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

Description

Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) proposes an innovative compact 20 kWe reformer design that will enable effective and efficient SOFC operation with up to 3000 ppmw sulfur JP-8 or diesel fuel, and meet and exceed the solicitation objectives. The resulting reformer system will be sulfur tolerant, have high energy density, and will offer a reduced weight burden and enable use of existing logistic fuels for Fuel Cell power generation from spec. JP-8. The proposed design builds upon prior PCI work on reformers and fuel processors for multiple fuel cell systems. In Phase I, potential system solutions for the 20 kWe application will be evaluated and fully conserved system designs will be developed. Additionally, a 10 kWe proof-of-concept fuel reformer will be evaluated with JP-8 containing up to 3000 ppmw sulfur to verify operation of the novel sulfur cleanup and reformer design and reformate suitability for subsequent integration with 20 kWe fuel cells. At the end of Phase I, a complete, high fidelity 20 kWe APU system design inclusive of reformer, fuel cell stack, and all balance of plant (BOP) components will be developed and delivered to the Army.