Investigation of Propane Micro-Scale Thermal Partial Oxidation for Syngas Production

Abstract Solid oxide fuel cells have been explored as one method of high efficiency power generation with potential for zero emissions, but challenges remain with fuel flexibility, system integration and reforming. Recent research in micro-scale thermal partial oxidation has shown promise for high fuel flexibility as hydrocarbons are reformed into syngas (i.e., H2 and CO), which can then integrate directly with SOFCs to produce power. In this paper, propane fuel is mixed with air at different equivalence ratios and the partial oxidation reactions are investigated at different reactor wall temperatures and flow rates. This study is completed using a hydrogen burner, which results in a small residence time for the oxidation reaction. Thermal radiation generated from the reaction is captured using a camera and the exhaust gas is analyzed using a gas chromatograph. Mass flow controllers are used to control the volume flow rate of propane and air entering the heated reactor tube. Flame images are used to identify different reaction regimes (weak flame, normal flame, and flame with repetitive extinction and ignition) across the range of selected variables and to create a regime map. Gas chromatograph data is used to track concentrations of different gases such as hydrogen, carbon oxides, and other gases in the exhaust of the reaction. High ethylene concentrations are detected and the implications of this gas are discussed. The results from this study are compared to previous results for syngas production with propane as the fuel with larger residence times. Chemical equilibrium analysis is used to compare propane with other liquid and gaseous fuels for its ability to be used to produce syngas for SOFC applications.