The processing of alcohols, hydrocarbons and ethers to produce hydrogen for a PEMFC for transportation applications

Wellman CJB Limited is involved in a number of projects to develop fuel processors to provide a hydrogen-rich fuel in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) systems for transportation applications. This work started in 1990 which resulted in the demonstration of 10 kW PEMFC system incorporating a methanol reformer and catalytic gas clean-up system. Current projects include: the development of a compact fast response methanol reformer and gas clean-up system for a motor vehicle; reforming of infrastructure fuels including gasoline, diesel, reformulated fuel gas and LPG to produce a hydrogen rich gas for PEMFC; investigating the potential of dimethylether (DME) as source of hydrogen rich gas for PEMFCs; the use of thin film palladium diffusers to produce a pure hydrogen stream from the hydrogen rich gas from a reformer; and processing of naval logistic fuels to produce a hydrogen rich gas stream for PEMFC power system to replace diesel generators in surface ships. This paper outlines the background to these projects and reports their current status.