CATALYTIC COMBUSTION OF ATMOSPHERIC CONTAMINANTS IN SPACE VEHICLE ATMOSPHERES.

Abstract

The general purpose of this project was to study the kinetics of oxidation of various atmospheric contaminants by several catalysts. A differential rate method was utilized to determine a reaction rate that depended only on catalyst type and was therefore useful for comparing catalyst performance independent of reactor geometry. The oxidation of 0.1 per cent of methane and Freon 12 as contaminants in air was investigated. A reactor and gas preheater were devised which allowed precise temperature control. Hopcalite, palladium supported on alumina, vanadium pentoxide, and silver permanganate were the catalysts considered. Palladium was found to be more effective catalyst than Hopcalite for oxidizing methane. Palladium was also effective in oxidizing Freon 12, but the catalyst was poisoned with respect to further oxidation of methane. Differential rates at various temperatures up to 600 F were determined to compare catalyst performance. Neither vanadium pentoxide nor silver permanganate significantly oxidized methane at temperatures up to 600 F. The differential rate method proved useful for comparison of catalyst performance. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1965
Accession Number
AD0465711

Entities

People

  • M. Markels Jr.
  • P. L. Garwig
  • R. H. Johns

Organizations

  • ARCO

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Atmospheres
  • Catalysts
  • Chemical Reaction Properties
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Combustion
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Geometry
  • Kinetics
  • Oxidation
  • Palladium
  • Spacecraft
  • Temperature Control
  • Vanadium
  • Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Thin Film Deposition Science.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris