Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Processor
"We put the fuel in fuel cells®"
PCI is developing an integrated fuel processor for liquid fuels for application in PEM and High Temperature PEM fuel cell systems. Building upon its ultra-compact fuel reformer and fuel reforming catalytic reactor technologies, PCI is optimizing its fuel reformer and fuel processor technologies for the size, weight and performance needed to enable liquid-fueled PEM fuel cell systems under multiple Army and Navy programs.
PCI's Microlith®; Compact Logistics Fuel ProcessorTM System for High Temperature PEMs and PEMs consists of an integrated fuel/air/steam injector, autothermal reformer (ATR), heat exchanger, sulfur trap and water gas shift reactor. The system is designed to take in medium sulfur fuel (<400 ppm sulfur) and provide reformate with <1 ppm sulfur for use in a high Temperature PEM or with additional CO cleanup for use in a low temperature PEM fuel cell.
BOP components such as pumps and controller are separately packaged. This results in a portable and compact package. A photo of a 10 kWe fuel processor including water gas shift reactor is shown.
Attributes
| Characteristic | PCI Fuel Processor Status |
| System Net Rated Power (kWe) | 5 |
| Energy Efficiency (LHV H2 basis) | >73% (fuel quality and S/C ratio dependent) |
| Ultra-Compact | >0.4 kWe/l |
| Rapid Start-up | <10 minutes |
| Fast Transient Response | <5 sec |
| Fuel Flexible | Diesel, JP-8 and other low sulfur logistics fuels |
| Maximum Sulfur in product stream | <1 ppm (from 400 ppm S in fuel) |
| Turn Down Ratio | 5:1 |
Microlith® is a registered trademark of Precision Combustion, Inc.
Contact PCI to learn more about how our solutions may be adapted for your needs.