ORBITAL FUEL CELL.
Abstract
The objective of this contract was to design a fuel cell system capable of exceeding 550 watt-hours per pound for a typical 30-day, unmanned, Air Force orbital mission. The fuel cell system designed consists of three operating modules, one standby module, and subsystems for electrical supervision and reactant supply. The four fuel cell modules built and tested, all performed satisfactorily. The maximum difference in the total voltage of all four modules during the initial performance tests was 0.30 volt at the average 4-ampere load. Module No. 1 established the energy-to-weight ratio (576.7 watt-hr/lb) of the fuel cell system for 750 hours of operation at the simulated mission load cycle. Its testing included a continuous 30-day thermal vacuum test, and also a simulated automatic startup, standby module test. The average voltage degradation during the 720-hour thermal vacuum test was 4.6 microvolts per cell per hour at a 3-ampere load. Module No. 2 performed satisfactorily before, during, and after motion and environmental testing. At the end of the 50-hour post-environmental test, it was within 0.5 volt of the original total voltage at the average 4-ampere load. Module No. 3 was performance tested for 20 hours before delivery. Module No. 4, first performance tested for 20 hours, was then stored for 30 days at room temperature with reactant supplied at 35 psia, the normal operating pressure. Its total voltage was within 0.5 volt at the 4-ampere load before and after storage. The fuel cell modules developed are capable of meeting all simulated mission requirements of the contract. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0828042
Entities
People
- R. J. Chesner