With the high probability of introducing renewable fuels such as synthetic fuels, biodiesel, and syngas into commercial and military markets, the stakes are high to find an electric generator technology that can adequately and efficiently utilize these fuels and meet the EO 13423 and the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Direct steam reforming process converts hydrocarbon fuels to hydrogen rich gas to power fuel cell electric generators. There are many applications for fuel cell electric generators. For example, an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) can provide secondary power for start up of larger aircraft main engines or provide power to large trucks' cabins during stops to run air conditioning and refrigerator equipment to minimize CO2 emissions. Distributed power generation where quiet electric generators are distributed to strategic locations to provide power to residential subdivisions and industrial compounds to cut down on transmission costs, losses, and emissions are applications that well suit fuel cell technology. For practical reasons, these power generators would use the fuel available in the applications. APUs will use the same fuel of the main engine: jet fuel (kerosene) in the case of aircrafts, diesel or biodiesel in the case of large trucks, while distributed power fuel cells will use available fuel such as natural gas (methane) or propane. The ability to reform a multitude of fuels can accelerate the introduction of the more efficient and quiet fuel cell electric generators into power applications.

The direct steam reforming components are divided among three major groups: sulfur removal, steam reforming, and balance of plant. This paper will discuss the results of the direct steam reforming technology in reforming of JP-8, synthetic jet fuel (S-8), diesel, biodiesel, and propane. While in some applications a compact unit is a must, the impact of thin-film catalysis on the performance of fuel processing unit will be introduced.