Srinivas Palanki - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Srinivas Palanki

Research paper thumbnail of Torque Control of a Robotic Vehicle Based on Predicted Road Profile 1

Vehicular speed control using standard cruise control is good only when the road profile is unifo... more Vehicular speed control using standard cruise control is good only when the road profile is uniformly smooth throughout; such a controller is essentially reactive in the sense that it responds after the speed has changed primarily because of the changing road profile. When the road pro- file is corrugated and has bumps, it is necessary to predict this profile well

Research paper thumbnail of Parameter and state variation estimation for multi-equilibria nonlinear systems using a "stacked" model structure

Proceedings of the 2001 American Control Conference. (Cat. No.01CH37148), 2001

ABSTRACT To obtain optimal performance in a controlled system, it is important to have accurate k... more ABSTRACT To obtain optimal performance in a controlled system, it is important to have accurate knowledge of the system parameters and equilibrium points. For some nonlinear systems, such as a Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR), most of the operation of the system is at equilibrium points, and so this paper considers estimation of the parameter variations of a system from their assumed values using steady-state data from selected equilibrium points. It is known that the data from one equilibrium point is not always sufficiently rich to yield information about each parameter variation. This always occurs, for example, if the number of sensors is less than the number of parameters. Hence, this paper shows how the data from several equilibrium points may be fed into an extended Kalman filter based on a "stacked" model to obtain more accurate estimation of the parameter variations of the system. The results are applied to a CSTR, and it is seen that the data from four appropriately chosen equilibrium points is sufficiently rich to accurately estimate the parameter variations

Research paper thumbnail of Reprint of: Analysis of radial flow reformer for fuel cell applications

Chemical Engineering and Processing Process Intensification, Jul 1, 2010

ABSTRACT In this paper, the performance of a radial flow reformer is analyzed. Fundamental princi... more ABSTRACT In this paper, the performance of a radial flow reformer is analyzed. Fundamental principles of reaction engineering are utilized to design this reactor where methane is reformed to produce sufficient hydrogen to generate 20W of power in a fuel cell. It is shown that the radial flow geometry leads to modest pressure drop. The reactor operates at a pressure of 150kPa, a steam to methane ratio of 3 and an inlet temperature of 848K and is able to generate sufficient hydrogen for 20W of power. The heat duty required for the reformer is approximately 43% of the power generated.

Research paper thumbnail of 334006 Linking Community College Students to Engineering

This project presents the results of an NSF grant to support transfer students from community col... more This project presents the results of an NSF grant to support transfer students from community colleges to the University of South Alabama. It will be shown how this project stimulated enrollment, enhanced retention in engineering programs at the University, and increased the technical work force in the Mobile area. The targeted community colleges have large minority populations and many first generation students. In particular, this project addresses financial barriers of minority community college students by providing scholarships each year to students from area community colleges. The students were placed in learning communities and provided with faculty and student mentors and academic support systems. Participants interacted with K-12 students, broadening the impact of the program. Data on the "what worked" and "what did not work" will be presented and a rational methodology for facilitating the transition from community college to the university will be dis...

Research paper thumbnail of AIM AT NANOTEC

In the past 15 years the field of nanotechnology has matured to the level where devices based on ... more In the past 15 years the field of nanotechnology has matured to the level where devices based on nanotechnology are emerging and making an impact to today’s society. This field is truly interdisciplinary and requires a synthesis of knowledge from science and engineering principles to develop nanotechnology devices. In this talk, we demonstrate how recent innovations in engineering education, coupled with video creation technology, can be used to develop a set of modules that can be integrated into several sophomore, junior and senior level core courses in three different engineering departments (Chemical & Biomolecular, Mechanical, and Electrical & Computer Engineering). The modules are developed by faculty members who have research experience in nanotechnology and are integrated seamlessly with material covered in core engineering courses. Each of these modules involves problem solving skills at the levels of knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation...

Research paper thumbnail of 279428 Using Podcasts to Teach Nanotechnology Across Three Engineering Departments

In the past 15 years the field of nanotechnology has matured to the level where devices based on ... more In the past 15 years the field of nanotechnology has matured to the level where devices based on nanotechnology are emerging and making an impact to today’s society. This field is truly interdisciplinary and requires a synthesis of knowledge from science and engineering principles to develop nanotechnology devices. In this talk, we present our experience in utilizing recent innovations in engineering education, coupled with video creation technology, to develop a set of modules that can be integrated into several sophomore, junior and senior level core courses in three different engineering departments (Chemical & Biomolecular, Mechanical, and Electrical & Computer Engineering). The modules were developed by faculty members who have research experience in nanotechnology and were integrated with material covered in core engineering courses. Each of these modules involves problem solving skills at the levels of knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation....

Research paper thumbnail of End-point optimization of batch chemical processes

42nd IEEE International Conference on Decision and Control (IEEE Cat. No.03CH37475), 2003

Batch and semi-batch processes are of considerable importance in the batch chemical industry. In ... more Batch and semi-batch processes are of considerable importance in the batch chemical industry. In the face of increased competition, process optimization provides a unified framework for reducing production costs, meeting safety requirements and environmental regulations, improving product quality, reducing product variability, and ease of scaleup [Bonvin, 1988]. In this paper, a numerical optimization approach is developed that utilizes a dynamic model to determine analytically, the structure of the optimal solution. This approach is tested via simulation of end-point optimization problems in two semi-batch chemical reactors.

Research paper thumbnail of State feedback synthesis for on-line optimization in the presence of measurable disturbances

Proceedings of 1995 American Control Conference - ACC'95, 1995

In this paper, state feedback laws are developed for online optimization of batch reactors in the... more In this paper, state feedback laws are developed for online optimization of batch reactors in the presence of measurable disturbances. Pontryagin's minimum principle is used to derive the first order necessary conditions of optimality. Then the optimal state feedback laws are derived by eliminating the adjoint variables from the first order necessary conditions. System Lie brackets are defined to express

Research paper thumbnail of End-point optimization of single-reaction systems

Proceedings of the 2005, American Control Conference, 2005., 2005

ABSTRACT Batch and semi-batch processes are of considerable importance in the batch chemical indu... more ABSTRACT Batch and semi-batch processes are of considerable importance in the batch chemical industry. In the face of increased competition, process optimization provides a unified framework for reducing production costs, meeting safety requirements and environmental regulations, improving product quality, reducing product variability, and ease of scale-up [Bonvin, 1988]. In this paper, a numerical optimization approach is developed that utilizes a dynamic model to determine analytically, the structure of the optimal solution for a single-reaction system. This approach is tested via simulation of an end-point optimization problem in a batch chemical reactor.

Research paper thumbnail of Controller design in a fuel-cell powered automobile

7th IFAC International Symposium on Advanced Control of Chemical Processes (2009), 2009

In this paper, the control problems that arise during dynamic operation of a fuel-cell powered au... more In this paper, the control problems that arise during dynamic operation of a fuel-cell powered automobile, are analyzed. In particular, it is shown that there are three distinct control problems that need to be solved when the power demand fluctuates. A logic-based switching controller is proposed that switches to the battery backup when the fuel cell is unable to provide the necessary power to the motor. An adaptive controller is developed based on a linear model that adjusts the hydrogen flow into the fuel cell in response to changing power demand. Finally, a thermal controller is developed based on a nonlinear model that regulates the temperature of the fuel cell. Interaction between these controllers is analyzed via simulations under realistic road conditions.

Research paper thumbnail of Modeling of a Fuel Cell Power System for Automotive Applications

2nd International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology, 2004

Research paper thumbnail of Analysis of battery backup and switching controller for a fuel-cell powered automobile

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2009

In this paper, we consider the design of a fuel-cell powered automobile that utilizes methane as ... more In this paper, we consider the design of a fuel-cell powered automobile that utilizes methane as a source of hydrogen to power a PEM fuel cell. It is shown that when the power demand of the motor goes up suddenly, there is a time lag for generating the necessary hydrogen. A battery backup that provides the necessary power during this time lag is analyzed via an equivalent circuit model. A logic-based switching controller that switches between the fuel cell and the backup battery is designed to meet the power demand. The efficacy of this scheme is tested via simulations on a power profile obtained from a realistic speed profile of a small automobile.

Research paper thumbnail of Optimal Operation of Semi-Batch Processes with a Single Reaction

International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering, 2000

In a large number of industrial semi-batch reactor applications, a single reaction takes place in... more In a large number of industrial semi-batch reactor applications, a single reaction takes place in the reactor and the operational objective is to compute the optimal feed rate of reactants and the optimal batch temperature that optimizes an objective function at the end of a fixed batch time. In this work, it is shown that the optimal operating policy can be split into several time intervals. Analytical expressions for the optimal input are developed for each interval. Parametric uncertainty is handled by implementing this strategy in closed-loop. This methodology is illustrated via simulation of two semi-batch reactor applications.

Research paper thumbnail of Development of gain scheduling for trajectory tracking problems in input-output linearizable batch processes

Computers & Chemical Engineering, 1999

In this paper, a design methodology has been developed for the control of non-autonomous batch pr... more In this paper, a design methodology has been developed for the control of non-autonomous batch processes which typically require good tracking performance. The design, based on the framework of differential geometric methods and linear gain scheduling theory, involves a ...

Research paper thumbnail of Optimization of isothermal-isobaric chemical vapor infiltration

Computers & Chemical Engineering, 1998

Abstract Pergamon Computers chem. Engng Vol. 22, Suppl., pp. S773S776, 1998 1998 Elsevier Science... more Abstract Pergamon Computers chem. Engng Vol. 22, Suppl., pp. S773S776, 1998 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved Printed in Great Britain 00981354 98 19.00 + 0.00 PII:S00981354(98)001458 Optimization of IsothermalIsobaric Chemical Vapor Infiltration ...

Research paper thumbnail of Robust nonlinear control of polymethylmethacrylate production in a batch reactor

Computers & Chemical Engineering, 1998

In this paper, a robust controller is designed for a batch methylmethacrylate polymerization syst... more In this paper, a robust controller is designed for a batch methylmethacrylate polymerization system. The design is based on the framework of differential geometric methods and structured singular value techniques. It is shown via simulations that this controller provides excellent tracking response inspite of uncertainties in the plant. A performance comparison is made with a controller which has been designed without accounting for uncertainties.

Research paper thumbnail of State feedback synthesis for on-line optimization of batch reactors with multiple manipulated inputs

Computers & Chemical Engineering, 1998

In this paper, nonlinear state feedback laws are developed for on-line optimization of batch/semi... more In this paper, nonlinear state feedback laws are developed for on-line optimization of batch/semi-batch processes with multiple manipulated inputs. The first-order necessary conditions are cast in terms of the system Lie brackets. Optimal state feedback laws are derived which are independent of the adjoint states. It is shown that the feedback laws are, in general, dynamic in nature and provide an alternative to solving a two point boundary value problem on-line. This methodology is illustrated via simulation of several end-point optimization problems in batch chemical reactors.

Research paper thumbnail of On-line optimization of batch reactors with two manipulated inputs

Computers & Chemical Engineering, 1996

In this paper, we address the issue of developing nonlinear state feedback laws for on-line optim... more In this paper, we address the issue of developing nonlinear state feedback laws for on-line optimization of batch processes with two manipulated inputs where one input appears as a nonlinear function in the state model and the other input appears as a linear function in the state model. Optimal state feedback laws are derived in terms of the system Lie

Research paper thumbnail of Reprint of: Analysis of radial flow reformer for fuel cell applications

Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification, 2010

ABSTRACT In this paper, the performance of a radial flow reformer is analyzed. Fundamental princi... more ABSTRACT In this paper, the performance of a radial flow reformer is analyzed. Fundamental principles of reaction engineering are utilized to design this reactor where methane is reformed to produce sufficient hydrogen to generate 20W of power in a fuel cell. It is shown that the radial flow geometry leads to modest pressure drop. The reactor operates at a pressure of 150kPa, a steam to methane ratio of 3 and an inlet temperature of 848K and is able to generate sufficient hydrogen for 20W of power. The heat duty required for the reformer is approximately 43% of the power generated.

Research paper thumbnail of Analysis of radial flow reformer for fuel cell applications

Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification, 2009

ABSTRACT In this paper, the performance of a radial flow reformer is analyzed. Fundamental princi... more ABSTRACT In this paper, the performance of a radial flow reformer is analyzed. Fundamental principles of reaction engineering are utilized to design this reactor where methane is reformed to produce sufficient hydrogen to generate 20W of power in a fuel cell. It is shown that the radial flow geometry leads to modest pressure drop. The reactor operates at a pressure of 150kPa, a steam to methane ratio of 3 and an inlet temperature of 848K and is able to generate sufficient hydrogen for 20W of power. The heat duty required for the reformer is approximately 43% of the power generated.

Research paper thumbnail of Torque Control of a Robotic Vehicle Based on Predicted Road Profile 1

Vehicular speed control using standard cruise control is good only when the road profile is unifo... more Vehicular speed control using standard cruise control is good only when the road profile is uniformly smooth throughout; such a controller is essentially reactive in the sense that it responds after the speed has changed primarily because of the changing road profile. When the road pro- file is corrugated and has bumps, it is necessary to predict this profile well

Research paper thumbnail of Parameter and state variation estimation for multi-equilibria nonlinear systems using a "stacked" model structure

Proceedings of the 2001 American Control Conference. (Cat. No.01CH37148), 2001

ABSTRACT To obtain optimal performance in a controlled system, it is important to have accurate k... more ABSTRACT To obtain optimal performance in a controlled system, it is important to have accurate knowledge of the system parameters and equilibrium points. For some nonlinear systems, such as a Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR), most of the operation of the system is at equilibrium points, and so this paper considers estimation of the parameter variations of a system from their assumed values using steady-state data from selected equilibrium points. It is known that the data from one equilibrium point is not always sufficiently rich to yield information about each parameter variation. This always occurs, for example, if the number of sensors is less than the number of parameters. Hence, this paper shows how the data from several equilibrium points may be fed into an extended Kalman filter based on a "stacked" model to obtain more accurate estimation of the parameter variations of the system. The results are applied to a CSTR, and it is seen that the data from four appropriately chosen equilibrium points is sufficiently rich to accurately estimate the parameter variations

Research paper thumbnail of Reprint of: Analysis of radial flow reformer for fuel cell applications

Chemical Engineering and Processing Process Intensification, Jul 1, 2010

ABSTRACT In this paper, the performance of a radial flow reformer is analyzed. Fundamental princi... more ABSTRACT In this paper, the performance of a radial flow reformer is analyzed. Fundamental principles of reaction engineering are utilized to design this reactor where methane is reformed to produce sufficient hydrogen to generate 20W of power in a fuel cell. It is shown that the radial flow geometry leads to modest pressure drop. The reactor operates at a pressure of 150kPa, a steam to methane ratio of 3 and an inlet temperature of 848K and is able to generate sufficient hydrogen for 20W of power. The heat duty required for the reformer is approximately 43% of the power generated.

Research paper thumbnail of 334006 Linking Community College Students to Engineering

This project presents the results of an NSF grant to support transfer students from community col... more This project presents the results of an NSF grant to support transfer students from community colleges to the University of South Alabama. It will be shown how this project stimulated enrollment, enhanced retention in engineering programs at the University, and increased the technical work force in the Mobile area. The targeted community colleges have large minority populations and many first generation students. In particular, this project addresses financial barriers of minority community college students by providing scholarships each year to students from area community colleges. The students were placed in learning communities and provided with faculty and student mentors and academic support systems. Participants interacted with K-12 students, broadening the impact of the program. Data on the "what worked" and "what did not work" will be presented and a rational methodology for facilitating the transition from community college to the university will be dis...

Research paper thumbnail of AIM AT NANOTEC

In the past 15 years the field of nanotechnology has matured to the level where devices based on ... more In the past 15 years the field of nanotechnology has matured to the level where devices based on nanotechnology are emerging and making an impact to today’s society. This field is truly interdisciplinary and requires a synthesis of knowledge from science and engineering principles to develop nanotechnology devices. In this talk, we demonstrate how recent innovations in engineering education, coupled with video creation technology, can be used to develop a set of modules that can be integrated into several sophomore, junior and senior level core courses in three different engineering departments (Chemical & Biomolecular, Mechanical, and Electrical & Computer Engineering). The modules are developed by faculty members who have research experience in nanotechnology and are integrated seamlessly with material covered in core engineering courses. Each of these modules involves problem solving skills at the levels of knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation...

Research paper thumbnail of 279428 Using Podcasts to Teach Nanotechnology Across Three Engineering Departments

In the past 15 years the field of nanotechnology has matured to the level where devices based on ... more In the past 15 years the field of nanotechnology has matured to the level where devices based on nanotechnology are emerging and making an impact to today’s society. This field is truly interdisciplinary and requires a synthesis of knowledge from science and engineering principles to develop nanotechnology devices. In this talk, we present our experience in utilizing recent innovations in engineering education, coupled with video creation technology, to develop a set of modules that can be integrated into several sophomore, junior and senior level core courses in three different engineering departments (Chemical & Biomolecular, Mechanical, and Electrical & Computer Engineering). The modules were developed by faculty members who have research experience in nanotechnology and were integrated with material covered in core engineering courses. Each of these modules involves problem solving skills at the levels of knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation....

Research paper thumbnail of End-point optimization of batch chemical processes

42nd IEEE International Conference on Decision and Control (IEEE Cat. No.03CH37475), 2003

Batch and semi-batch processes are of considerable importance in the batch chemical industry. In ... more Batch and semi-batch processes are of considerable importance in the batch chemical industry. In the face of increased competition, process optimization provides a unified framework for reducing production costs, meeting safety requirements and environmental regulations, improving product quality, reducing product variability, and ease of scaleup [Bonvin, 1988]. In this paper, a numerical optimization approach is developed that utilizes a dynamic model to determine analytically, the structure of the optimal solution. This approach is tested via simulation of end-point optimization problems in two semi-batch chemical reactors.

Research paper thumbnail of State feedback synthesis for on-line optimization in the presence of measurable disturbances

Proceedings of 1995 American Control Conference - ACC'95, 1995

In this paper, state feedback laws are developed for online optimization of batch reactors in the... more In this paper, state feedback laws are developed for online optimization of batch reactors in the presence of measurable disturbances. Pontryagin's minimum principle is used to derive the first order necessary conditions of optimality. Then the optimal state feedback laws are derived by eliminating the adjoint variables from the first order necessary conditions. System Lie brackets are defined to express

Research paper thumbnail of End-point optimization of single-reaction systems

Proceedings of the 2005, American Control Conference, 2005., 2005

ABSTRACT Batch and semi-batch processes are of considerable importance in the batch chemical indu... more ABSTRACT Batch and semi-batch processes are of considerable importance in the batch chemical industry. In the face of increased competition, process optimization provides a unified framework for reducing production costs, meeting safety requirements and environmental regulations, improving product quality, reducing product variability, and ease of scale-up [Bonvin, 1988]. In this paper, a numerical optimization approach is developed that utilizes a dynamic model to determine analytically, the structure of the optimal solution for a single-reaction system. This approach is tested via simulation of an end-point optimization problem in a batch chemical reactor.

Research paper thumbnail of Controller design in a fuel-cell powered automobile

7th IFAC International Symposium on Advanced Control of Chemical Processes (2009), 2009

In this paper, the control problems that arise during dynamic operation of a fuel-cell powered au... more In this paper, the control problems that arise during dynamic operation of a fuel-cell powered automobile, are analyzed. In particular, it is shown that there are three distinct control problems that need to be solved when the power demand fluctuates. A logic-based switching controller is proposed that switches to the battery backup when the fuel cell is unable to provide the necessary power to the motor. An adaptive controller is developed based on a linear model that adjusts the hydrogen flow into the fuel cell in response to changing power demand. Finally, a thermal controller is developed based on a nonlinear model that regulates the temperature of the fuel cell. Interaction between these controllers is analyzed via simulations under realistic road conditions.

Research paper thumbnail of Modeling of a Fuel Cell Power System for Automotive Applications

2nd International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology, 2004

Research paper thumbnail of Analysis of battery backup and switching controller for a fuel-cell powered automobile

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2009

In this paper, we consider the design of a fuel-cell powered automobile that utilizes methane as ... more In this paper, we consider the design of a fuel-cell powered automobile that utilizes methane as a source of hydrogen to power a PEM fuel cell. It is shown that when the power demand of the motor goes up suddenly, there is a time lag for generating the necessary hydrogen. A battery backup that provides the necessary power during this time lag is analyzed via an equivalent circuit model. A logic-based switching controller that switches between the fuel cell and the backup battery is designed to meet the power demand. The efficacy of this scheme is tested via simulations on a power profile obtained from a realistic speed profile of a small automobile.

Research paper thumbnail of Optimal Operation of Semi-Batch Processes with a Single Reaction

International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering, 2000

In a large number of industrial semi-batch reactor applications, a single reaction takes place in... more In a large number of industrial semi-batch reactor applications, a single reaction takes place in the reactor and the operational objective is to compute the optimal feed rate of reactants and the optimal batch temperature that optimizes an objective function at the end of a fixed batch time. In this work, it is shown that the optimal operating policy can be split into several time intervals. Analytical expressions for the optimal input are developed for each interval. Parametric uncertainty is handled by implementing this strategy in closed-loop. This methodology is illustrated via simulation of two semi-batch reactor applications.

Research paper thumbnail of Development of gain scheduling for trajectory tracking problems in input-output linearizable batch processes

Computers & Chemical Engineering, 1999

In this paper, a design methodology has been developed for the control of non-autonomous batch pr... more In this paper, a design methodology has been developed for the control of non-autonomous batch processes which typically require good tracking performance. The design, based on the framework of differential geometric methods and linear gain scheduling theory, involves a ...

Research paper thumbnail of Optimization of isothermal-isobaric chemical vapor infiltration

Computers & Chemical Engineering, 1998

Abstract Pergamon Computers chem. Engng Vol. 22, Suppl., pp. S773S776, 1998 1998 Elsevier Science... more Abstract Pergamon Computers chem. Engng Vol. 22, Suppl., pp. S773S776, 1998 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved Printed in Great Britain 00981354 98 19.00 + 0.00 PII:S00981354(98)001458 Optimization of IsothermalIsobaric Chemical Vapor Infiltration ...

Research paper thumbnail of Robust nonlinear control of polymethylmethacrylate production in a batch reactor

Computers & Chemical Engineering, 1998

In this paper, a robust controller is designed for a batch methylmethacrylate polymerization syst... more In this paper, a robust controller is designed for a batch methylmethacrylate polymerization system. The design is based on the framework of differential geometric methods and structured singular value techniques. It is shown via simulations that this controller provides excellent tracking response inspite of uncertainties in the plant. A performance comparison is made with a controller which has been designed without accounting for uncertainties.

Research paper thumbnail of State feedback synthesis for on-line optimization of batch reactors with multiple manipulated inputs

Computers & Chemical Engineering, 1998

In this paper, nonlinear state feedback laws are developed for on-line optimization of batch/semi... more In this paper, nonlinear state feedback laws are developed for on-line optimization of batch/semi-batch processes with multiple manipulated inputs. The first-order necessary conditions are cast in terms of the system Lie brackets. Optimal state feedback laws are derived which are independent of the adjoint states. It is shown that the feedback laws are, in general, dynamic in nature and provide an alternative to solving a two point boundary value problem on-line. This methodology is illustrated via simulation of several end-point optimization problems in batch chemical reactors.

Research paper thumbnail of On-line optimization of batch reactors with two manipulated inputs

Computers & Chemical Engineering, 1996

In this paper, we address the issue of developing nonlinear state feedback laws for on-line optim... more In this paper, we address the issue of developing nonlinear state feedback laws for on-line optimization of batch processes with two manipulated inputs where one input appears as a nonlinear function in the state model and the other input appears as a linear function in the state model. Optimal state feedback laws are derived in terms of the system Lie

Research paper thumbnail of Reprint of: Analysis of radial flow reformer for fuel cell applications

Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification, 2010

ABSTRACT In this paper, the performance of a radial flow reformer is analyzed. Fundamental princi... more ABSTRACT In this paper, the performance of a radial flow reformer is analyzed. Fundamental principles of reaction engineering are utilized to design this reactor where methane is reformed to produce sufficient hydrogen to generate 20W of power in a fuel cell. It is shown that the radial flow geometry leads to modest pressure drop. The reactor operates at a pressure of 150kPa, a steam to methane ratio of 3 and an inlet temperature of 848K and is able to generate sufficient hydrogen for 20W of power. The heat duty required for the reformer is approximately 43% of the power generated.

Research paper thumbnail of Analysis of radial flow reformer for fuel cell applications

Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification, 2009

ABSTRACT In this paper, the performance of a radial flow reformer is analyzed. Fundamental princi... more ABSTRACT In this paper, the performance of a radial flow reformer is analyzed. Fundamental principles of reaction engineering are utilized to design this reactor where methane is reformed to produce sufficient hydrogen to generate 20W of power in a fuel cell. It is shown that the radial flow geometry leads to modest pressure drop. The reactor operates at a pressure of 150kPa, a steam to methane ratio of 3 and an inlet temperature of 848K and is able to generate sufficient hydrogen for 20W of power. The heat duty required for the reformer is approximately 43% of the power generated.