Alternative Fuel Technologies, Inc. Awarded New Phase 1 U.S.
Army Contract
The U.S. Army has awarded a new Phase 1 Contract for
development of ultra high pressure jet propellant-8 (JP-8) fuel
injection systems to Alternative Fuel Technology, LLC (AFT), a
wholly owned subsidiary of Alternative Fuel Technologies, Inc.
The Army uses JP-8 jet fuel for all of its equipment from
helicopters to diesel powered trucks and generators. JP-8 presents
durability and reliability problems for many types of commercial
fuel injection systems.
"This latest contract was awarded to the Company because of our
extensive experience with this type of fuel injection system," said
James McCandless, Chief Executive Officer of Alternative Fuel
Technologies, Inc., in a news release Monday. "It was awarded to us
under the DoD's SBIR program, which funds early stage research and
development projects and small technology companies. The SBIR
program was funded at approximately $1.2 billion in FY2009, and is
part of a larger, federal SBIR program, which is administered by 12
federal agencies and receives more than $2 billion in funding."
Key objectives of this contract are the design, development and
demonstration of an intensified, lube oil actuated common rail
injection system capable of producing peak injection pressures of
more than 40,000 psi (2800 bar). The system must also be readily
adaptable to Army engines. A key design feature of this concept
will be the use of AFT's advanced high pressure Dimethyl Ether
(DME) injection pump modified to pump engine lube oil to drive the
new injector.
AFT is also engaged in several other advanced fuel system
projects for the U.S. Army including a Phase 2 contract valued at
more than $700,000 (final award being negotiated) for the redesign
of a commercial diesel common rail pump to lower wear to acceptable
levels.
As part of its SBIR program, the DoD issues an SBIR
solicitation three times a year, describing its R&D needs and
inviting R&D proposals from small companies -- firms organized
for profit with 500 or fewer employees, including all affiliated
firms. Companies apply first for a six-month to nine-month Phase 1
award of $70,000 to $100,000 to test the scientific, technical, and
commercial merit and feasibility of a particular concept. If Phase
1 proves successful, the company may be invited to apply for a
two-year Phase 2 award of $500,000 to $750,000 to further develop
the concept, usually to the prototype stage.