Search Results

Storable powerplants are needed in many applications of submerged ocean systems. On the basis of cost effectiveness alone, it is shown that storable fuel cell powerplants for fixed and slowly moving mobile systems offer significant advantages over a range from 0.005 to 30 kW in the mission energy range from 0.01 to 100 megawatt-hr. Analysis of high pressure gaseous storage (compatible with deep submergence hulls) shows significant fuel storage volume advantages over storage of cryogenic hydrogen and oxygen. A unique hybrid fuel storage system, using LOX and high pressure hydrogen at LOX temperature shows reduced displacement, compared to both gaseous and pure cryogenic systems, for modest endurance periods. Long term storage involves substantial volume penalties for cryogenic reactants. High pressure gas storage may, however, be substantially excelled on a storage volume basis by solid reagents used to produce hydrogen and oxygen for the fuel cell as needed.