Diesel Reformer and Diesel Reformer and SOFC DemonstrationSOFC Demonstration

AETDL Annual ReviewAETDL Annual Review

January 22, 2007January 22, 2007

Dennis WitmerDennis Witmer

Program Objective (2004)Program Objective (2004)

Remote power applications require use of Remote power applications require use of hydrocarbon fuels, preferably diesel fuelhydrocarbon fuels, preferably diesel fuel

SOFC development has been aided by the DOE SOFC development has been aided by the DOE SECA programSECA program

Diesel reformer development proceeding for on Diesel reformer development proceeding for on board fuel reforming for vehiclesboard fuel reforming for vehicles

Best diesel reformer technology and best fuel Best diesel reformer technology and best fuel cell not from same companycell not from same company

This project to bring together SOFC and diesel This project to bring together SOFC and diesel reformer in laboratory breadboard systemreformer in laboratory breadboard system

Program HistoryProgram History Acumentrics selected as fuel cell supplierAcumentrics selected as fuel cell supplier SOFCo diesel reforming technologySOFCo diesel reforming technology Initial demonstration at INEEL, using 500 kW Initial demonstration at INEEL, using 500 kW

Navy program reformerNavy program reformer INEEL diesel reformer never operated in a INEEL diesel reformer never operated in a

stable manner during demo period, could not stable manner during demo period, could not supply fuel cell (October 2004)supply fuel cell (October 2004)

On second attempt (March, 2005) successful On second attempt (March, 2005) successful operation with small scale SOFCo reformeroperation with small scale SOFCo reformer

Operated on low sulfur diesel and FT synthetic Operated on low sulfur diesel and FT synthetic diesel fueldiesel fuel

Program HistoryProgram History

Acumentrics fuel cell shipped to Fairbanks to Acumentrics fuel cell shipped to Fairbanks to operate on Natural Gas (April 2005)operate on Natural Gas (April 2005)

Unit failed after approximately 20 hours of Unit failed after approximately 20 hours of operation Fairbanksoperation Fairbanks

Acumentrics did not seem interested in Acumentrics did not seem interested in restarting unit (Summer, 2005)restarting unit (Summer, 2005)

Acumentrics stack redesign in Fall 2005 resulted Acumentrics stack redesign in Fall 2005 resulted in significant performance improvementin significant performance improvement

Offered to rebuild system with new improved Offered to rebuild system with new improved stack stack

Our old stack with failed tubeOur old stack with failed tube

Progress in 2006Progress in 2006

Fuel cell shipped back to Acumentrics Fuel cell shipped back to Acumentrics factory in April 2006factory in April 2006

Stack rebuild done in Fall 2006Stack rebuild done in Fall 2006 Factory acceptance test conducted in first Factory acceptance test conducted in first

week of December, 2006week of December, 2006 Unit performed well in FAT, crated and Unit performed well in FAT, crated and

shipped to Fairbanksshipped to Fairbanks

New Stack ConfigurationNew Stack Configuration

Recent ProgressRecent Progress

Unit installed in Bidwell Avenue facility in Unit installed in Bidwell Avenue facility in early Januaryearly January

Started on January 4, 2007Started on January 4, 2007 Operated for 40 hours before shutdown on Operated for 40 hours before shutdown on

faulty voltage signalfaulty voltage signal Also CO monitors in building indicated Also CO monitors in building indicated

elevated levels (35-45 ppm)elevated levels (35-45 ppm) Heat recover coil pluggedHeat recover coil plugged Internet connection not completedInternet connection not completed

Cell Voltages Cell Voltages

Voltages

-1.5

-1

-0.5

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

1/5/2007 4:48 1/5/2007 9:36 1/5/2007 14:24 1/5/2007 19:12 1/6/2007 0:00 1/6/2007 4:48 1/6/2007 9:36 1/6/2007 14:24

Time

Volts

V_01

V_02

V_03_04

V_05

V_06

V_07

V_08

V_09_10

V_11

V_12

V_13

V_14

V_15_16

V_17

V_18

V_19

V_20

V_21_22

V_23

V_24

V_25

V_26

V_27_28

V_29

V_30

V_31

V_32

V_33_34

V_35

Recent Progress (cont)Recent Progress (cont)

Repairs to unit completed 1/19/2007Repairs to unit completed 1/19/2007 Unit restarted this weekUnit restarted this week Hope to achieve long term run comparable Hope to achieve long term run comparable

to FCT operationto FCT operation

Diesel ReformerDiesel Reformer Phase 2 work is intended to automate the diesel Phase 2 work is intended to automate the diesel

reformer demonstrated at INEEL in March 2005reformer demonstrated at INEEL in March 2005 SOFCo is in the process of being purchased by SOFCo is in the process of being purchased by

another company (Rolls Royce Fuel Cell another company (Rolls Royce Fuel Cell Division)Division)

Intention is still to honor contract for diesel Intention is still to honor contract for diesel reformer programreformer program

Discussion at beginning of September indicated Discussion at beginning of September indicated that negotiations should be completed in 6 that negotiations should be completed in 6 weeks weeks

Subaward still not signedSubaward still not signed

And the Plot ThickensAnd the Plot Thickens

Acumentrics has developed a diesel Acumentrics has developed a diesel reformer program of their ownreformer program of their own

Evaluating reformers from Inovatec and a Evaluating reformers from Inovatec and a second company second company

Are looking for funding ($450K) to Are looking for funding ($450K) to complete an integrated systemcomplete an integrated system

The Demise of FCTThe Demise of FCT

Fuel Cell Technologies of Kingston, Fuel Cell Technologies of Kingston, Ontario shut its doors October 18, 2006Ontario shut its doors October 18, 2006

Some employees may be moving over to Some employees may be moving over to Acumentrics in BostonAcumentrics in Boston

Project SummaryProject Summary

Success on Propane operation at Exit Success on Propane operation at Exit GlacierGlacier

Success in SECA type stack at Exit Success in SECA type stack at Exit Glacier and in SECA stack at Acumentrics Glacier and in SECA stack at Acumentrics in Bostonin Boston

Long term stack performance data Long term stack performance data expected from Fairbanks demo unit. expected from Fairbanks demo unit.