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Expeditionary Portable Oxygen Generation System
Navy SBIR 2014.2 - Topic N142-087 MARCOR - Ms. Elizabeth Madden - [email protected] Opens: May 23, 2014 - Closes: June 25, 2014 N142-087 TITLE: Expeditionary Portable Oxygen Generation System TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Biomedical ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM Combat Support Systems (CSS), PdM Combat Support Equipment (CSE) OBJECTIVE: The objective is to develop a portable oxygen generation system that consumes less electrical power, and has a compact cube/size and reduced weight. This objective is in support of the expeditionary medicine requirements of the Marine Corps. DESCRIPTION: The Forward Resuscitative Surgical System (FRSS) provides an expeditionary surgical capability for the surgical stabilization of injured warfighters. Portable Oxygen Generation (POG) is a core technology for Marine Corps medical operations. For expeditionary medical applications, POG systems are used to produce medical-grade oxygen from air. The oxygen is used for patient ventilation, anesthesia, refilling oxygen bottles, etc. (Ref. 1). Presently, the FRSS uses two On Site POGS (Ref. 2). The current power demand of these POGS can exceed 1800 W, often creating a power overload of the FRSS electrical generators. Additionally, the current technology�s space and weight are 34.35 cu ft. and 644 lbs. This footprint creates an increased burden on the logistics chain. While the currently used On Site POGS do produce oxygen at the concentration levels desired, they are considered too heavy, bulky and/or are not robust enough in design to properly facilitate the mission of the FRSS. Oxygen bottles are used in limited circumstances; however, due to their finite storage capacity they too create a logistics burden that is not sustainable as a primary solution for the provision of oxygen. Commercially available systems, such as the Oxygen Generating Systems International�s OG and OGS series or the PCI DOCS series, do not produce the required output, or are too heavy or big, not man-portable, and are not intended to operate in harsh environments. Improvements may be realized with the application of some advance technology concepts such as, but not limited to, new compressor technologies (reduced power consumption, size), alternative/lighter material systems, or running on alternative power sources such as batteries (Ref 3, 4). The Marine Corps seeks innovative approaches in the development of a smaller, lighter, man-portable (2-4 personnel), and more energy efficient (requiring reduced electrical and mechanical power to operate) oxygen generation system capable of producing medical-grade oxygen for patient administration and oxygen bottle refilling. Proposed concepts should have a total weight that does not exceed 350 lbs., and a volume that does not exceed 20 cubic ft. The maximum operational power should not exceed 1200 Watts with a start-up surge power that does not exceed 1250 Watts. Proposed concept should be able to produce United States Pharmacopeia (USP) 93% oxygen, at flow rates of 10�15 Liters Per Minute (LPM) as well as be able to produce up to 2200 PSIG to enable the refilling of D-size oxygen bottles. Proposed concepts shall be expected to operate in all climates and environments that may be encountered by USMC forces and shall not exhibit operational degradation at ambient temperatures between 125�F and -40�F. Proposed concepts must be able to operate in all humidity levels up to 100 percent and must be resistant to the effects of salt/water spray, and extreme sand and dust conditions to the extent outlined in MIL-STD 810F/G (Ref. 2, 5). Successfully developed technologies shall be employed in all FRSSs and shall have the ability to be transported in all tactical cargo and medical vehicles including Marine Corps rotary aircraft. PHASE I: The small business will develop concepts for an improved expeditionary portable oxygen generation system that meets the requirements highlighted in the description. The company will demonstrate the feasibility of the concepts in meeting Marine Corps needs and will establish that the concepts can be developed into a useful product for the Marine Corps. Feasibility will be established by material testing and analytical modeling, as appropriate. The small business will provide a Phase II development plan with performance goals and key technical milestones, and will address technical risk reduction. PHASE II: Based on the results of Phase I and the Phase II development plan, the small business will develop a scaled prototype for evaluation. The prototype will be evaluated to determine its capability in meeting the performance goals defined in the Phase II development plan and the Marine Corps requirements for the expeditionary portable oxygen generation system. System performance will be demonstrated through prototype evaluation and modeling or analytical methods over the required range of parameters including numerous deployment cycles. Evaluation results will be used to refine the prototype into an initial design that will meet Marine Corps requirements. The company will prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the technology to Marine Corps use. PHASE III: If Phase II is successful, the small business will provide support in transitioning the technology for Marine Corps use. The small business will develop a plan to determine the effectiveness of the expeditionary portable oxygen generation system in an operationally relevant environment. The small business will support the Marine Corps with certifying and qualifying the system for Marine Corps use and shall also submit the system for proper Food and Drug Administration certification. As appropriate, the small business will focus on scaling up manufacturing capabilities and commercialization plans. PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The potential for commercial application and dual use is high. The proposed system would be easily portable and well suited in areas where limited power is available. The expeditionary portable oxygen generation system can be used in medical facilities of various sizes, emergency management agencies, disaster aid and humanitarian aid agencies, and municipal fire and rescue squads. REFERENCES: 2. On Site Gas Systems, "Portable Oxygen Generation (POGS)," http://www.onsitegas.com/portable-oxygen-generators. 3. "Hybrid System For Separating Oxygen From Air," Sandia National Laboratories, 12 March 2013. http://techportal.eere.energy.gov/technology.do/techID=489. 4. Staiger, Chad L., et al., "Hybrid System for Separating Oxygen from Air," Patent Number: 7,875,101, Issued 25 January 2011, http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-ParserSect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearchbool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,875,101.PN.&OS 5. Department of Defense., MIL-STD-810G, Department of Defense Test Method Standard: Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests, 31 Oct 2008, http://www.atec.army.mil/publications/Mil-Std-810G/Mil-std-810G.pdf. KEYWORDS: oxygen generation; medical oxygen; portable oxygen; POG; expeditionary medical; energy efficient
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