PRECISION COMBUSTION, INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: A14-076

Description

Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) developed and demonstrated an extremely compact Microlith based reformer for enabling effective and efficient SOFC operation with up to 3000 ppmw sulfur JP8 or diesel fuels. The reformer is based upon PCIs novel sulfur tolerant Microlith catalyst and reactor designs. In Phase I, potential system solutions for 10 kWe APU system were evaluated and water neutral designs were developed and experimentally confirmed in collaboration with stack OEMs. Additionally reformers capability of producing SOFC quality reformate with up to 3000 ppmw sulfur JP8 via the implementation of a reliable and robust desulfurization approach, packaged within the reformer, was demonstrated without any performance degradation. A detailed packaging analysis with all system components (stack, reformer, water recovery, BOP, HX, burner, controls) with piping and instrumentation, indicated suitability of fitting within the Abrams space claim. During Phase II, PCI will build on the results of Phase I and build and demonstrate a power dense, standalone, packaged, TRL5/ 6, 10 kWe JP8 Reformer System integrated with associated balance of plant (BOP) components (e.g., pumps, air blower, sensors, controllers, sulfur cleanup, and electronics) for delivery to TARDEC for further evaluation.