An Analysis of Hydrogen Production from FT Liquids for use in Fuel-Cell Systems

Methanol Steam Reforming for Hydrogen Production

“…Developers at Idatech, LLC (formerly Northwest Power Systems, LLC) have been reporting on fuel processors and complete power systems based on methanol reforming since as early as 1997 , and have developed an extensive patent portfolio around their systems, which incorporate high-pressure reforming with metal membrane purification of the hydrogen. − The Idatech reformer is a compact, integrated unit that includes a packed-bed steam reformer coupled with internal combustion and a selective membrane made of a proprietary Pd alloy. Downstream of the membrane, they have also included a catalytic methanation bed that catalytically removes any trace CO that may pass through the membrane. , …”

“…Downstream of the membrane, they have also included a catalytic methanation bed that catalytically removes any trace CO that may pass through the membrane. 286,290 U.S. Army CERDEC reported in 2004 the demonstration of an Idatech unit operating on methanol/water and providing 2 kW for a silent watch application. 39 The unit was somewhat ruggedized and mounted on top of a command and control combat vehicle (see Figure 19), where it was used in somewhat realistic environments of wind, dust, cold, heat, and vibration.…”