SBIR-STTR Award

Acumentrics proposes to utilize the unique properties of bio-fuel to deliver an integral reformer system that will directly utilize the thermal and electrochemical effect of the fuel cell through Acumentrics tubular technology. This intimate contact with the fuel cell will levelize heat transfer and supply energy for reforming, enabling the reduction of air-supplied oxygen to the system. With Acumentrics knowledge of 10kW operations, it will be shown that this unique bio-fuel system will supply over 40%LHV net efficiency. This Phase I proposal will describe an aggressive pathway to proving this technological breakthrough, demonstrating a major first step to the build of a 10kW fuel cell building block operating on bio-fuel.

Benefit:
This system will enable the direct utilization of bio-fuels in Acumentrics commercial remote power systems. This will provide an environmentally sound low carbon emission customer option for remote power that is expected to grow significantly in subsequent years.

Keywords:
environment, environment, Reformer, 10kW, tubular, remote power, efficiency, Bio-fuel, Fuel Cell

Acumentrics is developing a new reformer system capable of significantly increasing efficiency while reducing components, component cost, and system complexity. This proposal applies that system to biofuel as well as other fuels as the technology is scaled up from small units in order to develop an experimentally justified 10kW design.

Benefit:
Development of this unit will enable Acumentrics to provide a new liquid fuel (diesel) RP product for sale to the rapidly expanding customer base. Such a direct commercial application is expected to help enable military unit development which require more rigorous MIL STD testing.

Keywords:
Power, Reformer, Reactor, Biofuel, Fuel Cell