CHEMICAL AIR PURIFICATION AND PRODUCTION OF OXYGEN

Abstract

This article is a study of the interaction of technical sodium superoxide (NaO2, 85% pure) with water vapor at -10, -5, 0, and 20 C. At temperatures from -10 to 0 C, oxygen and hydrated sodium peroxide were the end products. The octohydrate (Na2O2.8H2O) was the most stable hydrate. The amount of heat evolved in the reaction was determined. At 20 C, however, both NaO2 and Na2O2 rapidly decomposed with rapid evolution of oxygen and heat. Hydrated sodium hydroxide (NaOH.H2O) was the solid end product of the reaction. The article is indicative of continuing Soviet efforts to find the most economical method of employing oxygen-producing reagents for air purification in closely confined areas (e.g., in manned space vehicles). Temperatures for the study (from -10 to 20 C) were obviously selected to simulate biologically acceptable conditions. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 29, 1961
Accession Number
AD0254411

Entities

Organizations

  • Library of Congress

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Chemical Compounds
  • Elements
  • Group 16 Elements
  • Hydroxides
  • Nonmetals
  • Oxygen
  • Peroxides
  • Personal Information Managers
  • Production
  • Sodium
  • Sodium Hydroxide
  • Spacecraft
  • Superoxides
  • Vapors
  • Vehicles
  • Water Vapor

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Molecular Photonics/Laser Physics
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Software Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Space