Demonstration of SOFC Operation on JP-8 Reformate Produced by a Cold Plasma Process

Ceramatec Inc. and Synergy Technologies Corporation have teamed to demonstrate Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC)operation on JP-8 reformate produced using a cold plasma process. SOFC stacks, installed in a test stand originally designed for use with a thermallyintegrated natural gas steam reformer, will be fueled instead with JP-8 reformate produced through a cold plasma process. The patented SynGen cold plasma reformer which operates on the GlidArc plasma physics principle was developed by Synergy Technologiesof Conroe Texas. This reformer has shown the ability to reform diesel fuel using an electric power input to only 2% of the heating value of the fuel. SOFC stacks will incorporate advances in cell and interconnect technology currently being developed underDepartment of Energy funding. Compatibility of SOFC stacks on cold plasma processed JP-8 will be demonstrated and opportunities for thermal, process and physical integration of the components will be identified for future development. This technology willextend the many benefits of fuel cells to applications currently served by a diesel or JP-8 fuel infrastructure, both within the Department of Defense as well as many other remote and mobile markets currently served by diesel gensets. An advanced portableauxiliary power unit combining a cold plasma reformer and a solid oxide fuel cell provides an ideal solution to the need for a compact, efficient, clean and silent power system operating on defense logistics fuels. Similar units supplying auxiliary powerto Class 8 highway trucks would save millions of gallons of fuel currently being used to supply power by idling road engines.