N251-018 TITLE: Compact Electric Fuel Pump for Extreme Viscosity Fuels and Slurries

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Hypersonics

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

OBJECTIVE: Design and demonstrate an electric metering fuel pump capable of pumping highly viscous liquid and slurry fuels with SWaP sufficient for a flight vehicle.

DESCRIPTION: Fuels with higher energy density than JP-10 are being explored to improve system range. Unfortunately, many of these candidates (including metal particle slurries) are significantly more viscous than standard jet fuel. Enabling the use of the more viscous fuels would offer new platforms increased range potential over conventional fuels. Based on Navy defined parameters (viscosity, particle size, run time, flowrate, power draw, etc.) the proposer should design and demonstrate an electric pump minimizing total pump weight/volume/power draw. Metrics of success include fluid metering accuracy and repeatability of throttle authority.

Pump requirements:

1. Capable of moving neat liquids of 1.5 St or greater,
2. Capable of moving slurry fuels that use a hydrocarbon liquid fuel as a base and:

i – contain maximum of 50 wt. % of solids,

ii – where the particles are between 50 nm and 60 µ in diameter, and

iii –the particles are 9. 0 Mohs or harder

3. Maximum controllable flowrate of at least 5 gallons/min (18.9 L/min),
4. Minimum controllable flowrate of no more than 0.3 gallons/min (1.14 L/min),
5. Repeatable flowrate control of +/- 0.1 gallons/min (+/- 0.38 L/min),
6. Sustained pumping of viscous and slurry simulants for minimum 45 min at minimum 90% flowrate without failure,
7. Capable of starting and continuous operation from -40 °C to 50 °C,
8. Weigh no more than 15 lb (6.8 kg), and
9. Take up no more than 130 in.^3 volume.

PHASE I: Design and simulation of electric fuel pump meeting or exceeding Navy defined requirements. Pump design must incorporate high-accuracy metering capability and throttle authority with high-viscosity fluids and slurries. The Phase I effort will include prototype plans to be developed under Phase II.

PHASE II: Production and testing of middle-weight pump. Pump does not have to be at final flight-weight or compact packaging, but must have clear pathway towards being so. Testing of the pump will include endurance runs using simulant fluids and slurries. Metering accuracy and throttle authority of the design to be evaluated.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Refine design of pump using Phase II test results. Produce and evaluate a flight-weight and compact pump capable of meeting Navy defined specifications with representative working fluid.

Technology developed for a compact, high-viscosity pump can be used as upgrades to larger industrial pumps to extend life and/or capabilities.

REFERENCES:

1. Overstreet, M.; Zakem, S.; Tornabene, R.; Bennett, J. and Teague, C. "Lightweight fuel pump and metering component for advanced gas turbine engine control." 26th Joint Propulsion Conference, 1990, p. 2032. https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/epdf/10.2514/6.1990-2032

2. Ferreira, C. A.; Jones, S. R.; Drager, B. T. and Heglund, W. S. "Design and implementation of a five-hp, switched reluctance, fuel-lube, pump motor drive for a gas turbine engine." IEEE transactions on power electronics, 10(1), 1995, pp. 55-61. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/368460

3. Cathey, J. J. and Weimer, J. A. "Control of an aircraft electric fuel pump drive." IEEE transactions on aerospace and electronic systems, 24(2), 1988, pp. 171-176. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/1050

4. Choudhury, P. R. "Slurry fuels." Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 18(5), 1992, pp. 409-427. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/036012859290008O

KEYWORDS: Pump; Fuel; Compact; Slurry; Viscosity; Metering;

N251-018

TPOC 1: John Ellis
(760) 939-9543
Email: [email protected]

TPOC 2: Claresta Dennis
(760) 939-405
Email: [email protected]

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