AFRL Researchers Demonstrate Fuel Cell Powered With JP-8 Published Dec. 12, 2006 By Plans and Programs Directorate AFRL/XP WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, -- AFRL researchers demonstrated a planar solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) running on logistic fuel (JP-8) to the US Army Corps of Engineers. The device that made this demonstration possible is the logistic fuel processor (LFP), developed at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. The LFP, which uses steam reforming technology to convert JP-8 into fuel suitable for the SOFC, permits the use of a reliable and easily operated fuel cell power system as an alternative to current mobile electric power (MEP) units. Forward-deployed basic expeditionary airfield resource (BEAR) bases use MEP-12 generators to provide power base-wide. Deploying this equipment requires four transport aircraft and 4,000 gal of fuel per day, a severe burden to an already stressed air fleet. Seeking an alternative to the MEP-12 generators, AFRL researchers explored the feasibility of using an LFP to convert JP-8+100 fuel to the hydrogen-rich gas needed to fuel a fuel cell power system. A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device that converts hydrogen and oxygen into electricity and water. The research team developed a fuel processing technology that completely converts JP-8 jet fuel and diesel fuel to hydrogen-rich gas with an 81% conversion efficiency while removing the sulfur and eliminating the impact of aromatics. These results will lead to the use of fuel cells for MEP generation at forward-deployed BEAR bases. Fuel cells operating on JP-8+100 fuel will generate electric power with greater efficiency, lower noise and vibration signatures, and reduced maintenance requirements compared to current diesel generators. Furthermore, the decreased size and weight of LFP fuel cell systems relative to diesel units will permit a significant reduction in overall airlift requirements for future BEAR base installations.