Low Cost, Compact Plasma Fuel Reformer for APUs

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) auxiliary power units (APUs) in the 1¿5 kWe range represent a significant market entry point for fuel cells, and have the capability of reducing fuel consumption of idling trucks by nearly half a billion gallons of diesel per year (along with a corresponding reduction in NOx and PM emissions). However, one of the market barriers to the introduction of SOFC APUs is the current lack of a diesel reformer capable of being manufactured in large volumes. The diesel reformer must produce high quality SOFC reformate in a compact, simple and robust package. This project will build upon a plasma-assisted, partial oxidation reformer design, which will be capable of meeting all DOE requirements for a SOFC APU reformer. A leading ($8 billion) automotive and commercial vehicle system provider, which also has experience in fuel reformers, will be a partner on the project. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: Future markets for the fuel reformer include military APUs, other APUs of different scales and industries (e.g., aircraft APU) as well as SOFC-based applications. In any application where a diesel reformer/SOFC can be substituted for an internal combustion engine, the high efficiency of the combined system is likely to significantly reduce emissions, fuel consumption, noise, and size.