Post on 14-Apr-2018
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PROPANE STEAM
REFORMING FOR FUEL CELLS
By Tamika Brown
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H2
O2
H2
at s a ue e , an ow
does it work?
H2
H2
H2
H2
H2
O2
O2
O2
O2
O2
H+
H+
H2O
H2O
H2O
e- e-
Anode
Electrolyte
Cathode
O2
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device
that combines hydrogen fuel and oxygen
from air to produce electricity and water.
In a Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell,
Hydrogen ions form at the anode, and
diffuse through the electrolyte and react
with oxygen at the cathode.
Anode: H2 2H + (aq) +2e-
Cathode: O2 + 2H + (aq) + 2e-
H2O (l)
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Uses of Fuel Cells
Transportation: Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell
Anode: H2(g)2H + (aq) + 2e-
Cathode: O2 (g) + 2H+ (aq) + 2e- H2O(l)
Portable: Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
Anode: H2(g) 2H + (aq) + 2e-
Cathode: Cathode: O2 (g) + 2H+ (aq) + 2e- H2O(l)
Stationary: Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Anode: H2(g) + O2 H2O(g) + 2e-
Cathode: O2 (g) + 2e- O2
-
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Fuel Cell uses
Fuel Cell transit buses in
Chicago (Ballard Corp) Anode: H2(g) 2H + (aq) + 2e
-
Cathode: O2 (g) + 2H+ (aq) + 2e- H2O(l)
Energy Research Corp. Anode: H2(g) + 2CO3 H2O(g) + CO2(g) + 2e- Cathode: O2 (g) + CO2 + 2e
- 2CO3
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Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the most abundant element inthe universe
No known sources of gaseous hydrogen
Hydrogen generated from another energysource such as petroleum or from waterthrough electrolysis
energy (electricity) + 2 H2O -> O2 + 2 H2
SO HOW DO WE GENERATE AN ADEQUATESUPPLY OF HYDROGEN FOR FUEL CELLS . . . . .
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Fuel Processor/Reformer Reformers convert hydrocarbon fuels into hydrogen
Steam and/or oxygen along with a catalyst are needed
Carbon dioxide is a byproduct
Fuel
ProcessorFuel Cell
Stack
Spent-Gas
Burner
Thermal & Water Management
Air
Air
Fuel
H2
Exhaust
Electric
PowerConditioner
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3 Types of Reactions
*Steam Reforming: Hydrocarbon+ Steam + catalyst H2 + CO2
Partial Oxidation Reforming:
Hydrocarbon + Oxygen + catalyst H2 + CO2
Autothermal Reforming:
Hydrocarbon + Oxygen + Steam + catalyst H2 + CO2
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Why choose Steam Reforming?
Tailor to application
Ex. This particular investigation focuses onstationary uses such as power plants and
industrial plants Partial Oxidation (POx) can be tailored to
meet certain vehicle regulatory standards
Autothermal Reforming (ATR) is a thermalbalance between (POx) and SteamReforming
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What is Hydrocarbon Source?
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG),
Consists mainly of propane, propylene,
butane and butylenes in various mixtures.
In the U.S. the mixture is mainly propane.
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Why choose LPG?
LPG can be used in the home, commercial
businesses, industry, and transportation
The residential and commercial markets
where LPG is used make up about 50% of
the world total LP gas retail sales
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Fuel Processor/Reformer
1.Inlets to Reactor
a) Water Steam
b) Fuel (liquid) Vapor
c) Fuel (gas)
d) Air (POx or ATR)
e) Catalyst
2. Reactor
a) Sampling ports
3. Analytical Train
a) CO/CO2 detector
b) Mass flow indicator
CO / CO2Monitor
Chiller
0C
Drain
N.O.
to vent
N.C.
to vent
3VSol-163
RV-162
to vent
PV-164
MV-167
Dotted lines show
- - - Automatic Shutdowncomponents .
Drierite
trap
PV-161
to vent
condensate
trap
MFI-170
IF-169
PV-136
Fuel
Water
Vaporizer
N2
Furnace
CV-309
200C
750C
MFC-316
HPLC-301
HPLC-302
System Diagram
to vent
IF-148
IF-312
IF-311
SV-303
PV-304
RV-305
PV-306
CV-332
PV-333RV-331
3V-134
to vent
Condenser
Fuel
MFC-320
MFC-319
CV-323
SV-324
PV-322
Flame
Arrestor
PV-171
samplingport
Dial Pressure
Gauge
IF-147
PV-310
to vent
Air
MFC-318
N.C.
Capped
N.O.
CV-307
3VSol-308
PV-321
MFC-317 PV-320
Condensatetrap
Dark lines are heat
wrapped at 150C
MPV-330
IF-340 to 345
PV-346
From
microreactor #2
Hydrocarbon + H2O(g) + catalyst H2 + O2
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What are the Goals of
Experimentation?
Explore how operating conditions affect the
reaction kinetics
Variables: temperature, flow rates, catalyst
Data from reactor model kinetics full scalereactor design for commercial use
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Challenges of Reforming Process
Flow Rates: High efficiency is desired at faster flow rates
Waste less fuel and energy, less catalyst
Cost:
Parts can be expensive, as well as precious metal coatedcatalysts.
Catalyst: Catalyst needs to withstand impurities such as sulfur, but also
produce the most amount of hydrogen possible
Temperature: High efficiency needs to be achieved at lower temperatures
Less of a hazard, cost of parts is cheaper, and less energy isneeded to maintain system
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Challenges Continued
Response times: Dont want to have to wait periods of time for hydrogen to be
produced in order for fuel cell to start working.
Durability:
Catalyst and Reformer need to be durable Coking:
Carbon deposits in the reformer This causes clogging in the system
Interference of components in fuel mixture
Alkenes interfere with alkane reforming This is a problem for LPG, because it is not a homogenous
mixture
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Conclusion
If we switch to a hydrogen economy
More efficient than combustion
Less air pollution (NOx, SOx, COx)
Easily transportable Save money (less imports)
Fuel Reforming for Fuel Cells is an intermediary
technology for the production of hydrogen until arenewable source of energy can be discovered.
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Acknowledgments
I would like to thank John Kopasz for giving me the opportunity to participate in this and
other research projects. I would like to thank Dan Applegate for his knowledge and helpfulness. I
express sincere gratitude to Laura Miller for her patience, time, and wisdom. Last but not least, I
would like to thank the U.S. Department of Energy for giving students a change to grow
scientifically as well as professionally.
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References
What is a Fuel Cell. Fuel Cells 2000. 2 March 2004.
http://www.fuelcells.org/whatis.htm
Carter, David, Fuel Cell Power: Whats taking so long?
IPMI 25th International Precious Metals Conference, June 9-12, 2001.
Electrolysis: Obtaining hydrogen from water: The Basis for a Solar-HydrogenEconomy. 4 April 2005. http://www.nmsea.org
Chicagos Fuel Cell Buses Mobilized. Hydrogen Newsletter Winter 1998: HydrogenBuses. 4 April 2005. http://www.hydrogenus.com/advocate/ad31cta.htm
Pocket-size PEMs. Pocket-size PEMs. 4 April 2005.http://www.memagazine.org/backissues/february2000/features/pems/pems.html
Miller, Laura, Safety Review for Long Term Test Reactor CMT50-0006-EP-Rev 08NEPA Document ER-281. February 17, 2005 pp. 1-15.
Laura, Miller, Science Careers in Search of Women Conference. March 10, 2005.
What is Propane? Alternative Fuels Data Center: What is Propane? 23 March2005. http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/altfuel/whatisprop.html.
What is LP Gas? World LP Gas Association. 29 March 2005.http://www.worldpgas.com/mainpages/aboutpgas/whatislpgas.php.
http://www.fuelcells.org/whatis.htmhttp://www.fuelcells.org/whatis.htmhttp://www.nmsea.org/http://www.hydrogenus.com/advocate/ad31cta.htmhttp://www.hydrogenus.com/advocate/ad31cta.htmhttp://www.memagazine.org/backissues/february2000/features/pems/pems.htmlhttp://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/altfuel/whatisprop.htmlhttp://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/altfuel/whatisprop.htmlhttp://www.worldpgas.com/mainpages/aboutpgas/whatislpgas.phphttp://www.worldpgas.com/mainpages/aboutpgas/whatislpgas.phphttp://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/altfuel/whatisprop.htmlhttp://www.memagazine.org/backissues/february2000/features/pems/pems.htmlhttp://www.hydrogenus.com/advocate/ad31cta.htmhttp://www.nmsea.org/http://www.fuelcells.org/whatis.htmhttp://www.fuelcells.org/whatis.htm