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Solid Oxide Fuel Cells in Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Applications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2011

Louis George Carreiro  and
A. Alan Burke
Louis George Carreiro
Affiliation:
carreirolg@npt.nuwc.navy.mil, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Energy Systems Branch, 1176 Howell Street, Bldg 1302/2 Code 8231, Newport, RI, 02841, United States, 401-832-5097
A. Alan Burke
Affiliation:
burkeaa@npt.nuwc.navy.mil, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Energy Systems Branch, 1176 Howell Street, Bldg 1302/2 Code 8231, Newport, RI, 02841, United States
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Abstract

The Navy is currently investigating solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) for the propulsion of unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs). SOFCs are being targeted because of their potential to carry out extended missions, which are not possible using current battery technology. In addition, they offer the advantages of being able to utilize energy-dense hydrocarbon fuels and are self-sustaining while supplying heat to reforming processes.

The SOFC system evaluated in this study consisted of a Ni-YSZ-based, 6-cell stack with anode supported cells close-coupled with a micro-channel steam reformer. Various reformate gas compositions, steam to carbon ratios and flow rates were tested to gather a range of data under the expected operating conditions of UUVs. The system was operated for more than 70 hours consuming approximately 0.5 to 0.7 ml/min of fuel and producing about 100 to 230 watts of power. The integrated stack and reformer displayed stable performance with a fuel utilization of 80% and an efficiency of 50% at maximum power output.

Keywords

energy-storagecatalyticceramic
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 973: Symposium BB – Mobile Energy , 2006 , 0973-BB04-07
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2007

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References

REFERENCES

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