Noncatalytic Reformation of JP-8 Fuel in Supercritical Water for Production of Hydrogen

A novel process is developed where hydrogen is generated via direct noncatalytic 

reformation of liquid hydrocarbon fuels such as diesel and JP-8 fuel in supercritical

 water. In this process, supercritical water functions as a reforming agent and as a 

solvating reaction medium. The high enthalpy level of supercritical water and the 

extraordinary solubility of hydrocarbon fuel components in supercritical water allow 

the reformation reaction to proceed without a heterogeneous catalyst that is typically 

required for the conventional reformation process. Typical operating temperature and 

pressure ranges for this reformation process are: 650°C–825°C and 22–33 MPa. The process 

feasibility of the supercritical water reformation of JP-8 fuel was demonstrated in a 

tubular reactor (Generation-I SWR Reactor) made of Inconel-625 alloy (Grade 1) whose 

dimensions are 2.54-cm internal diameter and 183-cm internal length. The following 

scientific and technological issues were investigated in-depth: (a) long-term continuous 

reactor operability, (b) capability of handling high sulfur containing liquid fuel 

without cumbersome pre-desulfurization, (c) potentially varying supercriticality of the 

reactant and product mixtures along the reactor length, (d) principal reactions in the 

process chemistry, (e) coke formation and its prevention, (f) competitive productivity 

between H2 and CH4 and its significance, (g) feasibility of autothermal mode of operation 

by co-feeding air or oxygen into the reactor, (h) effects of fuel components on the 

overall process efficiency, and (i) desired mechanical properties of the reactor 

material of construction.