Performance of an Anode Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cell with Indirect Internal Reforming

The conversion of fuel into hydrogen-rich gas is necessary for fuel cells. This can be achieved either indirectly in fuel processing systems, in which the hydrocarbon feed is converted in an external catalytic steam reformer, or directly in the fuel cell. In this paper, the unit module of solid oxide fuel cell was assembled by one reformer and four cells. The reformer was fabricated by extruded dummy cell and combined with two cells on each side respectively. The reforming catalyst was coated on internal channel of the dummy cell. The unit module has successfully tested with wet CH4 as fuel and air as oxidant and its maximum power density exceeded 150mW/cm(2) at 750 degrees C.open110Nsciescopu

Calvin: Geneva and the Reformation: a study of Calvin as social reformer, churchman, pastor and theologian

Reviewed Book: Wallace, Ronald S. Calvin: Geneva and the Reformation: a study of Calvin as social reformer, churchman, pastor and theologian. Grand Rapids: Baker Bk House, 1988

Diesel exhaust-gas reforming for H2 addition to an aftertreatment unit

This is the post-print version of the final paper published in Chemical Engineering Journal. The published article is available from the link below. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. Copyright @ 2008 Elsevier B.V.The work described in this paper has been undertaken as part of the design of an integrated system comprising a diesel engine, an exhaust-gas fuel reformer and a NOx aftertreatment unit. The exhaust-gas reformer is used to provide hydrogen-rich reformate to the NOx aftertreatment unit, containing a hydrocarbon-SCR catalyst, in order to improve its NOx reduction activity at low exhaust-gas temperatures. The reformer configuration and operating parameters have been examined in order to optimise the performance of the hydrocarbon-SCR catalyst, which is promoted by the presence of H2 but inhibited by CO. The length of the catalyst bed inside the reformer is a key factor in determining the extent to which the water-gas shift reaction can contribute to the reforming process, and therefore strongly influences the proportions of CO and H2 in the reformate. However, it is also necessary for the reactant ratios at the reformer inlet to be controlled in response to changes in the engine operating conditions. In practice, this means that the rate of fuel addition to the reformer needs to be optimised for different exhaust gas compositions and space velocities

Integration and commercialisation of tube measuring devices : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Mechatronics at Massey University,Manawatu, New Zealand

Failure of plant equipment in the hydrocarbon processing industry can lead to significant financial, environmental, and health and safety consequences. Therefore, the equipment is subject to ongoing routine inspections, which often involve significant labour and financial resources. Methanex is a methanol producing company operating plants at six sites globally, including in New Zealand. The production of methanol involves the use of steam-methane reformers, which house hundreds of process-carrying vertically hung reformer tubes in a large gas fired furnace box. The heat and pressure of the process places the metal used for the tubes under high stresses, which results in the creep strain phenomenon exhibited as diametric growth in the tube. As the growth increases, the tube becomes weaker, and eventually fails. Methanex has developed a device for inspecting the reformer tubes and detecting this growth, called the Economole, thus helping to predict remaining tube life. However, the Economole device is not capable of inspecting the other part of the reformer, also at risk of creep strain, the pigtail collection pipes. These pipes are used to collect the gas at the bottom of the reformer tubes, and are smaller in diameter. Normal practice is to manually externally inspect these pipes, costing in excess of 100 000 NZD for Methanex New Zealand’s three reformers. The research performed during this thesis was initiated to address the gap in internal, automated, reformer inspection at Methanex, by integrating the field proven Economole tube measuring device, with a laboratory tested prototype, the Minimole. Commercialisation of the Minimole concept was carried out, to provide a fit for purpose device, and integration of mechanical, electrical, communication and control systems was subsequently completed. The final outcome of the project was the MXmole device. It consists of an improved Economole system, integrated with the Minimole system.. The MXmole is able to measure the full reformer tube, as well the top section of the reformer pigtail, during one inspection. Real time feedback is provided on the condition of the pigtail, with instantaneous critical warnings, indicating near end of life of the pigtail. This feedback can initiate immediate necessary replacement. Inspection coverage for Methanex’s reformer equipment has increased as a result of this research. This increase has provided them with additional data necessary to assess the life expectancy of their reformer equipment, including pigtails, without the need for costly and laborious manual external inspection. The outcome of this research may be adapted to other plants and processes in industry, allowing further economical inspection of equipment vulnerable to creep strain, and the overall safer and more reliable operation of high pressure and temperature plant equipment in industry

Thomas Muir at Glasgow: John Millar and the University

This chapter looks at the reformer Thomas Muir's education at the University of Glasgow, his time studying under John Millar, Professor of Law, and the events leading to Muir's withdrawal from the University

Cell module and fuel conditioner development

The design features and plans for fabrication of Stacks 564 and 800 are described. The results of the OS/IES loop testing of Stack 562, endurance testing of Stack 560 and the post test analysis of Stack 561 are reported. Progress on construction and modification of the fuel cell test facilities and the 10 kW reformer test station is described. Efforts to develop the technical data base for the fuel conditioning system included vendor contacts, packed bed heat transfer tests, development of the BOLTAR computer program, and work on the detailed design of the 10 kW reformer are described

Studies of the use of high-temperature nuclear heat from an HTGR for hydrogen production

The results of a study which surveyed various methods of hydrogen production using nuclear and fossil energy are presented. A description of these methods is provided, and efficiencies are calculated for each case. The process designs of systems that utilize the heat from a general atomic high temperature gas cooled reactor with a steam methane reformer and feed the reformer with substitute natural gas manufactured from coal, using reforming temperatures, are presented. The capital costs for these systems and the resultant hydrogen production price for these cases are discussed along with a research and development program

Clarice Marion Shaw (1883-1946) social reformer and politician

Biography of Clarice Marion Shaw, social reformer and politician

Simulation of hydrogen production for mobile fuel cell applications via autothermal reforming of methane

This paper presents a simulation of catalytic autothermal reforming (ATR) of methane (CH4) for hydrogen (H2) production. ATR is essentially an oxidative steam reforming, which combines the exothermic partial oxidation (PO) with the endothermic steam reforming (SR) under thermally neutral conditions. A model is developed using HYSYS 2004.1 to simulate the conversion behavior of the reformer. The model covers all aspects of major chemical kinetics and heat and mass transfer phenomena in the reformer. The ATR and preferential oxidation (PrOx) processes is modeled using conversion reactor, while the water gas shift (WGS) process is modeled using equilibrium reactor within HYSYS environment. The conditions used for high CH4 conversion and high H2 yield are at air to fuel ratio of 2.5 and water to fuel ratio of 1.5. Under this condition, CH4 conversion of 100% and H2 yield of 44% on wet basis can be achieved and the system efficiency is about 87.7%

Martin Bucer: a reformer and his times

Title: Martin Bucer: a reformer and his times. Author: Greschat, Martin Martin Bucer xii, 340 p. Publisher: Louisville, Ky. : Westminster John Knox Press, 2004