Technology Description

This project will feature an innovative fueling approach for the on-site production of hydrogen using a steam methane reformer. The 1/10-scale reformer will produce enough hydrogen to support between 5 and 20 FCVs. The technology typically produces hydrogen from natural gas using the following three-step process: 1) steam reforming, 2) water-gas shift, and 3) purification. With steam reforming, natural gas reacts with steam at high temperatures and pressures in the presence of a catalyst. The resulting syngas is a mixture of hydrogen (H₂), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), oxygen (O₂), and water (H₂O). Next, this mixture undergoes a water/gas shift reaction to convert the remaining H₂O and CO into H₂ and CO₂ . Lastly, the mixture is purified to bring the H₂ content to 99.99% or greater. Although steam methane reformers have been built over a wide range of sizes, the cost of conventional designs favor large industrial applications. Industrial-sized systems are not practical for fueling vehicles. Recent innovations have led to compact designs with lower costs while maintaining hydrogen purity and low CO levels in the exhaust stream. Manufacturers also have reduced operating temperature and pressure extremes, allowing the use of lower cost materials. Assuming mass production, the costs of compact reformers are projected to be competitive with industrial-sized systems.