Plasma Catalyzed JP-8 Reformer Development for Military 10kW SOFC APU

The need for efficient and quiet power generation on military vehicles, from JP-8 fuel, is well know. The difficulty in reforming and processing JP-8 to fuel cell quality hydrogen or reformate is delaying the implementation of fuel cell technology in a package that meets military operational requirements. Ceramatec, with the support of the US Army (TACOM-TARDEC) is leading the development a fuel processing system to address this need. Ceramatec, the Drexel Plasma Institute, Auburn University and Intramicron are working together to address the process and system integration of a plasma catalyzed reformer and desulfurization system within an SOFC APU. The system design strategy, packaging, subsystem advances, operational results and outstanding challenges will be presented.