Development of a subscale hydrogen generator unit for SOFC as APU for naval applications

This paper covers the current activities at the CNR-ITAE aimed to developing a diesel steam reforming (SR) Hydrogen Generator based unit, dedicated to a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) in a power range until 1 kWe, to support auxiliary power units (APUs) for naval applications. The unit will is able to convert n-dodecane, as a diesel surrogate, with a nominal syngas production of 0.5 Nm3/h and a maximum hydrogen production of 1.5 Nm3/h. The prototype is based on an integrated packed bed catalytic tubular reactor, filled with pellet catalysts. In the preliminary laboratory scale tests, dodecane conversion of 99,9 %, in absence of by products, have been evidenced; the H2/CO molar ratio in the reformed gas reaches a value of 3.8.