STTR PHASE I: Simple Desulfurizing Component Enables Fuel Processing of Sulfur-laden Logistic Fuels for Fuel Cells

这个小型企业技术转让（STTR）第一阶段项目将研究用固体吸附剂涂覆金属箔的技术和商业可行性，以便它们作为含硫液体燃料预处理的脱硫成分。涂层箔将被插入一个小型热交换器中，该热交换器作为将液体燃料转化为氢的平台单元，用于燃料电池应用；换热器平台已被证明是一种转化装置。当与重整器相结合时，这种吸附装置将允许燃料电池在高硫液体燃料上运行，从而允许它们在不改变燃料基础设施的情况下用于军事和航空应用的电力系统。新型纳米多孔吸附剂将被开发并测试其硫吸附能力。选择一组这些吸附剂材料将被涂在金属箔上进行进一步的测试，包括吸附剂在箔上的稳定性和再生能力。这项技术的更广泛的影响/商业意义将是燃料电池技术，它将为显著减少某些应用（如运输）中辅助电力系统的能源使用、排放、噪音和热特征提供独特的机会。

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will investigate the technical and commercial feasibility of coating metal foils with a solid sorbent so that they act as a desulfurizing component for pre-treatment of sulfur-laden liquid fuels. The coated foils will be inserted into a small heat exchanger that acts as a platform unit for conversion of liquid fuels to hydrogen for fuel cell applications; the heat exchanger platform has already been demonstrated as a reforming device. This sorbent unit, when coupled with the reformer, will allow fuel cells to be operated on high-sulfur liquid fuels, allowing their use in power systems for military and aviation applications with no change in the fuel infrastructure. Novel nanoporous sorbents will be developed and tested for their sulfur sorption capability. A select group of these sorbent materials will be coated onto metal foils for further testing, including stability of the sorbent on foil and capacity for regeneration. The broader impact/commercial significance from this technology will be fuel cell technologies that will offer unique opportunities for significant reductions in energy use, emissions, noise, and thermal signature from auxiliary power systems in certain applications (such as transportation).