Compact Mobile Fuel Cell System with Propane Reformer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems require high purity hydrogen, which is costly to produce and store, especially for mobile applications, due to the generation of impurities like CO and CO2 during hydrocarbon reforming, lacking a compact high-temperature PEM fuel cell capable of operating on lower quality reformed hydrogen.
Innovation Solution
An integrated fuel cell power system with a propane reformer and high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell using a pyridine polymer membrane, operating at specific temperature and pressure ranges to produce hydrogen while minimizing soot and carbon monoxide, and a 3D printed compact mobile system that generates 360 W of power within a 4.3 L volume and 2.4 kg weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional PEM fuel cell systems use high purity hydrogen, then fuel cell performance is improved, but system cost and complexity increase due to costly on-board hydrogen storage tanks and purification systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating temperature parameter of the PEM fuel cell from conventional low temperature (around 80°C) to high temperature (160°C to 205°C). This parameter change enables the fuel cell to tolerate higher impurity levels (5% to 25% CO) in the reformate gas, eliminating the need for complex purification systems and on-board hydrogen storage tanks while maintaining fuel cell performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an on-board fuel reforming system as an intermediary component that converts hydrocarbon fuels (propane, natural gas, gasoline, diesel) into reformate gas suitable for the high-temperature PEM fuel cell. This intermediary system replaces the need for pure hydrogen storage tanks and complex purification systems, simplifying the overall system architecture
2Productivity
If on-board fuel reforming system is used to generate hydrogen from hydrocarbons, then hydrogen production is improved, but impurity generation (CO, CO2, soot) increases requiring costly clean-up systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of CO impurities in reformate gas into a beneficial feature by designing a high-temperature PEM fuel cell that can operate efficiently with 5% to 25% CO concentrations. The elevated operating temperature (160°C to 205°C) transforms what would normally be a poison to conventional PEM fuel cells into an acceptable component of the fuel mixture, eliminating the need for costly CO removal systems
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the operating temperature parameter to high temperature (160°C to 205°C), the fuel cell system can process reformate gas with higher impurity content without requiring additional purification equipment. This parameter change directly addresses the impurity generation issue by making the system tolerant of CO, CO2, and soot that are inherent byproducts of hydrocarbon reforming
3Adaptability or versatility
If high temperature PEM fuel cell is used to operate on lower quality reformed hydrogen, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to specialized pyridine polymer membrane requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pyridine polymer membrane (such as polybenzimidazole or PBI) as a composite material that enables high-temperature operation (160°C to 205°C) of the PEM fuel cell. This specialized membrane material provides the necessary thermal stability and proton conductivity at elevated temperatures, enabling the system to operate on lower quality reformed hydrogen while maintaining fuel cell performance. The use of this advanced polymer material is offset by the elimination of costly purification systems and hydrogen storage tanks
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively produces electricity from lower quality reformed hydrogen, achieving efficient power generation with reduced impurities and a compact, lightweight design suitable for mobile applications like unmanned aerial vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a catalytic partial oxidation catalyst, wherein the reformer operates at an O2/C ratio from about 0.5 to about 0.65, pressure from about 100 kPa to about 300 kPa, and catalyst temperature from about 800° C. to about 1000° C. to produce hydrogen while minimizing creation of soot to at or below about 0.02 mg/m3 and carbon monoxide from about 5% to about 25%
Implementation Method 2
a high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell including a pyridine polymer membrane, wherein the fuel cell operates within a temperature range from about 160° C. to about 205° C. and at pressures between about 100 kPa to about 300 kPa to produce electricity from the reformate
Implementation Method 3
a catalytic partial oxidation catalyst, wherein the reformer operates at an O2/C ratio from about 0.5 to about 0.65, pressure from about 100 kPa to about 300 kPa, and catalyst temperature from about 800° C. to about 1000° C. to produce hydrogen while minimizing creation of soot to at or below about 0.02 mg/m3 and carbon monoxide from about 5% to about 25%
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and apparatus for fuel cell utilizing hydrogen from reforming propane fuel include a propane fuel reformer, controlling operating parameters of O2/C ratio, pressure, and catalyst temperature, and a high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) controlling operating parameters of pressure and temperature. For mobile application, the system includes a 3D printed reformer for generation of hydrogen rich gas.