20-500 watt AMTEC auxiliary electric power system

This paper describes the results of a Phase I SBIR effort to design an innovative, efficient, reliable, long life AMTEC Auxiliary Electric Power System (AEPS) for remote site applications (20-500 watts). The concept uses high voltage AMTEC cells, each containing 7 to 9 small electrolyte tubes, integrated with a combustor and recuperator. These multi-tube AMTEC cells are low cost, reliable, long life static converters. The simplicity, efficiency (20% systems) and modularity of this technology allow it to fill applications as varied as light-weight backpacks, remote site power supplies, and military base power. Phase I demonstrated the feasibility of a 20% system design, and showed that the development needs to focus on identifying long life AMTEC cell components, determining the AMTEC cell and system reliability, and demonstrating that a 20 watt AMTEC system is 3-5 times more efficient than existing systems for the same application. By replacing the existing 10-120 watt remote site systems with AMTEC systems, the Air Force would save $6-9 million per year in fuel transportation costs and reduce the personnel risks associated with transporting propane. The system developed for this application will then be used for self-powered furnaces and cogeneration AMTEC systems. The potential total annual market size for these commercial applications is estimated at $500 million. The military could realize additional annual savings of $100 million by installing these commercial AMTEC products on base heating systems increasing the potential savings to the nation to a total of $1 billion with these commercial products.