High Energy Density Hydrogen Delivery System

The US Navy requires advanced power systems for emerging autonomous underwater vehicle platforms, and hydrogen/oxygen fuel cells have been identified as a suitable replacement for the costly and hazardous primary lithium batteries currently in use. Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC (GES) and Purdue have teamed to demonstrate a novel chemical hydride fueling solution that will enable onboard hydrogen generation at high energy density. The Phase II program will further develop pellet geometry and coating technology, and foam-based hydrogen generation catalysts for use in a fixed-bed reactor. The project will culminate in a fully engineered hydrogen generation system prototype producing 25 SLPM hydrogen, suitable for a 2.5-kWe H2/O2 fuel cell. In the option periods, GES and Purdue will perform extended evaluation and chemical process modeling of the prototype, and also develop and integrate a dead-ended fuel cell with the system.