N112-160 TITLE: Purification of Biogas for Fuel Cells

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Materials/Processes

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: OASN(EI&E) - Energy [Non-ACAT]

OBJECTIVE: Design a low-cost regenerative gas purifier to be utilized with fuel cells for conversion of industrial landfulll or waste water treatment plant biogas to electrical power. The purifier should be compatible with a 2-5kW commercially available fuel cell of the proposer's choice. The purifier should be regenerative and capable of removing chlorinated compounds, sulfur compuounds as well as other compounds according to chosen fuel cell specification for a minimum of 2,000 continuous hours of operation with zero maintenance and must be capable of being removed, cleaned and returned to service at the operational site.

DESCRIPTION: Industrial landfills and commercial water treatment plants produce biogas through the anerobic digestion of solid organic materials. The biogas is a potential source of renewable energy that can be efficiently converted to electrical power through the use of fuel cells. For optimal fuel cell life and performance it is imperative to first purify the gas to remove compounds that lead to fuel cell degradation and shortened lifetime. The purification method chosen should operate at one (1) atmosphere pressure and be re-usable with a simple scheme for attachment/removal.

PHASE I: Develop a conceptual innovative purifier system for a chosen 2-5kW fuel cell with capabilities as described above, and demonstrate purifier technology at a laboratory scale.

PHASE II: Build purifier and demonstrate continuous operation with an appropriate fuel cell.

PHASE III: Demonstrate purifier operation in a a relevant operational setting. Demonstrate the ability to reuse.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: These systems would have application to both remote civilian and military applications where water treatment plants are in use or industrial landfills are in operation.

REFERENCES:
1. http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov

2. http://www.eere.energy.gov

3. http://dodfuelcell.cecer.army.mil/rd/waste-to-energy.php

KEYWORDS: fuel cells, biogas; alternative energy; gas purification; waste-to-energy; methane

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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