Dynamic response of a methanol reformer for transport: real time simulator and experimental validation

Objective

The fuel most likely to be used in fuel cell driven cars is methanol. It

The main experimental tasks will be:
1. Catalysts formulation for methanol steam reformer and carbon monoxide methanation: selective methanation will be preferred to partial oxidation of CO. A number of new formulations will be characterized and tested.
2. Mathematical modelling of the whole system 3. Optimization of components: instruments, control system and system lay-out, to reach compact and light reformer with fast response time.

4. Test runs at transient and steady state conditions.

5. Validation of the simulator: the data obtained with the reformer test runs and single components performances will be interpreted by the simulator and converted into information for further optimization.
The real-time simulator will be a modular package developed by ARI from a commercial mathematical code to facilitate modelling of the dynamics of methanol reformer system.

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering › electronic engineering › control systems
• natural sciences › chemical sciences › inorganic chemistry › inorganic compounds
• natural sciences › chemical sciences › organic chemistry › alcohols
• engineering and technology › environmental engineering › energy and fuels › fuel cells
• natural sciences › mathematics › applied mathematics › mathematical model

Programme(s)

• FP3-JOULE 2 - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of non-nuclear energy, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

• 040302 - Fuel cell and battery driven electrical vehicles

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

ANSALDO RICERCHE SPA*

Address

Corso Perrone 25
16152 Genova
Italy

Participants (4)

STAZIONE SPERIMENTALE PER I COMBUSTIBILI SPA

Italy

Address

Viale Alcide De Gasperi 3
20097 San Donato Milanese

Tecnologie Avanzate, Ricerca e Sviluppo SrL

Italy

Address

Via Pionieri Del Commercio Barese
70123 Bari

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK

Ireland

Address

Plassey Technological Park
61 Limerick

Universidad de Barcelona

Spain

Address

Zona Universitaria De Pedralbes
08028 Barcelona