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移(STTR)第一阶段项目将研究在金属箔上涂上固体吸着剂的技术和商业可行性，以便它们作为含硫液体燃料的预处理的脱硫剂。涂覆的薄片将被插入到一个小型热交换器中，该热交换器充当用于燃料电池应用的液体燃料转化为氢的平台单元；热交换器平台已经被证明是一种重整装置。这种脱硫剂装置与重整装置相结合，将允许燃料电池使用高硫液体燃料，从而在不改变燃料基础设施的情况下，将其用于军事和航空应用的电力系统。新型纳米孔脱硫剂将被开发出来，并测试其吸硫能力。一组精选的这种吸附材料将被涂在金属箔上进行进一步测试，包括在金属箔上的吸着剂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，它将提供独特的机会，显著减少某些应用(如交通运输)中辅助电力系统的能源消耗、排放、噪音和热特征。

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).