Modular Power Source using Methanol-Containing Fluids as Fuel

Fuel cells are important power sources that can address the Army’s needs for dismounted soldier power and small tactical electric power. Fuel cells produce electric power and are efficient, quiet and smoke free and 4X lighter than batteries. UltraCell fuel cells can be stored and operated from -30C to +50C. If a readily available energy source could be configured to work in a fuel cell, the logistics issue would be solved and a high TRL, lightweight power generator could be rapidly deployed. UltraCell proposed to modify existing logistically available fuel sources and use them in a portable fuel cell. A reformer will convert the feedstock into a hydrogen rich gas, which is fed into a high temperature (HT) PEM fuel cell. The HTPEM fuel cell is tolerant to many impurities that would destroy traditional low temperature fuel cells, and are more rugged when compared to SOFC fuel cells.