(32e) Advanced Membrane Technologies for Shipboard and Apu Fuel Cell Systems

The U.S. Navy, through the Office of Naval Research, has invested in compact fuel processing technologies for some time. Central to the lessons learned from various development and demonstration efforts has been the need for compact, selective means of gas separation. Such devices are critical for use in removing diluents and poisons from the gas stream to ensure long life. Additionally, high temperature membrane technologies are necessary, to enable simpler process integration for systems where robustness and power density are the key drivers.

This paper and presentation discuss the current programs that the U.S. Navy is investing in, to advance technologies necessary for use in notional shipboard and vehicle APU systems. The work will discuss system drivers and requirements that present the needs for specific types of membrane separation units, as well as how their notional usage plays into certain system designs. Further, this work describes efforts being performed with respect to fuel cell membrane characterization, particularly under use in Naval environments. The overall intent is to inform the viewer of the needs of membrane-based separation operations, from the aspect of system integration, for Navy applications. Real data from various demonstrations and equipment-based models will be presented to augment the points and information shown.