(83v) Reforming of J.P.-8 in Microplasmas for Compact SOFC Power: Year 1

The military is seeking efficient, portable, compact power sources to lighten the soldier's load which is currently dominated by the weight of batteries. As advances in weapons, communications, computation, vision, and position systems develop so does the need for reusable compact power sources. Compact fuel cells powered by reformed JP-8 logistical fuel would meet these requirements.

The overall focus of this research is to understand the nature of the interaction of JP-8 within a microplasma (a plasma confined within microscale geometry). To date we have designed and fabricated microplasma reactor chips having different channel geometries using silicon microfabrication technology. Tests of the various reactor geometries have been done with inert gases such as xenon, neon and nitrogen to determine the most efficient design for sustaining a well-distributed, stable plasma. After testing the microreactors to determine plasma efficiency, reaction experiments will be run with key components of JP-8 fuel. We will measure conversions of these components in plasma activated steam reforming, in order to understand what factors are most important for producing hydrogen-rich reformates suitable for fuel cell processing. We plan to present initial results from these chemistry experiments.