Oxygen Source for Underwater Vehicle Fuel Cells
Abstract
Four successful tests were conducted to demonstrate the usefulness of lithium oxide as a catalyst and manganese as a fuel for the release of oxygen by the decomposition of lithium perchlorate at low temperature. The test apparatus included two stainless vessels, one to hold molten lithium perchlorate and the other the reaction vessel. The molten perchlorate was fed to the reaction vessel using dry nitrogen gas as a driver. Two tests were conducted using lithium oxide as a catalyst with the reaction chamber at 1,000 deg F. Both tests produced oxygen immediately upon introduction of 600 deg F lithium perchlorate. These tests lasted for eight and thirteen minutes. Two additional tests were conducted using a mixture of manganese and lithium oxide in the reaction vessel at 600 deg F. In both cases there was an immediate, significant temperature increase indicating oxidation of the manganese. The feed nozzle plugged during both manganese tests, most likely due to lithium perchlorate decomposition in the nozzle due to high temperature. The report includes a go forward plan for additional quantifying tests.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 04, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA399463
Entities
People
- Jonathan A. Peters
- Kevin D. Hotton
- Martin Klanchar
- William E. Batton