Weight would be reduced dramatically the man-portable generator would weigh as little as two pounds. The best lithium batteries currently available would have to weigh as much as 20 pounds to provide equivalent power for one week. And, the generator's fuel processor allows the system to be refueled so it can be used again. In addition to the reduction in weight, engineers at the Army and the laboratory expect the portable generator to be less expensive than batteries. It uses a proprietary catalyst to produce hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuels.
Reactions take place within small channels of a catalytic converter.
These micro-channels enhance heat and mass transfer rates and significantly speed up chemical reactions, which reduces the device's size. The man-portable generator is a natural next step as we apply this expertise to portable power issues. Battelle, based in Columbus, Ohio, has operated the laboratory for DOE since 1965. If you wish to quote from any part of this story, please credit Pacific Northwest National Laboratory as the original source.