Polymer-electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems offer a potential
power source for utility and mobile applications. Practical fuel cell
systems use fuel processors for the production of hydrogen rich gas.
Liquid fuels, such as diesel or other related fuels, are attractive op
tions as feeds to a fuel processor. The generation of hydrogen gas for
fuel cells, in most cases, becomes the crucial design issue with resp
ect to weight and volume in these applications. Furthermore, these sys
tems will require a gas clean-up system to insure that the fuel qualit
y meets the demands of the cell anode. The endothermic nature of the r
eformer will have a significant affect on the overall system efficienc
y. The gas clean-up system may also significantly effect the overall h
eat balance. To optimize the performance of this integrated system, th
erefore, waste heat must be used effectively. Previously, we have conc
entrated on catalytic methanol-steam reforming. A model of a methanol
steam reformer has been previously developed and has been used as the
basis for a new, higher temperature model for liquid hydrocarbon fuels
. Similarly, our fuel cell evaluation program previously led to the de
velopment of a steady-state electrochemical fuel cell model (SSEM). Th
e hydrocarbon fuel processor model and the SSEM have now been incorpor
ated in the development of a process simulation of a 250 kW diesel-fue
led reformer/fuel cell system using a process simulator. The performan
ce of this system has been investigated for a variety of operating con
ditions and a preliminary assessment of thermal integration issues has
been carried out. This study demonstrates the application of a proces
s simulation model as a design analysis tool for the development of a
250 kW fuel cell system. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.