Full-scale autothermal reforming for transport applications: The effect of diesel fuel quality

This study evaluates the feasibility of H2 production through a fuel flexible reformer, at realistic operating conditions for electricity supply by FC-APUs in the transport sector. The fuel flexibility is evaluated by comparison of autothermal reforming performance with biodiesel (RME), Fischer–Tropsch, low-sulfur diesel (MK1) and European standard diesel (DIN 590). ATR experiments with two monolithic catalysts, Rh1.0Pt1.0Ce10La10/Al2O3 (CAT 1) and Rh1.0Pt1.0Mg4.0Y5.0/CeO2–ZrO2 (CAT 2), sequentially placed in the axial direction of the reformer length were used for full-scale tests. The O2/C ratio was varied from 0.3 to 0.5 and the H2O/C ratio varied from 2 to 3.5, reaching temperatures in the interval of 700–800 °C. The hydrogen production and fuel conversion showed an upward trend from RME < DIN 590 < MK1 < FT with maximum 42 vol.% H2 and 99% fuel conversion for FT diesel.

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► Full-scale ATR experiments withmonolithic catalysts, RhPt based catalysts supported on Al2O3 (CAT 1) and CeO2–ZrO2 (CAT 2).
► CAT 1 and CAT 2 were sequentially placed in the axial direction of the reformer length and simultaneously tested.
► Fuel flexibility assessment with four diesel qualities FT diesel, MK1, DIN 590 and RME for H2 generation.
► The hydrogen production and fuel conversion increased from RME < DIN 590 < MK1 < FT.
► A maximum 42 vol.% H2 and 99% fuel conversion for FT diesel.