Selective Laser Ionization Process Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Topic No.: N05-040 Topic Title: Selective Laser Ionization Process Proposal No.: N051-040-0406 Firm: Physical Optics Corporation Photonic Systems Division 20600 Gramercy Place, Bldg 100 Torrance, California 90501-1821 Contact: Kang Lee Phone: (310) 320-3088 Web Site: www.poc.com Abstract: To address the U.S. Navy need to extract sulfur contaminants in support of hydrogen separation from a logistics fuel reformate stream, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Selective Laser Ionization Process (SLIP) module that can be directly implemented in Navy fuel cell power generation plants. This module performs selective laser photoionization of the sulfur-containing gas species, followed by separation in an electric field. After the sulfur is removed, the rest of the hydrogen extraction process, which is quite straightforward, can be completed with existing, small, light, commercial off-the-shelf components. The SLIP module therefore significantly reduces energy consumption and system size, and does not require removal or replenishment of adsorbents. The SLIP module can be designed to match the sulfur content of NATO F-76 logistics fuel (up to 10,000 ppm), producing hydrogen with a purity level sufficient for fuel cells. In Phase I POC will demonstrate the feasibility of the SLIP module by assembling a proof-of-concept prototype and experimentally quantifying the key process parameters. In Phase II POC will build and operate an engineering prototype for 50 kWe-scale hydrogen separator to prove the potential for compactness, efficiency, and scalability to 500 kW level fuel cell power plants. Benefits: Fuel cells represent a promising energy conservation technology, but remain limited in application largely because of cost. In applications where their costs can be readily justified, simple clean fuels such as natural gas are not used. The proposed technology would be a simple, and effective means to use readily storable and transportable fuels such as petroleum distillates with fuel cell technology, which would open up a wide number of applications. Applications outside the U.S. military will include support of fuel cell powered systems for communications in remote areas, emergency backup power in regions not served by natural gas (much of the Plains States region, as well as Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific Northwest, and the desert portions of the Southwestern U.S.), transportable power for emergency operations (the recent Florida hurricanes), as well as a clean and quiet power sources for recreational purposes. Return