SBIR-STTR Award

Fuel cells are one of the most efficient electrical power generation technologies available and are capable of utilizing as a fuel source, Jet Propellant 8 (JP-8), a jet fuel that is widely used by the Air Force and Army, as specified by Army Regulation AR 70-12. In fact, because of the availability of JP-8, it offers an abundant source of fuel, which coupled with fuel cells, can generate power at a highly efficient rate. The combination of jet fuel and fuel cells has a huge economic advantage to the Air Force and Army. Unfortunately, JP-8 contains sulfur, which results in "sulfur poisoning" and damages the fuel cell electrode. Therefore, removal of such sulfur is required before JP-8 can become a fuel source for fuel cells. To enable this, we propose a lightweight, miniaturized desulfurizer that is capable of removing sulfur from JP-8 in a convenient and portable way than existing stationary methods). With this proposed desulfurization technology, readily available JP-8 as well as other hydrocarbon fuels, can be used as a compatible fuel source for fuel cells, such as solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFC).

The Overall Objective of the Phase II project is to optimize and scale up an on-board miniature reactor for effectively removing sulfur in logistics fuels, such as JP-8, and to investigate the thermal stability of the desulfurized fuels. The Specific Technical Objectives for this phase are to: (1) optimize the reactor design and manufacturing process to provide a conceptual system design for identified end-user/customer applications; (2) conduct detailed tests to evaluate the desulfurizer performance using various sorbent materials and operating conditions; and (3) investigate the thermal stability of the desulfurized fuel against fouling and coking. The Scope of the Phase II effort will focus on reactor design, operating conditions and the evaluation of the desulfurized fuels in terms of their sulfur content and thermal stability. The main Benefit of the proposed portable, on-board desulfurizer is its lightweight and effectiveness in removing corrosive and poisoning sulfur compounds from logistics fuels, therefore enabling the direct utilization of these logistics fuels for advanced electrical power generation via fuel cells with reduced cost. The desulfurization technology is a strong candidate for supporting multiple mission needs for the USAF, including a readily available supply of low sulfur fuels for vehicles and support equipment, and for enabling 250W-10kW fuel cell power systems.