Self-Contained Ration Heater

A Flameless Ration Heater (FRH) is used by soldiers in the field to heat the main entrée in Meals Ready to Eat (MRE). It is also used by civilians in need of quick meals during natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, hurricanes, snowstorms). The current FRH utilizes the enthalpy of the reaction, Mg + 2H2O = Mg(OH)2 + H2, to heat the meals. This system is designed to heat the entrée in an individual MRE package by 110 degrees F in 10-15 minutes. The main objective of this program is to develop a FRH using a chemical reaction that provides the needed thermal energy without hydrogen generation, the FRH being fully compliant with the requirements of the specifications of the US Army. The major goals of this program include optimization of the relevant chemistry, determination of the operational parameters to achieve total suppression of the hydrogen generation, and manufacture these novel ration heaters for use in the single and group MREs.