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from:
2010 ANNUAL REPORT  
SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM
Hydrogen Separation from a Logistic Fuel Reformate Stream
(N05-040)
Need: Fuel cell systems are
developing into a viable option for tactical and distributed power generation onboard Navy ships. However, fuel cells typically require
hydrogen rich fuel with very low sulfur content to
prevent performance degradation. Navy logistic fuels can contain up to 0.5% (by weight) sulfur which is beyond the tolerance levels.
Current sulfur removal technology typically
increases the size and complexity of the fuel reforming system which adds to the overall cost and
maintenance.
A hydrogen separation membrane
of sufficient permeability that is immune to sulfur concentrations in logistic fuels would simplify the desulfurization process
and save significant cost, space and maintenance for
a military fuel-to-hydrogen generation process.
Technology Development: The Power &
Energy (P&E) palladium membrane technology separates pure hydrogen from a reformate
stream originating from a fuel reformation process. The pure hydrogen is used to power a
Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell system for electricity generation at many power
levels and applications. Because the reformer is fed sulfur-containing logistic fuel, P&E
has developed highly sulfur tolerant separation modules. Hydrogen flux rates approaching that
of industry standard Palladium-Silver (PdAg) are achieved with a Palladium-Copper (PdCu)
alloy material operated at high temperature, which can be drawn to a slightly thinner wall
thickness. The PdCu alloy exhibits a high degree of sulfur tolerance consistent with recent
DOE studies. Membrane module housing materials were investigated regarding sulfur corrosion
and compared with studies from the oil refinery industry. Empirical as well as reaction
chemistry based metal-sulfide formation data is available for palladium, copper and different
steels providing the temperature and Hydrogen Sulfide/Hydrogen (H2S/H2) ratios below which
corrosion is absent. P&E is designing sulfur resistant hydrogen separation modules with
conditions for good sulfur tolerance and high H2 flux rates. The P&E separation modules
confine the reformer stream in a micro channel between the membrane and a wall which are made
from materials with catalytic properties. Such wall-catalyzed membrane reactors have been
investigated for the Water-Gas Shift (WGS) reaction that converts carbon monoxide into carbon
dioxide to increase overall hydrogen production. The underlying scalable manufacturing
technology currently used for P&E’s commercial PdAg hydrogen purifiers is basically the
same for PdCu separators and WGS membrane reactors.
Technology
Transition: Currently, ongoing transition
collaboration with United Technologies Research Center (UTRC) exists including subcontracting
on several DOE projects related to hydrogen recovery from coal derived syngas and renewable
sources. P&E has recently delivered a facility hydrogen purifier to the Hawaii Fuel Cell
Test Center (supported by both ONR and DOE). The purifier will provide consistent hydrogen
purity from multiple sources to eliminate hydrogen purity as a variable for the various test
stations over time. Additional hydrogen separation modules were delivered to Battelle and
integrated with a steam reformer into a 5kW net diesel fuel based PEM fuel cell auxiliary
power unit for Army vehicles operating on diesel fuel. An experimental steam sweep separator
has been delivered in support of a DOD Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
program.
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P+E PE9000MZ
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Program Sponsor: PMS 320 -
ONR
Point of Contact:
Don
Hoffman
Need:
Desulfurization
process that is simplified, saving significant
cost, space and
maintenance.
Benefits:
-
Extended mission capability: Increased
electrical power can be generated per gallon of fuel using
fuel processor and fuel
cell vs. internal combustion-based
generator.
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Reduced thermal and acoustic signatures
with increased power density to
support distributed power
generation.
Technology Transition:
-
Collaborating with UTRC on sulfur tolerant
membranes for hydrogen from coal syngas, DOE has
selected a UTRC/P&E team for a larger scale project
demonstrating a megawatt
capacity.
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Reduced P&E has
shipped six high purity separators to both Battelle Columbus and PNNL for 5-10 kW APU
systems for both Army and Air Force projects. P&E has
been notified that it is a subcontractor an additional
DOD.
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Power & Energy,
Inc.
106 Railroad
Drive
Ivyland, PA 18974-1449
USA
Phone: 215-942-4600 ext 17
Fax: 215-942-9300
Web: http://www.powerandenergy.com
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Project &
Phase III Funding
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| SBIR |
PEO Ships |
$1,098,637 |
| Phase III |
ONR |
$1,915,014 |
| Phase
III |
United Technologies
Research Center |
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| Phase III |
Hawaii National Energy
Institute |
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| Phase
III |
Battelle Memorial
Institute |
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