Rechargeable Cryogenic Liquid Oxygen Storage and Delivery System for Fuel Cell Powered Underwater Vehicles

A system is proposed for generating, storing, and delivering cryogenic liquid oxygen to fuel cell powered underwater vehicles. This cryogenic system increases the mass of oxygen that can be stored in a fixed tank volume compared to high-pressure gaseousoxygen systems. The proposed system integrates cryocooler technology with existing water electrolysis systems on-board the host vessel to autonomously generate the cryogenic liquid oxygen. Cryogenic liquid mass gauging sensor technology is incorporatedto provide feedback control to the cryogenic oxygen generation system. Other unique features of the proposed system include: efficient use of fuel cell waste heat for reactant pre-heat and autogenous tank pressurization, recharging capability, low systemoperating pressures, elimination of boiloff and/or venting of un-reacted components, selectable LOX density, expandable to generate and store liquid hydrogen fuel. Phase I of this proposal will analytically verify the feasibility of the system throughutilization of a new design tool that integrates two existing codes: the Cryogenic System Design Tool and the ChemCAD PEM fuel cell flow simulation module. In addition, selection and initial design of the critical components of the system will becompleted, and a prototype concept for bench-scale experimental validation will be developed for the subsequent Phase I option.The research and development of the proposed technology will lead to a safe, reliable, and efficient fuel cell driven powersystem capable of utilizing cryogenic reactants. This technology will directly benefit both manned and unmanned underwater 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 technologies with cryogenic reactant storage and handling technologies.