Transcript US Army CERDEC Development of Battlefield Fuel Cell Power Beth Bostic US Army CERDEC Fuel Cell Team [email protected] 703-704-1027

US Army CERDEC Development of
Battlefield Fuel Cell Power
Beth Bostic
US Army CERDEC Fuel Cell Team
[email protected]
703-704-1027
Agenda
 Current Power Problem
 What is a Fuel Cell?
 Army Areas of Focus
 Benefits and Technical Challenges
 The Fuel Issue
 The Path Forward
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The Power Problem
FACT: Inadequate supplies of military batteries almost led U.S. forces
to cease operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The power
supply dictates mission tempo.
FACT: Over Half of today’s “Highly digitized C4ISR” Force is
powered by 1980’s Generators. They are outdated and
unreliable.
FACT: A soldier normally
carries about 65 pounds worth
of equipment and supplies in
his or her rucksack. Currently,
some soldiers are carrying
upwards of 95 pounds.
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Battlefield Power
MOBILE
Tactical Operation Center
SBCT I
 ~1,200 gals fuel/day to theater; costs
vary ($13 - $133/gal)
 133 Generators ( MTOE )
 Too Large, Too Noisy, Not Efficient
 Redundant Generators
 No Smart Power Distribution
•68 TONS of generators!
•$45K-$465K (72 hrs)
• 12 TONS Fuel!
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SOLDIER
POWER GAP
Forward Area Environment
No non-battery
power away from
vehicles, gensets,
or wall plugs
•
•
•
•
Brigade
Disposable batteries are
costly
Available energy NOT fully
utilized
No Recharge capability
Too many battery types
• ~$700K for 72 hrs
• 7 TONS of batteries!
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Potential Power Solutions
• Advanced Disposable Batteries
• Lithium Ion Pouch/Polymer Batteries
• Fuel Cells
• Stirling Engines
• Flexible Solar Panels
• Metal-Air Batteries
Soldier & Sensor Power
Battery Recharging
Auxiliary Power Units
Fuel Reforming
Component R&D
Vehicle Applications
• Advanced Internal-Combustion Generators
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What is a Fuel Cell?
Electrochemical Energy Conversion Device
PEM Fuel Cells take in Hydrogen and Air (Oxygen) and, through a chemical reaction,
make Water and Electricity.
Electrons = Electricity
H2O & Heat Exhaust
H2
IN
+ IONS
Fuel
IN
O2
Air
Anode
(- electrode)
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Electrolyte
Cathode
(+ electrode)
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CERDEC Focus Areas
Located at Fort Belvoir, VA
approximately 20 miles south of Washington, DC
Soldier and Sensor Power
(0-100W)
Battery Charging
(100-500W)
Auxiliary Power Units
(500W-10kW)
Goal: Transition Technology to areas where it is needed most.
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Army Fuel Cell Structure
Soldier & Sensor Power
Portable Power Generation
Stationary Power
Focus on System Development, Test, Demonstration, and Transition
Communications-Electronics,
Research Development and
Engineering Center
Tank & Automotive
Research Development
and Engineering Center
Army Corps of Engineers
Construction Engineering
Research Laboratory
(CERDEC)
(TARDEC)
(CERL)
Focus on Basic Materials R&D, Components, and Testing
Army Research Laboratory (ARL)
Army Research Office (ARO)
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DoD Fuel Cell Efforts
Air Force
Navy
More Electric Aircraft
FUEL CELL
DARPA
Distributed
Ship Power &
Propulsion
Unmanned Vehicles &
Sensor Power
Ground Support
Equipment
Soldier
Power
Battery Recharging
Logistics Fuel
Reforming
Auxiliary Power Units
Backup Stationary
Power
Administrative FCV
Demonstrations
Light Vehicle
Propulsion
Army
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Benefits of Fuel Cell Technology
 Decreased acoustic signature
 Decreased thermal signature
 Longer, Lighter missions
 Improved Efficiency
 Increased Power Density
 Significant Fuel Savings
 Hybrid systems offer the best solution
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Technical Challenges
 Rugged System, durability in harsh environments
 Reduce System Size and Weight
 Reliability
• Balance of Plant Components
• Air side contamination
 Water Management
 Reduce Acoustic and Thermal Signatures
 Orientation independent operation
 Power Quality
 Unit Cost
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The Fuel Policy
1999: DoD “One Fuel Forward” Policy states that the military can only
develop or acquire power technologies that utilize currently
supported military logistic fuels.
• kerosene-based fuels such as JP-8 and JP-5 for land and
ground forces
Larger power fuel cell power systems (>500W) must be
logistically fueled.
PROBLEM: Logistic Fuels are not easily reformed into a hydrogen rich
stream compatible with fuel cells.
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Fuel Reforming Issues
 What is the target fuel cell?
 Sulfur Removal
» Regenerable Approach is preferred
» Sulfur levels are variable in logistics fuel up to 3000ppm
 Carbon Formation
» Function of operating parameters
» Sensitive trade off of performance
 Water Management
» Prefer NO external water source needed
 System Performance
» Efficiency
» Start-up Time
» Transient response
» Thermal cycling
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Silent Tactical Power Efforts
FY 08 Target
 2-5kW Quiet Power Source
• < 150 kgs, < 69dBA noise
• TRL 5
• JP-8 Fueled
Logistics Fuel
Reforming
is critical
System Specs
•
•
•
•
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Two 1kW Methanol Reforming PEM units
1kW Prototype Liquid Hydrocarbon fuel reforming system
85-100 kg
29” x 27” x 25”
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Tactical Power Benefits
Acoustic and Thermal Signature
Acoustic Signature
2kW MTG
3kW TQG
1kW Idatech FCS-1200
79 dBA
72 dBA
53 dBA
2kW Fuel Cell for C3OTM
2003 Demonstration
•
•
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Provided Silent Watch Capability
Thermally undetectable from three
sides.
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The Path Forward
 Reduce logistic footprint for power!
 Focus on Near-Term Military Applications :
• Soldier & Sensor Power
• Auxiliary Power Units
• Portable Battery Chargers
 Fuel cells have the potential to significantly reduce
weight & costs over traditional military power sources
 Main Technology Barriers to Military Adaptation:
• Fuel Supply
• Affordability, and Reliability/Durability in the
Field
 Large Systems (+500W) must use Logistics Fuels
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Questions?
Beth Bostic
US Army CERDEC Fuel Cell Team
[email protected]
703-704-1027