10.2190/NJG1-0PF4-H9H4-VXN4 NJG10PF4H9H4VXN4 2 The Autogenous Hydrogen Automobile 267 275 20020509 20020509 20020509 20020509 NJG10PF4H9H4VXN4.pdf http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=NJG10PF4H9H4VXN4 4 Richard D. Williams Gregory A. Lorton Department of Chemical Engineering College of Mines, University of Arizona C. F. Braun & Company, Alhambra, California The first phase of a feasibility study for the incorporation of catalytic steam reforming reactors into mobile power plant fuel systems has been completed. Two laboratory prototype reformers were used to steam reform hexane feedstock to fuel gas mixtures consisting of H₂, CH₄, CO, and CO₂. Above 485°C conversion was found to be equilibrium (rather than kinetically) controlled by the methane reforming and water gas shift reactions. Reactors used were 1) a 9" long section of 2" stainless steel pipe, and 2) a 5" long section of 3-1/4" stainless steel pipe. In both cases the reactors were filled with Girdler 5/8" raschig ring nickel reforming catalyst. Reactor residence times near .01 seconds allowed complete conversion of hexane to theoretically predicted equilibrium product distributions. Experimental hydrogen composition in the fuel gas generated at 2.5 atm with a steam to carbon ratio of 2.56 ranged from .38 to .68 mole per cent (dry basis) at temperatures of 485°C and 695°C respectively. The equivalent reactor volume required to provide fuel gas at a rate sufficient to power a medium sized car at 60 mph is estimated to be on the order of 0.2 cubic feet. Additional size reduction may be realized with more active reforming catalysts especially considering that operation was not found to be kinetically controlled. R. C. Lee, and D. B. Wimmer, "Exhaust Emission Abatement by Fuel Variations to Produce Lean Combustion," SAE National Fuels and Lubricants Meeting, Paper 680769, Tulsa, Okla., Oct. 1968. R. C. Murray, and R. J. Schoeppel, "Emission and Performance Characteristics of an Air-Breathing Hydrogen-Fueled Internal Combustion Engine," 1971 Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference Proceedings, Boston, Mass., Aug. 1971. R. J. Schoeppel, "Prospects for Hydrogen-Fueled Vehicles," <i>Chemtech</i>, August, 1972. R. G. Murray, R. C. Schoeppel, and C. L. Gray, "The Hydrogen Engine in Perspective," 1972 Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference Proceedings, San Diego, Cal., Sept. 1972. D. B. Eccleston, and R. D. Fleming, "Clean Automotive Fuel," Bureau of Mines Automotive Emissions Program, Tech. Progress Report 46, Bartlesville, Okla., Feb. 1972. M. R. Swain, and R. R. Adt, "The Hydrogen-Air Fueled Automobile," 1972 Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference Proceedings, San Diego, Cal., Sept. 1972. R. E. Billings, and F. E. Lynch, "History of Hydrogen-Fueled Internal Combustion Engines," Report No. 73001, Energy Research Co., Provo, Utah, 1973. R. E. Billings, and F. E. Lynch, "Performance and Nitric Oxide Control Parameters of the Hydrogen Engine," Report No. 73002, Energy Research Co., Provo, Utah, 1973. W. J. Kerwin, and R. D. Williams, "Fossil Fuel Resource Conservation by Reformation Utilizing Waste Energy," Proposal to NSF-RANN, Depts. of Electrical and Chemical Engineering, University of Arizona, June 1972. G. A. Lorton, "Steam-Hydrocarbon Reforming for Lower Polluting Automotive Fuels," M. S. Thesis, University of Arizona, 1973.