Papers by Keyword: Microreformer

Abstract: With advances in micro fuel cell development, the production of hydrogen for micro reformer has become increasingly important. However, some problems regarding the micro reformer are yet to be resolved. These include reducing the size, reducing the quantity of CO and combining the fuel cell, among others. Accordingly, in this investigation, a micro temperature sensor and a heater are combined inside a stainless steel-based micro reformer to measure and control the temperature and thus improve performance and minimize the concentration of CO. In this work, micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) of the micro channel type are fabricated on a stainless steel substrate to enhance the methanol conversion ratio. The micro temperature sensor and heater are made of gold and placed inside the micro reformer. Although the micro temperature sensor and heater have already been used to measure and control temperature in numerous fields, they have not been employed in micro reformer and commercial products. Therefore, this study presents a new approach for integrating a micro temperature sensor and heater in a stainless steel-based micro reformer to minimize the size and improve performance.

Abstract: With advances in micro fuel cell development, the production of hydrogen for micro reformer has become increasingly important. However, some problems regarding the micro reformer are yet to be resolved. These include reducing the size, reducing the quantity of CO and combining the fuel cell, among others. Accordingly, in this investigation, array micro temperature sensors and heaters were combined within a silicon-based micro reformer to measure and control the temperature and thus improve performance and minimize the concentration of CO. In this work, micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) of the micro channel type were fabricated on a silicon substrate to enhance the methanol conversion ratio. Array micro temperature sensors and heaters were made of platinum and placed inside the micro reformer. Although the micro temperature sensor and heater have already been used to measure and control temperature in numerous fields, they have not been employed in micro reformer and commercial products. Therefore, this study presents a new approach for combining array micro temperature sensors and heaters within a silicon-based micro reformer to minimize the size and improve performance.

Abstract: This investigation considers the development of microchannel reactors with catalystcoated walls for fuel-processing applications. In particular, the focus is to study the possibility of direct etching of microchannels into aluminum and alumina using a solid-state UV laser. Microchannels of a scale between 10μm-200μm across and 10μm-100μm have been ablated into aluminum and alumina bases. It was found that single scans resulted in narrow channels (20μm- 30μm in width) with shapes described by a Gaussian-like distribution. Multiple scans allowed fabrication of channels with a larger width, but of a similar depth. The surface quality was observed to be quite uneven, with roughness on the order of 1μm-2μm.