Fuel Processing: For Fuel Cells

Adopting a unique integrated engineering approach, this text covers all aspects of fuel processing: catalysts, reactors, chemical plant components and integrated system design. While providing an introduction to the subject, it also contains recent research developments, making this an invaluable handbook for chemical, power and process engineers, electrochemists, catalytic chemists, materials scientists and engineers in power technology.

Table of Contents:
INTRODUCTION AND OUTLINE FUNDAMENTALS Common Fossil Fuels Basic Definitions, Calculations and Legislation The Different Types of Fuel Cells and their Requirements to the Fuel Processor THE CHEMISTRY OF FUEL PROCESSING Steam Reforming Partial Oxidation Oxidative Steam Reforming or Autothermal Reforming Catalytic Cracking of Hydrocarbons Pre-Reforming of Higher Hydrocarbons Homogeneous Plasma Reforming of Higher Hydrocarbons Aqueous Reforming of Bio Fuels Processing of Alternative Fuels Desulphurization Carbon Monoxide Clean-Up Catalytic Combustion Coke Formation of Metal Surfaces CATALYST TECHNOLOGY FOR DISTRIBUTED FUEL PROCESSING APPLICATIONS A Brief Introduction to Catalysts Technology and Evaluation Reforming Catalysts Catalysts for Hydrogen Generation from Alternative Fuels Desulphurisation Catalysts / Adsorbents Carbon Monoxide Clean-Up Catalysts Combustions Catalysts FUEL PROCESSOR DESIGN CONCEPTS Design of the Reforming Process Design of the Carbon Monoxide Clean-Up Devices Aspects of Catalytic Combustion Design of the Overall Fuel Processor Comparison to Conventional Energy Supply Systems TYPES OF FUEL PROCESSING REACTORS Fixed Bed Reactors Monolithic Reactors Plate Heat-Exchanger Reactors APPLICATION OF FUEL PROCESSING REACTORS Reforming Reactors Water-Gas Shift Reactors Catalytic Carbon Monoxide Fine Clean-Up Membrane Separation Devices Catalytic Burners BALANCE-OF-PLANT COMPONENTS Heat-Exchangers Liquid Pumps Blowers and Compressors Feed Injection Systems Insulation Materials COMPLET FUEL PROCESSOR SYSTEMS Methanol Fuel Processors Ethanol Fuel Processors Natural Gas Fuel Processors Fuel Processors for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Gasoline Fuel Processors Diesel and Kerosine Fuel Processors Multi Fuel Processors Fuel Processors Based upon Alternative Fuels INTRODUCTION OF FUEL PROCESSORS INTO THE MARKET PLACE - COST AND PRODUCTION ISSUES Factors Affecting the Costs of Fuel Processors Production Techniques for Fuel Processors

About the Author :
Gunther Kolb, born 1963, was appointed Leader for Heterogeneous Catalysis and Process Engineering Group at the IMM in 2001. The group's activities are focused on fuel processing for fuel cells. He studied chemical engineering and obtained his Ph.D. in reaction engineering at the University of Erlangen in 1993, after which he joined the Federal Export Office in Eschborn to work on the implementation of the Chemical Weapon Convention. In 1995, he joined GRACE Davison Europe in Worms working as professional in the Catalyst Evaluation and Catalyst Development departments. He is the author of more than 20 publications in the fields of zeolite catalysis, supercritical fluids and fuel processing in microstructured devices.