Portable Cogeneration of Power and Cooling

Proposed is a combined electric power and cooling system that shares a common proprietary working fluid. Employing this fluid enables practical application of both systems in a combined unit. The entire self-contained system will weigh roughly 164 lbs and thus will be 4-person carryable and easily placed in a helicopter or ground vehicle. The only discernable noise is likely to be from the external heavy fuel (JP-8) burner and electric cooling fans all of which will be muffled. In Phase I, thermodynamic analyses will be conducted, power conditioning specified and a preliminary system design generated. Existing hardware will be tested in Phase I to measure performance and noise. M-DOT will be teamed with Arizona Public Service, the largest electric utility in the State, who will provide guidance in system design with the intent of eventually participating in commercial transition of a successful Phase II design. Light Engineering will participate with their advanced alternator design. The low peak temperature, external firing and ultra-quiet operation make the system optimum for transition to solar supplemented power. The Phase I program will provide sufficient design basis to enable fabrication and test of a prototype system in Phase II.