2009QRF0011_Fuel-Cell-Based Squad Battery Charger
Abstract
The DoD and virtually all branches of the US military will benefit from the portable logistical battery charger and APU based on fuel cells operating on hydrocarbon fuels. High-performance portable power has been identified as critical in all areas of the military and has the potential to significantly improve portable device performance in terms of weight, cost, run duration and operational capabilities. The electronic requirements for soldier power and battlefield equipment are increasing rapidly, and in many cases, battery technologies are unable to effectively meet demands for extended mission duration and other requirements. The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) power systems can provide lightweight, clean, quiet and efficient power for a range of critical portable military missions and devices. This program targeted operation with prepackaged kerosene fuel with exceptionally high energy density and will serve as the basis for future upgrades to run JP8 directly (with future materials improvements). These new power sources will allow the DoD to ship and store fewer batteries and reduce the cost of fuel per watt-hour of energy delivered to the battlefield. Specific advantages include: • Lighter mission weight. For a 3-day, 125 W average power mission, the fuel cell battery charger system, along with rechargeable batteries, is expected to be up to 60% lighter. This represents a 31 kg (68 lb) savings for this mission. For missions where the fuel cell powers equipment directly, the weight savings could be 80% or more. • Lower cost. Equipping six soldiers for a 3-day, 20 W average per soldier mission requires nearly $6,000 in batteries. 72 hours of fuel for the fuel cell costs under $10. Over the expected 2,000 hour lifetime of the charger, the expected savings in primary batteries could exceed $160,000 per unit.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- b85301ad254c69d8a76ad38a859b2419