Ultra-pure Hydrogen Generation from Logistic Fuels Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Topic No.: N05-040 Topic Title: Ultra-pure Hydrogen Generation from Logistic Fuels Proposal No.: N051-040-0678 Firm: Ceramatec, Inc. 2425 South 900 West Salt Lake City, Utah 84119-1517 Contact: S. Elangovan Phone: (801) 978-2162 Web Site: http://www.ceramatec.com Abstract: While fuel cell technology is attractive to meet the electric power requirements of the Navy, the Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells require high putiy hydrogen fuel. The high sulfur content of the Navy distillate NATO F-76 makes the reformate clean up system in a fuel processor too complex for the compact and light-weight systems that are required. Hydrogen separation membrane that is contaminant tolerant is proposed. The use of such membrane that is stable in the reformate composition will simplify or even eliminate the reformate clean up subsystem. An additional aspect of this project will be to evaluate a compact fuel processor to reform F-76. The fuel processor is more efficient and reduces the common technical challenges such as low efficiency operation and soot formation encountered in reforming diesel fuel using conventional partial oxidation reformers. The operational characteristics of the two systems, reformer and the hydrogen separation membrane, allow for both process and physical integration making the overall conversion process of navy distillate into high purity hydrogen efficient and economical. Benefits: The project will develop two critical technology areas to meet the needs of the Navy: contaminant resistant hydrogen membrane and a compact, efficient reformer for F-76 fuel. These subsystems can be used independent of each other or as an integrated unit. Both subsystems have commercial potential in providing fuel for fuel cells for heavy duty trucks, recreational vehicles, and commercial ships to make more efficient use of diesel fuel. Return