| Acumentrics
20 Southwest Park Westwood, MA 02090 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(781) 461-8251
Douglas Schmidt OSD12-EP1 Awarded: 5/22/2012 |
| Title: | Integral Multi-Fuel Reactor for Efficient Power Delivery Systems |
| Abstract: | The increased need for portable efficient power has led to the use of the fuel cell as a means of delivering that power. However, portable power also means the ability to utilize any available fuel as the situation would arise. A fuel reformer is needed that supplies the proper reformate to the fuel cell from any fuel source, eliminating the need for significant bulk, weight, and costly external reformers. Currently available reformers do not solve this problem. Acumentrics proposes to test a new paradigm in reformation that enables multi- fuel usage with no weight or volume additions to the system. In addition, this reformer will be scalable throughout the system, an enabler of units at any power range, and reliability has been verified for 10,000s hours on pipeline natural gas to date. This flexible-fuel reformer is not limited in turndown nor startup, and eliminates multiple stages external to the power- production process. This project is designed to verify those results for a wide range of fuels. |
| Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc.
1046 New Holland Avenue Lancaster, PA 17601 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(717) 295-6116
Chien-Hua Chen OSD12-EP1 Awarded: 5/31/2012 |
| Title: | A Non-Catalytic Fuel Flexible Reformer |
| Abstract: | The proposed SBIR Phase I program will develop an innovative fuel flexible reformer for a portable Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) power generation system used in the battlefields. The fuel reformer is non-catalytic and can operate with different fuels including methanol, propane, and JP fuels, without suffering catalyst degradation common to catalytic-based fuel reformers. The impurities in the fuel (i.e., sulfur compounds) will be converted into hydrogen sulfide (H2S) during the reforming process, and then removed by a metal oxide based sorbent that can operate at the same temperature range as the SOFC. This avoids the need for cooling the reformate gas prior to desulfurization. By eliminating the need to cool and then reheat the reformate gas, the system overall size and weight can be decreased and system efficiency increased. Consequently, the proposed reforming system will provide the fuel flexibility needed to reduce the military's logistic burden and enable SOFC systems to operate with a broader range of available fuels. |
| ASPEN PRODUCTS GROUP, INC.
186 CEDAR HILL STREET MARLBOROUGH, MA 01752 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(508) 481-5058
Craig Thompson OSD12-EP1 Awarded: 6/6/2012 |
| Title: | Power-Dense, Fuel Flexible Reformer |
| Abstract: | Aspen Products Group, Inc. (APG) proposes to develop a power-dense fuel flexible reformer based upon an advanced reactor design concept and regenerable sulfur removal technology. The reformer will be simpler and more compact than systems based upon traditional reforming approaches. The reformer will operate on a wide variety of fuels, including traditional sulfur-containing military fuels, such as JP-8, JP-5, diesel, gasoline, and LPG, and biofuels, such as biodiesel, ethanol, and methanol. Approaches to integrating the reformer with 0.3 to 3 kW solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) will be evaluated and implemented. |
| InnovaTek, Inc.
3100 George Washington Way Suite 108 Richland, WA 99354 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(509) 375-1093
Quentin Ming OSD12-EP1 Awarded: 6/28/2012 |
| Title: | MULTI-FUEL PROCESSOR FOR PORTABLE POWER |
| Abstract: | The quiet operation and high efficiency of fuel cells provide an ideal solution for portable electric power generation for a wide range of military and commercial applications. A compact and efficient fuel processor that provides hydrogen from multiple types of liquid fuels will allow fuel cell technology to be realized in military and commercial markets with fuel flexible capabilities for portable applications. The requirement for rapid start-up and quick response to transients dictates that the fuel processing system has excellent heat and mass transfer properties. To meet this need InnovaTek will build on its experience in catalytic reforming to develop catalysts that are optimized for a micro structured reforming reactor that converts multiple fuel types, including renewable fuels, to hydrogen for use by a micro- high temperature PEM fuel cell developed by UltraCell to generate electricity for portable power. Very high heat and mass transfer rates, uniform reaction conditions, high conversions, short residence time, and high selectivity toward the desired product are all proven attributes of micro-channel reactors. The critical design requirements demanded by the reforming of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons in a portable device, matches well with the benefits offered by micro-channel reactors. |
| Precision Combustion, Inc.
410 Sackett Point Road North Haven, CT 06473 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(203) 287-3700
Tim LaBreche OSD12-EP1 Awarded: 5/14/2012 |
| Title: | Fuel Flexible Reformer |
| Abstract: | Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) proposes to develop an ultra-compact, fuel-flexible reformer, including balance-of-plant components, designed for operation with fuel cell stacks for 300 We portable power generator systems. The reformer technology will be based upon our novel proprietary high mass and heat transfer catalytic elements, which were demonstrated to be superior (i.e., more durable, higher sulfur tolerant, lighter, and smaller size) to existing technologies such as pellets, monoliths, foams, and microchannels. Additionally, the resulting reformer system will have high energy density and will offer a reduced weight burden and improved supply logistics for the soldier. The proposed design builds upon prior PCI work for U.S. DoD that has developed JP-8 reformers and fuel processors for larger fuel cell systems. In Phase I, potential system level solutions for the 300 We application will be evaluated and fully conserved system designs will be developed. Additionally, a breadboard fuel reformer will be developed and evaluated with a variety of fuels to verify fuel flexibility and feasibility for future integration with 300 We fuel cells. |
| Altex Technologies Corporation
244 Sobrante Way Sunnyvale, CA 94086 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(408) 328-8303
Mehdi Namazian OSD12-EP2 Awarded: 5/31/2012 |
| Title: | Solid Waste Remediation System (SWRS) for Small Contingency Base Camps |
| Abstract: | Under the proposed project Altex will develop a Solid Waste Remediation System (ASWRS) for onsite disposal of bulk solid wastes generated at Patrol Bases (PBs) or Combat Outposts (COPs). The system is designed to recover heat and use innovative approaches to dispose of the waste in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner with no or minimal amount of JP-8. Under the proposed Phase I the system design will be refined and a proof-of-principal test unit will be fabricated to test the critical aspects of the ASWRE and fill the data gab defined by the design activities. The data will be used to finalize the system design and define the ASWRS specs including weight, volume, cost and fuel usage. These activities will define the technical and the economics feasibility of the ASWRS and assesses its manufacturability. These Phase I will provide a foundation for a Phase II under which a prototype will be fabricated for limited field testing. |
| Fabrico Technology Inc
13170G Pond Springs Road Suite 5 Austin, TX 78729 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(512) 219-8588
Robert Chin OSD12-EP2 Awarded: 5/31/2012 |
| Title: | Solid Waste Remediation System (SWRS) for Small Contingency Base Camps |
| Abstract: | Fabrico Technology and Mr. Brian Evans of Scimitar Technology (Johannesburg, ZA) propose to develop a TRICON portable (i.e. 6.5x8’x8’ triple container) Magnetic Induction Heated Solid Waste Remediation System (MIH-SWRS) for PB, COP, and FOB renewable energy applications. The reactor is comprised of a unique series of rotating permanent magnets mounted within a sleeve of electrically conductive material. The magnetic flux generates a short-circuited electrical current, which results in the heating of the sleeve. When waste feedstock (i.e. pelletized or raw military or municipal trash) is introduced into the reactor sleeve, the material is exothermically heated and converted into usable carbon fuel. Flue gases released in this process can also be collected or flared. If the reactor is operated at 600o C or higher (i.e. 1200oC), the reactor generates heat, which can be converted directly into electricity. In this high temperature operating configuration, the reactor operates in an energy neutral or energy exporting mode. In Phase I, Fabrico proposes to (1) Develop SWRS requirements, (2) Demonstration MIH technology, (3) Develop integration requirements, and (4) Develop a Phase II prototype plan. In Phase II, Fabrico intends to fabricate, test and demonstrate a MIH-SWRS at a DOD site. |
| Infoscitex Corporation
303 Bear Hill Road Waltham, MA 02451 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(781) 890-1338
Michael Cushman OSD12-EP2 Awarded: 5/31/2012 |
| Title: | Solid Waste Desctruction System (SWDS) for Small Contingency Base Camps |
| Abstract: | The disposal of solid waste at small contingency camps increases the burden of logistical support and detracts from the military mission. Present methods of waste disposal consume fuel and have negative environmental effects. Gasification provides a method to reduce the waste disposed of to a landfill by 95 percent and is energy exporting. Gasification systems being developed by the Army for battalion scale camps use preprocessing of the solid waste for size reduction, drying and densification, which are energy, size and weight intensive. Although gasification reactors can easily be scaled down for use in small contingency camps, smaller preprocessing subsystems are not available in commercial grade to meet the ruggedness and low maintenance requirements of the Army. Infoscitex proposes to develop an energy exporting batch gasification system without preprocessing to maximize waste destruction from small Army contingency base camps generating up to 600 lbs/day of mixed solid waste. The focus of the Phase I test program will be to obtain data on a prototype 480 lb/day size system. IST Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Infoscitex, and developer of a commercial size gasification system, will be the commercialization partner of IST and will provide design expertise on the proposed program. |
| Mainstream Engineering Corporation
200 Yellow Place Pines Industrial Center Rockledge, FL 32955 | |
| Phone:
PI: Topic#: |
(321) 631-3550
Paul Yelvington OSD12-EP2 Awarded: 5/29/2012 |
| Title: | Fast Pyrolytic Solid Waste Remediation for Small Contingency Base Camps |
| Abstract: | Mainstream Engineering Corp. (MEC) proposes developing a pyrolytic solid waste remediation system (py-SWRS) for processing mixed solid waste at small contingency base camps. The proposed py-SWRS unit is a scaled-down and simplified version of a portable pyrolysis reactor already under development at MEC for greenwaste processing at landfills located on large, fixed DoD installations. MEC’s portable fast pyrolysis unit features proprietary reactor design features to improve yield and energetics. In Phase I, an existing pilot reactor will be demonstrated with a mixed waste stream representative of solid waste generated at small contingency bases. Key components unique to the py-SWRS process will be designed and experimentally tested. In addition, a high-fidelity design including 3D layout and sizing/costing of capital components will be performed. Phase II will culminate in the delivery of a fully characterized py-SWRS technology demonstrator to the Army for further testing. |