Precision Combustion is developing a variety of technologies for aerospace applications. These technologies, funded by NASA, U.S. Air Force and others, provide high value in a compact and lightweight package.
For aerospace fuel cell systems, PCI is developing ultra-lightweight fuel reformers and fuel processors for solid oxide and high temperature PEM fuel cell stacks. These ultra-compact fuel reformers and fuel processors allow fuel cells to operate on available fuels such as Jet-A, JP-5 and JP-8. PCI is also developing ultra-compact and lightweight anode gas oxidizers for fuel cell systems. The company is also developing complete fuel reformer/solid oxide fuel cell power generation systems.
For aerospace cabin environmental systems, PCI’s oxidation, adsorption and chemical reaction technologies are being developed into products for a variety of applications. PCI’s ultra-lightweight Trace Contaminant Control catalytic oxidizer for VOCs was developed for the International Space Station (ISS) and has been operated for over 16,000 hours at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. A new version of the catalytic oxidizer is integrated with a recuperator. PCI is also developing compact regenerable adsorption technologies to adsorb CO2, water vapor and other compounds in closed air environments for the ISS and future moon and Mars missions. A new application is for spacesuit TCSS as part of the primary life support system (PLSS).
PCI is also developing chemical reactors for air revitalization system (ARS) and ISRU applications. Our Sabatier reactor can be used for recycling oxygen from CO2 from cabin air or in generating oxygen from Martian atmosphere CO2. Our Bosch reactor under development is used for CO2 reduction by reacting CO2 with hydrogen and forming solid carbon and water.
For aircraft engine applications, PCI developed catalytic glow plugs under an Air Force SBIR PH II contract targeted for UAV and other engines for ignition assistance and improved operating stability using low cetane fuels. A complementary technology we have developed is a cetane sensor to measure the cetane number of fuels.
Contact PCI to learn more how we may bring solutions to your aerospace applications.
