A High-Temperature Battlefield Fuel Vaporization Membrane

The Army seeks to standardize all equipment on its battlefield logistics fuel, JP-8. JP-8 is difficult to use for small-scale, low-power applications, however, since its low vapor pressure and complex composition inhibit complete vaporization. Existing methods for vaporizing logistics fuels require electric power, moving parts, or high temperatures. To address this need, Creare proposes to develop a low-cost, lightweight membrane that enables complete, controllable vaporization of JP-8 at the flow rates needed by low-power combustion devices. We will demonstrate the feasibility of the fuel vaporization approach in this Phase I project, and in Phase II we will develop and test membrane prototypes in small heating devices of interest to the Army. The technology will be particularly applicable to lightweight heating devices employing catalytic combustion.