Foil-Bearing Supported High-Speed Centrifugal Cathode Air Blower

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC), which provide significant advantages over other energy generation technologies, require blowers to provide motive force to incoming atmospheric air, in order to ovecome the pressure drop in various valves and heat exchangers, and in the fuel stack. The energy required to drive the air is typically one of the largest parasitic loads for the SOFC system; therefore, high blower efficiency is paramount to high system efficiency. In addition, the overall blower cost must be affordable. This project will design and manufacture a high technology, high-speed, oil-free, foil-bearing-supported centrifugal blower that meets DOE goals. In addition a cost-reduction design/manufacturing process will be developed to allow the blower to be manufactured for less than $100 per unit, based on a production rate of 50,000 units per year. In Phase I, an existing High Technology Fuel Processor Blower (which was designed, built, and successfully demonstrated under another DOE program) will be used as the basis for the design of new, low-cost blower. The blower will be built and tested In Phase II. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Beyond the application to SOFCs, this type of blower could replace any currently-used blower, but with the advantage of lower energy cost, no maintenance, and longer life