A Full Scale Engineeing Prototype Rechargeable Cryogenic Liquid Oxygen Storage and Delivery System for Fuel Cell Powered Underwater Vehicles

The Phase II base period research effort will focus on demonstrating the operability of the rechargeable cryogenic liquid oxygen storage and delivery system under a variety of conditions including: start/stop/transient conditions at the maximum and minimumflow rates, and power generation with integrated fuel cell in the 10-100 W range. The Engineering Prototype liquid oxygen storage system will be fabricated and tested with liquid oxygen in the base period. Enhancements to the integrated fuel cell andcryogenic system design tool will be made. The integration of cryogenic pure reactants with a fuel cell system represents a technological advancement with significant ramifications for fuel cell system performance, energy density, thermal management,thermal signature, and elimination of environmental contaminants.BENEFITS: The research and development of the proposed technology will lead to a safe, reliable, and efficient fuel cell driven power system capable of utilizing cryogenic reactants. This technology will directly benefit both manned and unmannedunderwater vehicles being considered for development by the Navy. Transportation industries such as automotive, trucking, rail, and aerospace, as well as the energy distribution industry will also benefit from the integration of fuel cell technologieswith cryogenic reactant storage and handling technologies.