Lightweight Hydrogen/Oxygen Thermal Generators for Fuel Cell Power

An enhancement opportunity exists in the current systems where weight reduction may be achieved by utilizing rocket thermal energy to provide recharge power to onboard batteries. In this proposal, Giner, Inc. and Purdue University describe an approach for a thermal power generation system that exploits the rocket waste heat to provide reactant gases from solid storage to an efficient, power-dense fuel cell. Excess heat from the ABM third stage rocket motor will be routed to solid precursor storage modules through the insulation matrix. At elevated temperature the precursors will efficiently and rapidly release hydrogen and oxygen gases to the a cell. The system is anticipated to produce>300W and weigh less than 2 kg.