Oxygen Storage on Zeolites
Abstract
In an effort to eliminate hazards associated with high pressure and liquid oxygen reserve systems, the United States Air Force has supported studies at the University of Texas to determine the feasibility of Using zeolite Filled Cylinders of oxygen storage. Because of the adsorptive capacity of the zeolite, more oxygen can be contained in a zeolite filled cylinder than in an unpacked cylinder, Depending on the pressure. However, this study has revealed that differences in adsorptive capacity between charge and exhaust pressures determine the deliverable amount of gas in a bed. Using this criterion (instead of merely comparing isotherm capacities to unpacked cylinder capacities), the advantage of zeolite filled cylinders over unpacked cylinders is diminished. Parameters have been measured to allow calculation of estimated bed size for a 200 liter (NPT) reserve oxygen system. Assuming an exhaust pressure of 8.82 psia (0.6 atm), the required size of the system for an unpacked cylinder operating at OBOGS pressure (40 psig) is approximately 64.2 liters. The same system filled with zeolite is 16.8 liters (zeolite mass is 13.2kg). While the improvement using the zeolite is impressive, the cylinder size does not compare favorably with the 1 liter size of an unpacked cylinder operating at 3000 psig. Thus, if space is a serious limitation on an aircraft, the zeolite filled reserve system probably cannot be used at OBOGS pressure. If a compressor is available, system size can be further reduced, at the expense of weight and reliability (because of the compressor).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA209352
Entities
People
- Joseph J. Beaman
Organizations
- University of Texas at Austin