Improved Softwall Shelter Heating System
Navy SBIR FY2015.1


Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2015.1
Topic No.: N151-001
Topic Title: Improved Softwall Shelter Heating System
Proposal No.: N151-001-0791
Firm: Altex Technologies Corporation
244 Sobrante Way
Sunnyvale, California 94086-4087
Contact: Mehdi Namazian
Phone: (408) 328-8303
Web Site: http://www.altextech.com
Abstract: A fuel flexible heating system will be developed to allow the use of alternate fuel sources such as wood, wood pellets, corn husks and other readily available plant-based organics, and even solid waste generated by the Marine Corps. The system will integrate the Altex proven fossil fuel burner with a gasifier that has been proven on Army wastes, creating a Clean Multi Fuel Soft Wall Shelter Heater System (CMF-HEAT). The system will also use a compact heat exchanger design to reduce the system weight and volume. Under Phase I the system will be designed and a full scale system consisting of the fossil fuel burner and gasifier will be tested to show the feasibility of the concept. These tests and analysis will be used to compare the CMF-HEAT weight, volume and performance with the targets that are listed in the topic. Under the Phase I option, a detailed design will be generated for low cost manufacturing and will be the basis for a Phase II, under which a prototype will be developed, tested and delivered for field testing.
Benefits: After a successful Phase II project, a proven production prototype of the CMF-HEAT will be ready for manufacturing. The system will save the Marine Corps over 50% in fossil fuel consumption, compared to the existing heaters. Assuming 1000 systems are deployed throughout the services, the total cost savings to the government would be $21 million/yr. In addition to these economic benefits, the deployment of the system would reduce the number of the fuel convoys, which also saves lives.

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