N101-088 TITLE: Alternative Energy Systems and High Efficiency Water Purification Systems for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations, and Expeditionary Operations

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Materials/Processes

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: MARFORPAC POC: Mr. Donn Murakami, 808-477-8909.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a 5 – 50 kWe alternative/renewable energy system and/or an efficient 200 gallons per day (gpd) water purification system capable of being easily transported and made operational by four (4) people within 2 hours. The systems may be individual stand alone systems or a common system.

DESCRIPTION: Develop a power system and a water purification system – separately or combined – that uses an alternative/renewable energy source (e.g., solar, wind, hydro, current, etc.) vice a logistics (petroleum, bio-fuel, blends, etc) fueled energy source. Either a power systems or a water purification system may be proposed. Alternatively, a combined capability system may be proposed. Both systems must be efficient, modularly expandable in the field and capable of being assembled and made operational within a 4 hour period by no more than four (4) people. The power system will produce a minimum of 5kWe expandable to 50kWe at design ratings. Individual power system modules should weigh no more than 80 lbs (including packaging), should integrate packaging with the renewable power source if possible (to avoid loss upon deployment), be ruggedized for transport, and facilitate rapid deployment.

The metrics for the water purification system will be based on a scaled down version of the Marine Corps/Army Lightweight Water Purifier, though there is no requirement for reverse osmosis to be used. The unit must be capable of treating any source water including seawater (to 60,000 ppm TDS), brackish, turbid, and NBC-contaminated sources. The unit should have higher productivity or efficiency for fresh water compared to seawater. The unit should be lightweight weighing less than 1 pound per gallon per day production capacity based on seawater and should ship with <10 cubic foot of volume. The unit should not use more than 6 kW-hr per 200 gallons of product water from seawater. The unit should require minimal technical expertise to operate. Product water should be to EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations drinking water standards.

The complete power system or the complete water system, or a complete combination system must be capable of being transported in a standard military vehicle/truck or air-lifted by an H-53 type helicopter.

PHASE I: For the power system, conduct a proof of concept demonstration using selected alternative renewable energy source(s). Establish the conversion efficiency at the device and overall system level. The developer must identify the IEEE, ASTM, NEMA and/or other relevant standards the system is being designed to meet. Develop system schematics with volumetric, weight and cost estimates for a complete system.

For the water purification system, a proof of concept breadboard unit should be constructed that desalinates seawater (35,000 ppm TDS) to less than 500 ppm TDS and in fresh water mode treats source water to 15-minute silt density index values (ASTM D4189-07) of less than 3.0 and turbidity values less than 1.0 NTU while showing a pathway to meet the weight, volume, and energy metrics. Novel approaches or approaches integrated with novel power sources should be developed and tested to a level where the technical feasibility to meet program metrics under a phase II is demonstrated.

PHASE II: For the power system, develop a full scale prototype using the selected energy source(s) and conduct a 168 hour continuous test without a significant failure (one that requires replacement of a major/critical element). Measure the conversion efficiency at the device and overall system level. The power output and power quality must meet the appropriate IEEE standards. Develop detailed system drawings and volumetric, weight and cost estimates for a complete system. Prepare a transport plan with erection/assembly details, and an operational guide.

For the water purification system, a robust prototype unit should be constructed that desalinates seawater (35,000 ppm TDS) to less than 500 ppm TDS and in fresh water mode treats source water to 15-minute silt density index values (ASTM D4189-07) of less than 3.0 and turbidity values less than 1.0 NTU while meeting the weight, volume, and energy metrics. The product water should meet EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations with disinfection.

Develop detailed system drawings and volumetric, weight and cost estimates for a complete system. Prepare a transport plan with erection/assembly details, and an operational guide. For a combined system the same demonstrations are required.

PHASE III: The contractor will prepare complete system and user-documentation. It is expected that a successful result will be relied upon to support deployed forces during a joint or international operational exercise to fully demonstrate the capability of the system.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The energy system and the water purification system are directly applicable to civilian disaster relief efforts and other civilian short term remote location applications.

REFERENCES:
1. EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations, (http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html#listmcl)

2. IEEE Standards (http://www.ieee.org)

KEYWORDS: alternative energy; renewable energy; distributed power systems; water purification;

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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