Fuel Reforming Catalytic Reactors

PCI is developing several fuel reforming catalytic reactors for integration into fuel processor and fuel cell power systems including:

  • Catalytic Partial Oxidation (CPOX) of natural gas, propane, gasoline, Jet A, JP-8 and diesel
  • Autothermal Reforming (ATR) of gasoline, Jet A, JP-8 and diesel
  • Oxidative Steam Reforming (OSR) of methanol

PCI's CPOX technology is being developed under NSF, DoD, NASA and internal programs for  gas turbine and fuel cell power generation, and aircraft APU applications.  Fueled by natural gas, PCI's CPOX technology has demonstrated steady operation at up to 16 atm. and power densities up to 30 MW/liter.  Fueled by liquid fuels, PCI's CPOX technology has demonstrated cold start-up and sulfur tolerance.   PCI's ATR technology is being developed under internal, DoD and NASA programs for automotive and military power generation, and aircraft APU applications.  Our ATR technology has demonstrated complete conversion of liquid fuels at low S:C ratio (<2), multi-fuel capability, and sulfur tolerance.  PCI's OSR technology was developed under a DoD program for military portable power and has demonstrated thermal efficiency greater than 87% with a low CO concentration in the reformate (1.2%).  Our fuel reformer catalytic reactors have been demonstrated to meet or exceed DOE goals for weight and volume for on-board fuel reforming for automotive applications.  Other applications include fuel reforming for hydrogen injection into IC engines and for diesel exhaust NOx reduction.  Technology attributes are highlighted in the table below.

Parameter ATR CPOX OSR
Power Density (kW/L)

160

~1000

 49
Specific Power (kW/Kg) 200 ~1000 61
Selectivity [H2 in product /H2 from feed] ~100* 92 >100*
Transient [10-100% power] (Seconds) 3 3 3
Start-up (Seconds) <30 <30 <30

Assumption: 18 SLPM H2 required for 1 kWe from fuel cell,
* H2O/C dependant

Additional Information can be obtained from the papers listed below:

"Complete and partial catalytic oxidation of methane over substrates with enhanced transport properties",  Catalysis Today 83 (2003) 183-197

"Performance of Microlith Based Catalytic Reactors for an Isooctane Reforming System", SAE 2003-01-1366

"Catalytic partial oxidation of methane to syngas at elevated pressures", Catalysis Letters Vol. 99 Nos. 3-4 February 2005

All fuel reformer catalytic reactors are customized to optimize performance within the fuel reformer/processor system.  Contact PCI to learn more about how our solutions may be adapted for your needs.

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