Comparison of reforming performance of JP-8 and HRJ-5 for fuel cell applications

A comparative study of fuel reformation using petroleum-based aviation jet fuel (JP-8) versus hydro-treated renewable jet fuel (HRJ-5) in an oxidative steam reforming process was performed in a single-tube reformer using a Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) Microlith® catalyst. The primary parameters compared during the study were reformate composition, carbon concentration in the effluent, and reforming efficiency versus catalyst temperature. This report illustrates an initial contrast between the reformation results for JP-8, a fossil fuel, as compared to HRJ-5, which is a plant-based fuel derivative. HRJ-5 showed improved fuel conversion with less carbon formation, higher reforming efficiency, and a lower catalyst operating temperature, as compared to 100% JP-8, and a 50%:50% blend of JP-8 and HRJ-5.