You are here

Development of a Butanol Fuel Processor for Person-Portable Fuel Cell Power Systems

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Army
Contract: W911NF-11-C-0015
Agency Tracking Number: A10A-009-0168
Amount: $99,868.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: A10A-T009
Solicitation Number: 2010.A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2010
Award Year: 2010
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2010-10-15
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2011-04-13
Small Business Information
3 Great Pasture Rd.
Danbury, CT 06813
United States
DUNS: 050627884
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Stephen Jolly
 System Design Engineer
 (203) 830-7519
 sjolly@fce.com
Business Contact
 Ross Levine, Esq.
Title: Dir., Gvmt Contracts & Corp. Legal
Phone: (203) 825-6057
Email: rlevine@fce.com
Research Institution
 University of Minnesota
 Lanny Schmidt
 
151 Amundson Hall 421 Washington Ave. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
United States

 (612) 625-9391
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

FuelCell Energy, Inc., in collaboration with the University of Minnesota, is proposing to develop an innovative fuel processor for person-portable fuel cell power system applications. The system will be designed to reform butanol into a hydrogen-rich stream suitable for use in a low-temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The technical approach will focus on the development of a novel catalyst for the partial oxidation of butanol. Thermodynamic analyses will be performed to define the optimal system operating conditions, such as temperature(s) and air to fuel ratio(s). The catalyst design will be optimized and demonstrated in a laboratory-scale environment. A scaled-up fuel processor system design will be developed to supply a 75W PEM fuel cell with high-purity hydrogen for at least 72 hours. Integrated, multi-staged catalyst and heat transfer sections are envisioned to create a lightweight and compact package. 3-D Computer Aided Design (CAD) modeling will be performed to visualize and optimize the size and weight of the system. Results of this study will be applied to a more detailed design, development, and demonstration effort in Phase II.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government