ACCA Propane

7/29/2019 ACCA Propane

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PROPANE STEAM

REFORMING FOR FUEL CELLS

By Tamika Brown


2/17

H2

O2

H2

at s a ue e , an ow

does it work?

H2

H2

H2

H2

H2

O2

O2

O2

O2

O2

H+

H+

H2O

H2O

H2O

e- e-

Anode

Electrolyte

Cathode

O2

A fuel cell is an electrochemical device

that combines hydrogen fuel and oxygen

from air to produce electricity and water.

In a Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell,

Hydrogen ions form at the anode, and

diffuse through the electrolyte and react

with oxygen at the cathode.

Anode: H2 2H + (aq) +2e-

Cathode: O2 + 2H + (aq) + 2e-

H2O (l)


3/17

Uses of Fuel Cells

Transportation: Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell

Anode: H2(g)2H + (aq) + 2e-

Cathode: O2 (g) + 2H+ (aq) + 2e- H2O(l)

Portable: Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Anode: H2(g) 2H + (aq) + 2e-

Cathode: Cathode: O2 (g) + 2H+ (aq) + 2e- H2O(l)

Stationary: Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Anode: H2(g) + O2 H2O(g) + 2e-

Cathode: O2 (g) + 2e- O2

-


4/17

Fuel Cell uses

Fuel Cell transit buses in

Chicago (Ballard Corp) Anode: H2(g) 2H + (aq) + 2e

-

Cathode: O2 (g) + 2H+ (aq) + 2e- H2O(l)

Energy Research Corp. Anode: H2(g) + 2CO3 H2O(g) + CO2(g) + 2e- Cathode: O2 (g) + CO2 + 2e

- 2CO3


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Hydrogen

Hydrogen is the most abundant element inthe universe

No known sources of gaseous hydrogen

Hydrogen generated from another energysource such as petroleum or from waterthrough electrolysis

energy (electricity) + 2 H2O -> O2 + 2 H2

SO HOW DO WE GENERATE AN ADEQUATESUPPLY OF HYDROGEN FOR FUEL CELLS . . . . .


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Fuel Processor/Reformer Reformers convert hydrocarbon fuels into hydrogen

Steam and/or oxygen along with a catalyst are needed

Carbon dioxide is a byproduct

Fuel

ProcessorFuel Cell

Stack

Spent-Gas

Burner

Thermal & Water Management

Air

Air

Fuel

H2

Exhaust

Electric

PowerConditioner


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3 Types of Reactions

*Steam Reforming: Hydrocarbon+ Steam + catalyst H2 + CO2

Partial Oxidation Reforming:

Hydrocarbon + Oxygen + catalyst H2 + CO2

Autothermal Reforming:

Hydrocarbon + Oxygen + Steam + catalyst H2 + CO2


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Why choose Steam Reforming?

Tailor to application

Ex. This particular investigation focuses onstationary uses such as power plants and

industrial plants Partial Oxidation (POx) can be tailored to

meet certain vehicle regulatory standards

Autothermal Reforming (ATR) is a thermalbalance between (POx) and SteamReforming


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What is Hydrocarbon Source?

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG),

Consists mainly of propane, propylene,

butane and butylenes in various mixtures.

In the U.S. the mixture is mainly propane.


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Why choose LPG?

LPG can be used in the home, commercial

businesses, industry, and transportation

The residential and commercial markets

where LPG is used make up about 50% of

the world total LP gas retail sales


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Fuel Processor/Reformer

1.Inlets to Reactor

a) Water Steam

b) Fuel (liquid) Vapor

c) Fuel (gas)

d) Air (POx or ATR)

e) Catalyst

2. Reactor

a) Sampling ports

3. Analytical Train

a) CO/CO2 detector

b) Mass flow indicator

CO / CO2Monitor

Chiller

0C

Drain

N.O.

to vent

N.C.

to vent

3VSol-163

RV-162

to vent

PV-164

MV-167

Dotted lines show

- - - Automatic Shutdowncomponents .

Drierite

trap

PV-161

to vent

condensate

trap

MFI-170

IF-169

PV-136

Fuel

Water

Vaporizer

N2

Furnace

CV-309

200C

750C

MFC-316

HPLC-301

HPLC-302

System Diagram

to vent

IF-148

IF-312

IF-311

SV-303

PV-304

RV-305

PV-306

CV-332

PV-333RV-331

3V-134

to vent

Condenser

Fuel

MFC-320

MFC-319

CV-323

SV-324

PV-322

Flame

Arrestor

PV-171

samplingport

Dial Pressure

Gauge

IF-147

PV-310

to vent

Air

MFC-318

N.C.

Capped

N.O.

CV-307

3VSol-308

PV-321

MFC-317 PV-320

Condensatetrap

Dark lines are heat

wrapped at 150C

MPV-330

IF-340 to 345

PV-346

From

microreactor #2

Hydrocarbon + H2O(g) + catalyst H2 + O2


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What are the Goals of

Experimentation?

Explore how operating conditions affect the

reaction kinetics

Variables: temperature, flow rates, catalyst

Data from reactor model kinetics full scalereactor design for commercial use


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Challenges of Reforming Process

Flow Rates: High efficiency is desired at faster flow rates

Waste less fuel and energy, less catalyst

Cost:

Parts can be expensive, as well as precious metal coatedcatalysts.

Catalyst: Catalyst needs to withstand impurities such as sulfur, but also

produce the most amount of hydrogen possible

Temperature: High efficiency needs to be achieved at lower temperatures

Less of a hazard, cost of parts is cheaper, and less energy isneeded to maintain system


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Challenges Continued

Response times: Dont want to have to wait periods of time for hydrogen to be

produced in order for fuel cell to start working.

Durability:

Catalyst and Reformer need to be durable Coking:

Carbon deposits in the reformer This causes clogging in the system

Interference of components in fuel mixture

Alkenes interfere with alkane reforming This is a problem for LPG, because it is not a homogenous

mixture


15/17

Conclusion

If we switch to a hydrogen economy

More efficient than combustion

Less air pollution (NOx, SOx, COx)

Easily transportable Save money (less imports)

Fuel Reforming for Fuel Cells is an intermediary

technology for the production of hydrogen until arenewable source of energy can be discovered.


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Acknowledgments

I would like to thank John Kopasz for giving me the opportunity to participate in this and

other research projects. I would like to thank Dan Applegate for his knowledge and helpfulness. I

express sincere gratitude to Laura Miller for her patience, time, and wisdom. Last but not least, I

would like to thank the U.S. Department of Energy for giving students a change to grow

scientifically as well as professionally.


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References

What is a Fuel Cell. Fuel Cells 2000. 2 March 2004.

http://www.fuelcells.org/whatis.htm

Carter, David, Fuel Cell Power: Whats taking so long?

IPMI 25th International Precious Metals Conference, June 9-12, 2001.

Electrolysis: Obtaining hydrogen from water: The Basis for a Solar-HydrogenEconomy. 4 April 2005. http://www.nmsea.org

Chicagos Fuel Cell Buses Mobilized. Hydrogen Newsletter Winter 1998: HydrogenBuses. 4 April 2005. http://www.hydrogenus.com/advocate/ad31cta.htm

Pocket-size PEMs. Pocket-size PEMs. 4 April 2005.http://www.memagazine.org/backissues/february2000/features/pems/pems.html

Miller, Laura, Safety Review for Long Term Test Reactor CMT50-0006-EP-Rev 08NEPA Document ER-281. February 17, 2005 pp. 1-15.

Laura, Miller, Science Careers in Search of Women Conference. March 10, 2005.

What is Propane? Alternative Fuels Data Center: What is Propane? 23 March2005. http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/altfuel/whatisprop.html.

What is LP Gas? World LP Gas Association. 29 March 2005.http://www.worldpgas.com/mainpages/aboutpgas/whatislpgas.php.
http://www.fuelcells.org/whatis.htmhttp://www.fuelcells.org/whatis.htmhttp://www.nmsea.org/http://www.hydrogenus.com/advocate/ad31cta.htmhttp://www.hydrogenus.com/advocate/ad31cta.htmhttp://www.memagazine.org/backissues/february2000/features/pems/pems.htmlhttp://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/altfuel/whatisprop.htmlhttp://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/altfuel/whatisprop.htmlhttp://www.worldpgas.com/mainpages/aboutpgas/whatislpgas.phphttp://www.worldpgas.com/mainpages/aboutpgas/whatislpgas.phphttp://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/altfuel/whatisprop.htmlhttp://www.memagazine.org/backissues/february2000/features/pems/pems.htmlhttp://www.hydrogenus.com/advocate/ad31cta.htmhttp://www.nmsea.org/http://www.fuelcells.org/whatis.htmhttp://www.fuelcells.org/whatis.htm

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