Exhaust Heat Capture Ration Heating System (EHC-RHS)

Current field ration heating systems use fossil fuels as the primary energy source. The use of additional fossil fuels during food preparation increases the frequency of resupply missions and consequently leads to more attacks on supply convoys. Approaches for heating food rations in-the-field and on-the-move without the use of fossil fuels are desired. At the core of CRG"s approach is a bolt-on closed loop, heat transfer system that can be easily integrated into internal combustion engine exhaust systems. Internal combustion engines are the most common power source utilized by the military; however they are by design relatively inefficient and generate significant waste heat through exhaust and cooling systems. When combined with state-of-the-art heat exchangers, CRG"s ration heating system solution will minimize impact to engine performance while eliminating the need for additional fossil fuels by capturing and repurposing the wasted exhaust gas energy. During Phase I, CRG"s team will establish preliminary ration heating system designs and will demonstrate feasibility through modeling and simulation. Phase II will result in fabrication of a prototype ration heating system that will be tested using an engine platform. Phase III will focus on marketing and manufacturing of the ration heating system.