HYDROGEN FROM LIQUID HYDROCARBONS FOR FUEL CELLS

General aspects of high-temperature steam reforming, partial oxidation, and low-temperature steam reforming processes are discussed for hydrogen generation from liquid hydrocarbons. For each process, examples of possible hydrogeneration-fuel cell systems are selected and theoretical overall efficiency calculations are made. For convenience, calculations are based on n-hexane. Results indicate that overall efficiencies higher than 40 percent are unlikely. In the last portion of the paper, a more outlined description is given of the Institute of Gas Technology method for hydrogen generation. Typical overall system efficiencies which might be expected from this approach lie between 25 and 35 percent.