Anand Chellappa

Advanced power supplies for long-duration unattended sensors and other devices

MesoFuel, Inc. has developed and demonstrated hydrogen generation systems that, when deployed in conjunction with proton exchange membrane (PEM) or solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) based power systems, can allow extended mission operations for 30 to 60 days at greatly reduced volume and mass from current power supply technologies. This hydrogen generator-fuel cell system can reduce overall power system mass by 55 to 70% over conventional batteries, and in excess of 80% when compared to available hydrogen storage systems when coupled with a fuel cell. Key innovations in microreactor and hydrogen separation membrane design are the enabling features which make possible these much longer run times than can be realized using state-of-the art power generation systems. In addition, the hydrogen generation units can produce either pure hydrogen or a reformate stream from a diverse set of fuels such as light hydrocarbons (methane, propane, butane), heavy hydrocarbons (JP-8, bio-diesel), and ammonia.