North Haven, CT (September 27th, 2022) - Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) announces it was awarded a Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Phase I program from the Army for their fast startup, fuel flexible catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) reformer technology that is to be integrated into SOFC systems. This project is targeted to develop a technology to support efficiently converting hydrocarbon fuel sources to electricity.
The current generation of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) is optimized to run on a single fuel source, when there is interest in the potential to harness multiple energy assets like propane, methane, and biogas. Recognizing this critical need for fuel flexibility, PCI and its academic partner have joined forces to develop a fuel reforming technique that seamlessly integrates with SOFCs, enabling them to utilize diverse energy sources.
The solution utilizes Catalytic Partial Oxidation (CPOX), a technique particularly well-suited for the fuel reforming requirements of compact SOFCs. CPOX eliminates the need for heat exchange at high temperatures and ensures rapid startup for dynamic performance. A key challenge is achieving fuel flexibility, such as enabling a smooth transition from high-energy-density propane to lower-energy-density biogas.
PCI's proprietary Microlith® supported catalyst forms the cornerstone of its CPOX design, empowering it with exceptional fuel flexibility and seamless integration with SOFCs. This catalyst technology, developed and patented by PCI, has a remarkable track record in chemical reaction applications, making it an ideal choice for SOFC applications.
The design's unique short contact time and high surface area catalytic support enable it to reform fuels to hydrogen-containing syngas in millisecond timeframes without the need for water or steam, while also preventing coking. Additionally, the metallic Microlith support ensures excellent thermal transfer and minimal pressure drop, resulting in quick startup time and dynamic response. As a result, PCI’s compact CPOX reforming design runs at lower and more uniform reaction temperatures than alternative CPOX catalysts.
"We believe our Microlith CPOX design holds a distinct advantage over alternatives for SOFCs," stated Kevin Burns, President of PCI. “This will enable fuel flexibility as well as improved efficiency, durability, and ease of integration with a variety of SOFC systems.”
Data from recent PCI compact CPOX testing has already demonstrated compliance with all Phase I requirements while operating on propane. The team is now poised to evaluate methane and biogas with the same CPOX design, assessing startup time, performance stability, cycle ability, volume and weight per kW, and compliance with MIL-SPEC-810 vibration levels with potential to surpass the topic’s Phase I requirements.
Precision Combustion, Inc. is a clean energy and environmental technology company developing new reactors and systems for energy and environmental sector applications.
For more information, contact:
Anthony Anderson
Director, Business Development and Marketing
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