Hybrid Mode Autothermal Reformation Of Methanol

Download or read book Hybrid Mode Autothermal Reformation of Methanol written by David Kashevaroff and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study investigates autothermal reformation of fuel cell grade methanol using a copper-based steam reformation catalyst as a method for hydrogen production in vehicle applications. Previous onboard fuel processing systems for hydrogen have relied on steam reformers, which suffer from high thermal resistance in packed-bed catalyst designs, causing long startup times, poor response to transient loads, and reactor performance to degrade as flow rates increase. Autothermal reformation (ATR) has a faster dynamic response, which may eliminate these concerns. Traditionally, ATR has been performed on noble metal catalysts because of their ability to withstand the heat generated by the reaction. With noble metal catalysts, 0.23 has been shown to be the theoretical optimal O2/C ratio for reforming methanol. Newer studies, however, have shown that it is possible to use copper-based catalysts in ATR. When doing so, lower O2/C ratios may be used, resulting in less dilution by nitrogen in the product stream, which would significantly enhance the performance of an integrated fuel cell. This project investigates the roles of O2/C ratio, fuel flow rate, and reformer inlet temperature on this type of "hybrid mode" ATR. A background on steam reformation, partial oxidation, and autothermal reformation is presented. The experimental facility consists of an ATR reformer and air supply system that were designed for integration within a pre-existing reforming infrastructure. The effect of O2/C ratio, fuel flow rate, and inlet temperature were investigated in relation to the output parameters of fuel conversion, hydrogen selectivity, hydrogen yield, and reformer exit temperature. Catalyst degradation was also investigated. The results for this experiment can be used as a baseline for important further research in autothermal reforming of hydrocarbon fuels in mobile applications. Conclusions and recommendations calling for further investigation into hybrid mode reformation and its associated catalyst degradation are drawn from the presented results.