Microlith® Catalytic Reactor for Cabin Air-Cleaning

Precision Combustion, Inc.

North Haven, CT

Ultra-compact, lightweight, fast-lightoff catalytic reactor with resistive-heating capability for volatile organic constituents (VOC) trace contaminant control systems (TCCS)and other applications

• Prototype reactors built operating on 27 V dc and 120 V dc power supplies.
• Prototype units tested in developmental spacecraft atmosphere revitalization system
• Demonstrated as retrofit to present International Space Station system.
• Cumulative private capital investment by private parties exceed $2M.
• Technology also in development for fuel processing, exhaust after-treatment, and specialty catalytic reactor applications.

• Product marketed by Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) as Microlith® reactors.
• A total of 10 Microlith® patents awarded. This innovation protected by U.S. Patent 6,328,936.
• PCI’s Microlith® family of products include clean and efficient catalytic combustors and fuel processors for fuel cells, fuel reforming, IC engine after-treatment, H₂O₂ decomposition, and burners.
• Target markets include automotive, aerospace, power generation and defense applications
• Products sold to date include the featured catalytic oxidizer, catalytic converters for IC engines, infrared generators for aerial targets, PROX reactors for on-board fuel reforming, and anode gas burners for fuel cells. Sales exceed $1M.
• Products manufactured by PCI’s Microlith® business unit.
• Competitive advantage of Microlith® technology lies in its uniquely high performance to weight and performance to size characteristics, efficiency, and fast thermal response while utilizing catalyst effectively to be cost competitive.

• Prototype units made for NASA spacecraft cabin air-quality control; fuel reformers for DOE, NSF, and DOD; burners for DARPA.
• Reduction of International Space Station annual logistics mass of up to 380 pounds.
• Final prototype demonstration testing now underway in 2002 with NASA program funding
• Additional potential NASA missions include lunar/Martian habitats and long-term flight manned spacecraft. Additional DOD missions include submarine and manned shelter trace contaminant removal.
• Demonstration program with DOE for fuel processors.
• NASA direct Phase III support is $200,000. EPA Phase III is $300,000.

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