SBIR-STTR Award

Thermal Storage Systems proposes a lightweight mobile solar-powered hot-water ("SHW") system that meets or exceeds the requirements of the solicitation. We have placed particular emphasis on ruggedness, operational flexibility, 24-hour availability and ease of deployment. The proposed system consists of five independent SHW modules each of which is equipped with a compact high temperature thermal storage device ("TSD")that allows the production of essentially instant hot water at flow rates up to 10GPM (50GPM in aggregate). Storage of hot water is therefore minimized. Electrical power to operate the system is also generated using energy from the TSD. The SHW will stow in two TRICONS and can be deployed quickly by relatively unskilled personnel. The methodology for deploying and re-packing the SHW is discussed. Given minimal Baghdad insolation, the system can meet the requirements without the need for liquid fueled heaters. However, a supplemental liquid fueled heater is proposed as an option, capable of pre-heating the system or providing continuous operation in the event of multiple cloudy days.

Keywords:
Solar Energy, Heat Storage, Thermal Storage, Solar Hot Water, Deployable Solar, On-Demand Hot Water, Water Heater, Portable Hot Water

Proposed is a full scale, production-ready prototype of a solar-powered system for producing hot water (SHW) to support Army Forward Operating Bases. The approach is innovative in that the system collects and stores energy in the form of high quality heat rather than hot water. It provides on-demand hot water in a manner akin to commercial “tank-less” hot water heaters. The system is comprised of 12 identical, independently operating units, each of which can collect 250,000 BTU/day, which in the aggregate meets the requirements for a 150 soldier Forward Operating Base. Six of these units can be packed into a single TRICON. The system design assures that there is no single point of failure. One potential advantage of this approach is that the basic system can also become a standard platform, with most parts interchangeable, for fulfilling many base energy requirements, such as electrical power generation and steam for thermal desalination systems and for field hospitals. TSS has assembled an excellent team for this project, including Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, The Pilot Group and Yankee Scientific in order to produce a final engineering design that is ready for manufacturing, with particular attention paid to compliance with MANPRINT guidelines.

Keywords:
Solar Energy, Phase Change Material, Energy Storage, Hot Water, Solar Thermal, Concentrated Solar, Thermal Storage, Solar Hvac