• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2015

In this study, characteristics of reforming process of automotive liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fuel using plasma reactor are investigated. Because plasma reformer technology has advantages of a fast start-up and wide fuel/oxidizer ratio of operation, and reactor size is smaller and more simple compared to typical combustor and catalytic reactor, plasma reforming is suitable to the on-board vehicle reformer. To evaluate the characteristics of the reforming process, parametric effect of $O_2/C$ ratios, reactant flow rate and metal form on the process were investigated. In the test of varying $O_2/C$ ratio from partial oxidation to stoichiometry combustion, conversion of LPG was increased but selectivity of $H_2$ decreased. The optimum condition of $O_2/C$ ratio for the highest $H_2$ yield was determined to be around 1.0 for 20~50 lpm, and 1.35 for 100 lpm. Specific energy density (SED) was major factor in reforming process and higher SED leads to higher $H_2$ yield. And metal form in the reformer increased $H_2$ yield of about 34 % as compared to the case of no metal form. The result can be a guide to map optimal condition of reforming process.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.636-644
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• 2008

The objective of this paper is to investigate characteristics of an autothermal reformer at various operating conditions. Numerical method has been used, and simulation model has been developed for the analysis. Pseudo-homogeneous model is incorporated because the reactor is filled with catalysts of a packed-bed type. Dominant chemical reactions are Full Combustion reaction, Steam Reforming(SR) reaction, Water-Gas Shift(WGS) reaction, and Direct Steam Reforming(DSR) reaction. Simulation results are compared with experimental results for code validation. Operating parameters of the autothermal reformer are inlet temperature, Oxygen to Carbon Ratio(OCR), Steam to Carbon Ratio(SCR), and Gas Hourly Space Velocity(GHSV). Temperature at the reactor center, fuel conversion, species at the reformer outlet, and reforming efficiency are shown as simulation results. SR reaction rate is improved by increased inlet temperature. Reforming efficiency and fuel conversion reached the maximum at 0.7 of OCR. SR reaction and WGS reaction are activated as SCR increases. When GHSV is increased, reforming efficiency increases but pressure drop from the increased GHSV may decrease the system efficiency.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers P
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.639-643
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• 2009

A reformer, which produces hydrogen from natural gas, plays a major role for producing quality hydrogen to fuel-cell system. In this paper, fuel processor is designed to deliver hydrogen(75%) from the reformer to 200W fuel-cell system, and the electrical output power of the fuel-cells is examined by being injected different hydrogen concentrations to the system. We verified that the output power characteristics of the fuel-cells with 75% reformed hydrogen was lower about 7% than the case of pure hydrogen supplied. The type of reformer in this experiment takes SMR(Steam methane reforming) process, and the temperature variation characteristics of reforming process by reactions are examined in operation.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.773-776
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• 2009

In this paper, new concept of the diesel fuel processing is introduced for the stable operation of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Heavier hydrocarbons than $CH_4$, such as ethylene, ethane, propane, and etc., induce the carbon deposition on anode of SOFCs. In the reformate of heavy hydrocarbons (diesel, gasoline, kerosene, and JP-8), concentration of ethylene is usually higher than low hydrocarbons such as ethane, propane, and butane. So, removal of low hydrocarbons (over C1-hydrocarbons), especially ethylene, at the reformate gases is important for stable operation of SOFCs. New methodology as named "post-reformer" is introduced for removing the low hydrocarbons at the reformate gas stream. Catalyst of the NECS-PR4 is selected for post-reforming catalyst because the catalyst of NECS-PR4 shows the high selectivity for removing low hydrocarbons and achieving the high reforming efficiency. The diesel reformer and post-reformer are continuously operated for about 200 hours as integrated mode. The reforming performance is not degraded and low hydrocarbons in the diesel reformate are completely removed.

• 한국전기화학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.103-108
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• 2004

The present paper relates to an apparatus in which all carbonaceous material such as coal, oil, plastics and any substance having carbon atoms as part of its constituents are reformed(gasified) into syngas at temperature above $1,200^{\circ}C$(KR patent No.0391121, and PCT/KR2001/01717 and PCT/KR2004/001020). It comprises a single-stage reforming reactor without catalyst and a syngas burner as shown in Fig.2. syngas is combusted with $O_2$ gas in the syngas bunter to produce $M_2O$ and $CO_2$ gas with exothermic heat. Reaction products are introduced into the reforming reactor, reaction heat from syngas burner elevate the temperature of reactor above $1,200^{\circ}C$, and reaction products reduce carbonaceous material down to CO and $H_2$ gases. Reactants and heat necessary for the reaction are provided through the syngas burner only, Neither $O_2$ gas nor steam are injected into the reforming reactor. Reformer is made of ceramic inner lining and sst outer casing. Multiple syngas burners may be connected to the reforming reactor in order to increase the syngas output, and a portion of the product syngas is recycled into syngas burner. The present reformer as shown in Fig.2 is suitable to gasify carbonaceous wastes without secondary pollutants formed from oxidation. Further, it can be miniaturized to accompany a fuel cell system as shown in Fig.3 The output syngas may be used to drive a fuel cell and a portion of electrical power generated in a fuel cell is used to heat a compact reformer up to $1,200^{\circ}C$ so that gas/liquid fossil fuel can efficiently reformed into syngas. The fuel cell serves as syngas burner in Fig.2. The reformation reaction is sustained through recycling a portion of product syngas into a fuel cell and using a portion of electric power generated to heat the reformer for continuous operation. Such reforming reactor may be miniaturized into a size of PC, then you have a Personal Reformer(PR).

• Advances in Energy Research
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.53-78
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• 2013

Methane carbon dioxide reforming (MCDR) is a promising way of utilizing greenhouse gas for hydrogen-rich fuel production. Compared with other types of reactors, Compact Reformers (CRs) are efficient for fuel processing. In a CR, a thin solid plate is placed between two porous catalyst layers to enable efficient heat transfer between the two catalyst layers. In this study, the physical and chemical processes of MCDR in a CR are studied numerically with a 2D numerical model. The model considers the multi-component gas transport and heat transfer in the fuel channel and the porous catalyst layer, and the MCDR reaction kinetics in the catalyst layer. The finite volume method (FVM) is used for discretizing the governing equations. The SIMPLEC algorithm is used to couple the pressure and the velocity. Parametrical simulations are conducted to analyze in detail the effects of various operating/structural parameters on the fuel processing behavior.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.569-573
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• 2016

Strengthened regulations for atmospheric emissions from ships have created a need for new and alternative power systems that offer low emissions and high energy efficiency. Recently, new types of propulsion power systems, such as fuel cell systems that use hydrogen as an energy source, have gained serious consideration in applications requiring emission control. The purpose of this work is to certify the availability of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems equipped with recycled steam reforming fuel processors, and to compare their performance with that of extra steam reforming systems. The results demonstrate that the recycled steam reforming system has a slightly lower cell voltage and higher energy efficiency than the extra steam reforming system.

• 한국전산유체공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.112-116
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• 2011

In this paper, a preconverter of MCFC for an emergence electric power supplier is numerically simulated to increase the hydrogen production from natural gas (methane). Commercial code is used to simulated the porous catalyst with user subroutine to model three dominant chemical reactions which are Stream Reforming(SR), Water-Gas Shift(WGS), and Direct Stram Reforming(DSR). To get 10% fuel conversion rate in preconverter. the required external heat flux is supplied from outer wall of preconverter. The calculated results show that very nonuniform temperature distribution and chemical reaction happen near the wall of preconverter. These phenomena can be explained by the low heat conductivity of porous catalyst and the endothermic reforming reaction.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.201-208
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• 2019

Recently, a fuel reforming plant for supplying high purity hydrogen is being applied to submarines. Since steam reforming is an endothermic reaction, it is necessary to continuously supply heat to the reactor. A fuel reforming plant for a submarine needs a multi-stage burner (MSB) to acquire heat and convert the combustion gas to $CO_2+H_2O$. The MSB has problems that the combustion imbalance occurs during start-up due to the temperature restriction of the combustion gas. This problems can be solved by burning $H_2O$ together with fuel and $O_2$. In this study, the simulation results of MSB were analyzed to determine the optimum flow rate of $H_2O$ supplied to the 6-stage burner. When the flow rate of $H_2O$ was low, combustion was concentrated on the burner#6 in comparison with the burner#1-#5. This combustion concentration improved as the supply amount of $H_2O$ increased. As a results, it was necessary to supply at least 4.9 kmol/h of $H_2O$ (per 1 kmol/h of fuel) to burner#1 in order to maintain the combustion gas temperature of each stage at $750^{\circ}C$ and to convert the final stage burner gas composition to $CO_2+H_2O$.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.11a
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• pp.91.1-91.1
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• 2010

The Reforming system is an effective method to generate hydrogen which uses for fuel cell system. The purpose of this study is to present characteristics of an autothermal reformer at various operating conditions and to investigate ideal conditions for reforming efficiency. Dominant chemical reactions are Full Combustion, Steam Reforming reaction, Water-Gas Shift reaction and Direct Steam Reforming reaction. Operating parameters of the autothermal reformer are inlet temperature, Oxygen to Carbon Ratio, Steam to Carbon Ratio and Gas Hourly Space Velocity. Autothermal reformer is filled with catalysis of a packbed-bed type. Using numerical approach, we have investigated on various reaction conditions.