Compact Personnel Hydration System Cooler For Field Use

In hot desert environments, water contained in the On The Move Hydration System will reach temperatures as high as 125°F, providing the Marine warfighter unacceptable water for drinking. Having a ready-on-demand supply of fresh, cool drinking water is crucial for proper hydration and avoidance of heat- and dehydration-related injuries in these settings. To meet this requirement, a small, portable water-cooling system is needed. Technology Applications, Inc. is proposing unique personnel water cooling approaches based upon using the large specific energy capacity found in the latent heat of liquids and/or solids. Four cooling system concepts will be evaluated via a comprehensive trade study, based on co-developed requirements primarily from Infantry Combat Equipment ACAT IV Program personnel. In addition to the specific user-generated requirements, each system must meet the basic requirements of weight, volume, and cost minimization and ease of integration into existing hydration systems. Upon final system selection during the Base Phase I Program, TAI will assemble a proof-of-concept cooler for demonstration and performance evaluation. A second-generation prototype will be produced and tested during the Phase I Option to further demonstrate compliance with established requirements for TAI’s personnel water cooler.