PROPANE STEAM REFORMING FOR FUEL CELLS

By Tamika Brown

A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen fuel and oxygen from air to produce electricity and water.

What is a Fuel Cell, and how does it work?

eH2 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 H+ H2 H+

In a Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell, Hydrogen ions form at the anode, and diffuse through the electrolyte and react with oxygen at the cathode.

eO2 H2 O O 2 O2 O2 O2 H2 O O2 O2 H2 O

Anode: H2 2H + (aq) Cathode: O2 + 2H + (aq) + 2e- H2O (l)

+2e-

Anode

Cathode Electrolyte

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-

Stationary:

Cathode: Cathode: O2 (g) + 2H+ (aq) + 2e- H2O(l)

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Anode: H2(g) + O2 H2O(g) + 2e Cathode: O2 (g) + 2e- O2-

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

Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe No known sources of gaseous hydrogen Hydrogen generated from another energy source such as petroleum or from water through electrolysis
energy (electricity) + 2 H2O -> O2 + 2 H2
SO HOW DO WE GENERATE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF HYDROGEN FOR FUEL CELLS . . . . .

Fuel Processor/Reformer
Reformers convert hydrocarbon fuels into hydrogen Steam and/or oxygen along with a catalyst are needed Carbon dioxide is a byproduct
Electric Power Conditioner
Exhaust

Air
Fuel
Fuel Processor

Air

Fuel Cell Stack H2

Spent-Gas Burner

Thermal & Water Management

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

Why choose Steam Reforming?

Tailor to application
Ex. This particular investigation focuses on stationary 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 thermal balance between (POx) and Steam Reforming

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.

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

Fuel Processor/Reformer
Hydrocarbon + H2O(g) + catalyst H2 + O2
Fuel
HPLC-301

System Diagram
Dial Pressure Gauge to vent condensate trap to vent

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

IF-311

RV-305 3VSol-308 PV-306 N.C. CV-307 N.O. Capped PV-322 MFC-318 PV-321 MFC-317 PV-320

SV-303 MFC-316 CV-309 200C PV-310 PV-304

Water
HPLC-302

Vaporizer
CV-323 IF-312

750C Air

Furnace

MPV-330

CV-332 IF-340 to 345

N2
3V-134 PV-346 MFC-319

From microreactor #2

to vent
RV-331 SV-324 Flame Arrestor MFC-320

to vent
PV-333

Condensate trap

Fuel to vent
sampling port RV-162 IF-147 N.C. PV-164 Drierite trap 3VSol-163 N.O. PV-161

PV-171

Condenser

MV-167

to vent

Dotted lines show - - - Automatic Shutdown components .

IF-148

PV-136

Chiller 0C

Drain

IF-169

Dark lines are heat wrapped at 150C

CO / CO2 Monitor
MFI-170

to vent

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 scale reactor design for commercial use

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 coated catalysts.

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 is needed to maintain system

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

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 a renewable source of energy can be discovered.

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.

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-Hydrogen Economy. 4 April 2005. http://www.nmsea.org Chicagos Fuel Cell Buses Mobilized. Hydrogen Newsletter Winter 1998: Hydrogen Buses. 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 08 NEPA 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 March 2005. 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.