Portable Multi-fuel Shelter Heater

The objective of this proposed project is to develop a portable, high efficiency, self-starting, multi-fuel, soft-wall shelter heater that is durable enough to be fielded by the Marines. The Aerophase multi-fuel shelter heater will use a wide variety of energy sources that are often available in locations where shelters are deployed. This will reduce risk associated with transportation and storage of liquid fuels. Currently, the Marines use soft-wall shelter heaters that only burn liquid fuels. These fuels require transportation by convoy putting Marines at greater risk. The proposed heater will further reduce risk to Marines with a high efficiency heater that minimizes local fuel transportation and eliminates smoke signature from solid fuel combustion. The proposed Phase I feasibility project will demonstrate combustion of liquid, gas, and solid fuels along with electric heating option integrated into one portable forced air circulating shelter heater. The great challenge in this project is integrating solid fuel combustion from energy sources like coal, wood, wood pellets/chips, agricultural waste, and shredded trash, without smoke. The new multi-fuel heater will address many important issues such as a heat exchanger that is compatible with fly-ash from biomass combustion and controlled combustion that is critical for high efficiency operation.