Advanced power supplies for long-duration unattended sensors and other devices

Thomas R. Vencill; Mike Powell; Anand S. Chellappa; W. Doyle Miller; Tim Foster

doi:10.1117/12.500751

18 September 2003 Advanced power supplies for long-duration unattended sensors and other devices

Thomas R. Vencill, Mike Powell, Anand S. Chellappa, W. Doyle Miller, Tim Foster

Proceedings Volume 5090, Unattended Ground Sensor Technologies and Applications V; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.500751
Event: AeroSense 2003, 2003, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

MesoFuel, Inc. has developed and demonstrated hydrogen generation systems that, when deployed in conjunction with proton exchange membrane (PEM) or solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) based power systems, can allow extended mission operations for 30 to 60 days at greatly reduced volume and mass from current power supply technologies. This hydrogen generator-fuel cell system can reduce overall power system mass by 55 to 70% over conventional batteries, and in excess of 80% when compared to available hydrogen storage systems when coupled with a fuel cell. Key innovations in microreactor and hydrogen separation membrane design are the enabling features which make possible these much longer run times than can be realized using state-of-the art power generation systems. In addition, the hydrogen generation units can produce either pure hydrogen or a reformate stream from a diverse set of fuels such as light hydrocarbons (methane, propane, butane), heavy hydrocarbons (JP-8, bio-diesel), and ammonia.

Citation Download Citation

Thomas R. Vencill, Mike Powell, Anand S. Chellappa, W. Doyle Miller, and Tim Foster "Advanced power supplies for long-duration unattended sensors and other devices", Proc. SPIE 5090, Unattended Ground Sensor Technologies and Applications V, (18 September 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.500751

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