Novel Adsorbents for Desulfurization of High Sulfur Battlefield Fuels

The major drawback to the use of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells as auxiliary power units (APUs) by deployed forces is their inability to directly use battlefield fuels. PEM systems require clean, essentially sulfur-free hydrogen to prevent the poisoning of the anode catalyst. Unfortunately, battlefield fuels (i.e., NATO-76, JP-8) contain high levels of refractory sulfur species (up to 1% wt.), which need to be removed by advanced fuel processing technologies. TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) proposes to develop a novel sorbent based desulfurization system, an integral part of a compact and efficient fuel processor to produce a clean hydrogen feed from high sulfur fuels. In Phase I, we will develop a high capacity, regenerable adsorbent and demonstrate that its potential to reduce the sulfur content of the fuel to sub ppm levels tolerable by PEM fuel cells. We will show the long-term durability and regeneration capability of the sorbent under representative conditions. Based on experimental data, we will also carry out preliminary design of a desulfurization system integrated to a fuel processor that can deliver the hydrogen required to operate a 5 kW fuel cell APU.