North Haven, CT (June 30th, 2020) – Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II program award from the Department of Defense to further develop a photovoltaic powered dehumidification system for individual combat vehicle interiors to reduce moisture build-up and corrosion, mold and fungal growth that could damage the vehicle.
The proposed system is a very low-power, photovoltaic approach for efficient dehumidification of Army vehicles during vehicle storage. This method can be extended to any vehicle or enclosed space that could suffer negative effects from humidity, such as from corrosion, mold, or fungal growth, protecting against resulting costly vehicle maintenance. Our approach uses solar energy and a high efficiency design to maintain low humidity, without external or vehicle battery power and without using desiccant dehumidification bags and their associated maintenance labor or higher power interior automated dehumidification systems.
During Phase I, PCI demonstrated a proof-of-concept system for photovoltaic-powered unmanned humidity control of combat vehicle interiors to avoid corrosion, mold, and fungal growth during storage. Testing confirmed the possibility of consistently maintaining relative humidity inside the vehicle at the 45-50% target, even under saturated, 90% or higher humid outdoor conditions via an assembly of simple, inexpensive, and reliable components. Minimal power was required and obtained from the solar/battery hybridized power supply. During the Phase II effort, PCI will refine the system design, demonstrate performance, and deliver to the Army a fully packaged dehumidifier prototype with associated controls and BOP, capable of unattended operation within a stationary Army vehicle.
Principal Investigator, Dr. Codruta Zoican-Loebick states, “The prototype will be capable of maintaining the humidity level inside the cabin at optimum levels to avoid any degradation of vehicle components. Our dehumidification system will lower the cost and power needed to maintain a dry environment during Army vehicle storage.” Kevin Burns, President of PCI, adds, “PCI’s solar-powered dehumidification system offers inexpensive unattended humidity control for reduced maintenance and longer vehicle lifetimes. We look forward to this Phase II and then to transitioning this to military fleets. Rust and mold are a general challenge in vehicular and other closed environment storage, and we see many follow-on applications.”
Precision Combustion, Inc. is a clean energy and environmental technology company developing new reactors and systems for energy and environmental sector applications.
For more information, contact:
Anthony Anderson
Director, Business Development and Marketing
Email: aanderson@precision-combustion.com
