Department of Systems and Control

Jožef Stefan Institute

Kerapro - Ceramic processor for reforming the logistic fuel

Principal investigator:

dr. Marko Hrovat, Electronic Ceramic Department , Jozef Stefan Institute

Duration:

October 15, 2007 - October 15, 2010

Funding:

Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia

Abstract

The project "Kerapro" is focused to the design of miniature fuel reformer, used to produce hydrogen by reforming of logistic fuel, such as diesel and methanol. Reformer represents a hydrogen supply for fuel cell with electric power of a few hundreds of Watts. Reformer in connection with fuel cell represents a miniature and portable electric source, which uses logistic fuel, water and air as input consumables. The design goal is to achieve energy density higher than in case of modern rechargeable batteries. Further expected benefits are silent operation and low thermal footprint. In the project only the reformer is designed, while fuel cell is outside the scope of the project. The system can be used as energy source in various military applications and generally in all cases, where there is a demand for portable and autonomous electric energy source.

Main system components represent catalytic reforming reactor, vaporizer, catalytic burner/heater and control system with sensors and devices for dosage of input reactants. Reformer will be implemented as a monolith LTCC ceramic structure. Structure will be designed and fabricated by the Electronic Ceramic Department (Jozef Stefan Institute) and the company Hipot. National Institute of Chemistry, Slovenia is in charge for the development of optimal catalyst for reforming as well as for the process of the deposition of the catalyst to the ceramic surface. The Department of Systems and Control (Jozef Stefan Institute) prepared integrated experimental environment for testing of the reformer components and it is also in charge for the development of the control system.