Waste to Energy
Abstract
The Research Foundation for the State University of New York, Cobleskill campus, will develop a small hand carry waste to energy generating system, providing mobile troops with 1 to 3 kW of usable direct current electricity and significant warm air for tent heating, using locally available wet & soiled waste materials and / or woody biomass. The system will consist of two hand carry modules, each weighing less than 88 lbs. (or up to four modules < 44 lbs./ea.), with a ready to run set up time of less than 15 minutes. Troops will be able to process a wide variety of dripping wet and soiled non-hazardous waste at feed rates of up to 10 kg/hr, including wood, biomass, paper, cardboard, plastic, rubber, food, textiles, and MRE packaging using the Inclined Rotary Gasification technology developed at SUNY Cobleskill in partnership with the DoD (US Patent 10,760,016). The rotating reactor converts waste into a synthetic fuel gas that combusts catalytically in an infra-red boiling water heat exchanger. This project will develop a lightweight boiling water organic Rankine cycle (BWORC) heat engine that uses infra-red heat to generate electricity using an environmentally friendly and renewable organic refrigerant as the working fluid. Soldiers will be able to recharge refrigerant using small hand carry canisters that can also function as cooking fuel. The boiling water heat exchanger provides a natural safety mechanism to prevent overheating without the need for extensive automation or continual troop intervention. Research will focus on developing a lightweight andhighly effective infra-red heat exchanger, providing a low thermal footprint with condensing exhaust to constantly supply the waternecessary for operation. The BWORC uses a scroll turbine and alternator to generate direct current electricity for soldier use. System includes a lithium ion battery bank, battery management system (BMS), is hand fed every 30 to 60 minutes, quiet (< 65 dBa), safe, lightweight, low thermal footprint, and can black start by hand crank in the event no battery power is available. Research will include evaluating the use of clean warm cycle exhaust air for tent heating, providing similar function to military style Environmental Control Units.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 12, 2023
- Source ID
- N000142312011
Entities
People
- David Waage
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Research Foundation for the State University of New York
- United States Navy