Highly Active Decomposition Catalyst for Low Carbon Hydrocarbon Production from Sulfur Containing Fuel

Description:

Reference #: 00916

The University of South Carolina is offering licensing opportunities for this technology.

Potential Applications:

The basic application of the disclosed catalytic materials is targeted towards enabling portable fuel cells running on non-desulfurised jet fuel, in particular strategic military fuel (JP-8).

Advantages and Benefits:

Useful for the conversion of sulphur containing, high-C hydrocarbon fuel

The conversion efficiency can be up to 23%, calculated on a mass basis. However it is envisioned that higher conversion efficiencies may be realized through optimization of the conversion parameters (e.g., the reactor conditions)

With growing military and commercial interest in the use of common legacy fluid fuels, the disclosed materials can advance the viability of fuel cell solutions that provide fuel flexibility, higher energy conversion efficiency, and reliable portable power using JP-8. The primary target for the decomposition products of jet fuel are light hydrocarbons, which can serve as fuel.

Invention Description:

The subject invention includes methods for deriving low-C hydrocarbon fuel from high-C hydrocarbon fuel. The referenced low-C hydrocarbon fuels can include hydrocarbons having 2 to 5 carbons per molecule. The methods are essentially useful for the conversion of sulphur containing, high-C hydrocarbon fuel because the methods do not form H2S as a by-product in any significant amount. For instance, the sulphur-containing molecules can be separated from low-C hydrocarbon fuel, along with any untreated high-C hydrocarbons.

Patent Information:

Title	App Type	Country	Serial No.	Patent No.	File Date	Issued Date	Expire Date	Patent Status
Highly Active Decomposition Catalyst for Low Carbon Hydrocarbon Production from Sulfur Containing Fuel	Utility	United States	13/584,180		8/13/2012			Notice of Allowance