Hydrogen is an energy source for a fuel cell power generation system. It can be continuously produced if sustainable and renewable fuels (such as alcohols, vegetable oils, and used cooking oils) are used. Thermal plasma hydrogen reformer (H 2 -Reformer), which has fuel-flexible and high volume production capabilities, is a critical key component for production of hydrogen as energy use. We have developed such a 1-kWe H 2 -Reformer that effectively reforms different types of renewable energy sources and water. Technically it is basically a steam reforming of hydrocarbons using thermal plasma. No catalysts are used in the reformation. The reformation is very effective for heavy hydrocarbon fuels.In the paper, an integrated unit of 1-kWe fuel processing system was constructed. The theoretical data are calculated based on thermal equilibrium calculations. The experimental conditions were also based on the optimal conditions for producing total SOFC fuel from thermal equilibrium calculations. Experimental tests were performed in a temperature range from 400 C o to 750 C o using ethanol as energy source. The experimental test data have good fit with the theoretical data. An optimal design was achieved by combining ECU for system controls, available software tool for optimal operational conditions at different operational parameters, and analytical laboratory capability for quality control of reformate stream.
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