Low Emission AMTEC Automotive Power System. Final report for Department of Energy Contract DE-FG02-94ER81696
This program investigated the potential for Alkali Metal Thermal to Electric Converter (AMTEC) technology to be useful in automotive power system applications. AMTEC, a thermally regenerative electrochemical energy conversion system, converts heat into electricity from a heat source at 750 C to 850 C and a radiator at 200 C to 350 C. AMTEC uses external combustion with correspondingly low emission of NO{sub x} and hydrocarbons, and can tolerate essentially any hydrocarbon fuel. Efficiencies of 20% to 30% are projected to be feasible for systems of 25 kWe to 40 kWe peak output. The research program has shown that there are significant advantages to be achieved if AMTEC systems can be made cost effective for vehicle applications. Among these are (1) higher efficiency at part load than IC engines can yield, (2) omnifuel capability, and (3) low noise and low emission of pollutants. Demonstrated lifetimes already above 12,000 hours should be adequate for most vehicle applications. In major production, AMTEC costs are projected to reach $1/Watt, a value still too high for widespread automotive main power application. AMTEC's unique capabilities for low emissions, all-fuel operation, and insensitivity to ambient temperature, however, do make it a potential option for specialized vehicle applications needing these properties.
- Research Organization:
- Advanced Modular Power Systems, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Research (ER) (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG02-94ER81696
- OSTI ID:
- 809435
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 17 Apr 2001; PBD: 17 Apr 2001
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
ALKALI METALS
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY CONVERSION
HEAT SOURCES
POWER SYSTEMS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
AUTOMOBILES
ENGINES
TEMPERATURE RANGE 1000-4000 K
HYBRID ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT
COST
PROGRESS REPORT
AMTEC
POWER
LOW EMISSION
OMNIFUEL