD and the commercial market goals. This system design and testing and performance and cost evaluations will be the basis for the Phase II effort to fabricate, demonstrate and deliver a CELF/SOFC prototype system.