Advances in Fuel Processing Systems for Transportation 2000-01-1539

The Epyx multi-fuel processor provides the key to integrating fuel cell vehicles into existing fueling infrastructures while maintaining the advantages of using a fuel cell - low emissions and increased drive cycle efficiency. The fuel processor can convert various fuels such as gasoline, methanol, ethanol, or natural gas to a hydrogen rich stream that feeds a fuel cell. Development efforts have led to a fuel processor capable of providing high efficiency (76-82% with gasoline, 82-88% with methanol), a reliable CO clean-up device that maintains CO outlet concentrations under 10 ppm during steady state and transient operation, and a tailgas burner that reduces startup time and maintains low emissions. Results from integrated fuel processor/fuel cell system testing show system efficiencies of 32 - 37%, assuming an overall stack efficiency of 42%, well on the way to an overall fuel processor/fuel cell system peak efficiency goal of 40% (DOE targets).