TIAX LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: High speed combatant craft utilized by SOCOM, such as the Riverine (SOC-R), use pumped raw

Description

High speed combatant craft utilized by SOCOM, such as the Riverine (SOC-R), use pumped raw water to provide engine cooling for the twin marine diesel engines. While raw water provides an essentially limitless heat sink, it often contains debris which can clog engine strainers, causing the engines to overheat. Thus, engine performance, as well as maintenance, is negatively affected by the use of the raw water cooling system. TIAX LLC proposes a reliable closed-loop coolant system to cool the engines without directly contacting raw seawater. The primary heat exchanger for the system is highly efficient whilst being structurally and thermally robust, light-weight and non-complex. The heat exchanger and proposed cooling system do not degrade the current capabilities of the SOC-R, and, as it is fully contained within the hull of the craft, it will not increase drag losses nor be susceptible to damage during beaching or grounding operations.