Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: To address the SOCOM"s need for a system to generate hydrogen from water on site for

Description

To address the SOCOM"s need for a system to generate hydrogen from water on site for use in combatant craft diesel engines, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Thermal Hydrogen Extractor on Board (THEB) system. It is based on a new POC-developed technology of hydrogen generation and COTS components to extract and supply this hydrogen. The innovation in system design will enable the THEB system to utilize the dissipated heat of the marine diesel engine. The THEB technology directly addresses the acquisitions program"Special Operations Craft Riverine"and a platform requirement because it does not create the additional load on the engine and does not require the redesign of the engine. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of THEB technology by experimental study on the generation of hydrogen from water on site and analysis of data for the introduction of hydrogen into the air stream of a diesel internal combustion. In Phase II, POC plans to develop and fabricate a THEB prototype, and test it by introducing varying amounts of hydrogen into the air stream at the time of induction with a diesel/gas internal combustion engine to be provided by Naval Special Warfare Group Four.