Accession Number:

ADA637186

Title:

Modeling of Water-Breathing Propulsion Systems Utilizing the Aluminum-Seawater Reaction and Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis

Corporate Author:

MARYLAND UNIV COLLEGE PARK

Personal Author(s):

• Waters, Daniel F.

Report Date:

2011-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

159.0

Abstract:

This thesis investigates the use of solid oxide fuel cells SOFCs to consume waste hydrogen and improve the overall performance of a Hybrid Aluminum Combustor HAC a novel underwater power system based on the exothermic reaction of aluminum with seawater. The system is modeled using a NASA-developed framework called Numerical Propulsion System Simulation NPSS by assembling thermodynamic models developed for each component. Results show that incorporating the SOFC is not beneficial in cases where venting hydrogen overboard is permissible. However, when venting hydrogen is not permissible - which is the situation for most missions - the HAC-SOFC provides a 5 to 7 fold increase in rangeendurance compared to equivalent battery powered systems. The utility of NPSS was demonstrated for evaluating and optimizing underwater propulsion system performance. Methodologies for predicting how system volume and mass scale with power were also developed to enable prediction of power and energy density.

Descriptors:

• *ALUMINUM
• *PROPULSION SYSTEMS
• *SEA WATER
• *SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS
• COMBUSTORS
• ENDURANCE(GENERAL)
• HYDROGEN
• PERFORMANCE(ENGINEERING)
• THERMODYNAMICS
• THESES
• UNDERWATER PROPULSION

Subject Categories:

• Electrochemical Energy Storage
• Electric and Ion Propulsion

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE