Experimental investigations on a non-catalytic diesel autothermal reformer with reacting and non-reacting pre-mixer

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 48; no. 95; pp. 37183 - 37192
• Main Authors: Kumar, Ravinder, Haridasan, Mahesh M., Ahmad, Inzamam, Bhargav, Atul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 08.12.2023
• Subjects: Autothermal reforming; Commercial diesel; Cool flame; Non-catalytic reforming; Non-reacting pre-mixer; Non-catalytic reforming; Commercial diesel; Non-reacting pre-mixer; Autothermal reforming; Cool flame
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.06.125

Logistic fuels such as JP-8 diesel continue to hold importance as energy carriers for strategic applications due to their energy density and wide availability. For fuel cell system applications, such logistic fuels must be reformed on board to syngas; whereas, the catalytic reforming of commercial or military grade liquid fuels presents numerous challenges. In this study, we examine the possibility of increasing the conversion and energy efficiency of a non-catalytic diesel autothermal reformer by introducing a relatively homogenous mixture into the reactor. We achieve the mixing through two methods: one involving a reacting pre-mixer and the other with a non-reacting pre-mixer. Results demonstrate that a non-reacting pre-mixer enhances energy efficiency by up to 12% points, while increasing the conversion efficiency to nearly 88%. We expect further improvement in both conversion and energy efficiencies once design modifications are carried out to the pre-mixer such that lower residence times and higher ignition delays can be achieved. •Experiments on non-catalytic autothermal reformer with pre-mixer enhances efficiency.•Non-catalytic ATR can reform liquid fuel with sulfur, unlike catalytic reformers.•Results demonstrate that pre-mixer can significantly improve efficiency.