INTELLIGENT FIBER OPTIC SYSTEMS CORP — Department of Energy SBIR Phase I: 24a

Description

DOE is seeking measurement technologies of Sensors for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) applications. Two synergistic applications are targeted to realize low-cost electricity generation by natural gas- or coal-fueled SOFCs: (1) distributed generation, and (2) carbon capture and sequestration in power plants. The goal is to address SOFC’s technical and economic barriers to commercial viability, development, and deployment in support of Clean Coal and Carbon Management Research Program (CCCMRP). The focus is on research and implementation of multivariable sensors to monitor cells, stacks, or Balance of Plant (BOP) environments, affecting performance and levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). The multivariable measurands include: Temperature (T), Pressure (P), and Gas Chemistry (C). Simultaneous measurements of T/P/C is required to enable next-generation cell health and condition monitoring. IFOS’ Innovative Real-Time Fuel Cell Sensor System, FC*SenseTM is minimally-intrusive, EMI/RFI-immune, multiplexable, compact, and low-cost. It enables concurrent real-time measurements of T/P/C. The sensing medium is based on specialty (<50m diameter) Sapphire Optical Fibers (SOFs), including cladded micro-structured types, capable of operating reliably at high temperatures and in corrosive environments. The sensors will be specially packaged to meet the geometric and environmental requirements. FC*Sense sensors, which are based on photonics, are electrically passive and will not short the electrically conducting fuel cell stacks and columns. The sensing SOF is remotely interrogated by an innovative miniaturized interrogator, based on Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), leveraging the well-established semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure. IFOS’ sensors are expected to meet the demanding uptime targets and operational lifetime of SOFCs (> 45,0000-hours). The IFOS technology is directly applicable to transport, industrial equipment, cooling, power, renewable energy, disaster relief, and applications where grid power is not available.