You are here

Reformer for Conversion of Diesel Fuel into CO and Hydrogen

Award Information
Agency: Department of Energy
Branch: N/A
Contract: DE-FG02-05ER84394
Agency Tracking Number: 79446S05-I
Amount: $99,996.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: 14
Solicitation Number: DE-FG02-06ER06-09
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2006
Award Year: 2005
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
4600 Nautilus Court South
Boulder, CO 80301
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: Yes
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Michael Mundschau
 Dr.
 (303) 530-0263
 eltron@eltronresearch.com
Business Contact
 Eileen Sammells
Title: Ms.
Phone: (303) 530-0263
Email: contracts@eltronresearch.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

79446S Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) have been identified for use as auxiliary electric power supplies for diesel vehicles. This will require the development of reformers for converting diesel fuel into a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which then can be consumed in the SOFC. In this project, a catalytic converter will be designed to react commercial diesel fuel with oxygen and steam. Special refractory catalysts, which can withstand reactor temperatures up to 1273 K and sulfur concentration in the diesel fuel feed of 50 ppmv, will be developed. In Phase I, refractory oxides with a perovskite crystal structure will be synthesized and dispersed onto refractory oxide supports designed for compatibility with high concentrations of sulfur. Commercial-grade diesel fuel, steam, and oxygen will be fed into the reactor, and the amount of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and methane exiting the reactor will be quantified using gas chromatography. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The catalytic conversion technology should be applicable to both commercial and military diesel vehicles. The U.S. military would likely provide the largest market for such devices. A market for diesel fuel reformers could materialize from producers of solid oxide fuel cells.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government