A STUDY OF THE APPLICATION OF LITHIUM CHEMICALS TO AIR REGENERATION TECHNIQUES IN MANNED, SEALED ENVIRONMENTS

摘要

A thermochemically self-propagating oxygen-generating compo-sition was formulated of 84.82% (by weight) lithium perchlorate oxidant, 10.94% manganese metal powder fuel, and 4.24% lithium peroxide chlorine suppressant additive after an extensive study of lithium perchlorate-fuel interactions. The average available oxygen content from the combustion of this composition is 49.2% (by weight). At a compacted density of 2.32 grams/cc, the oxygen content of the mixture is equivalent to that of an equal volume of liquid oxygen at its boiling point of -183°C. Studies were performed on utilizing the concomitant carbon dioxide absorption and oxygen release potentials of lithium peroxide. Effective use of the material is achieved only in moist atmospheres where lithium hydroxide appears to be the active carbon dioxide absorbent and where oxygen generation occurs through the thermal decomposition of hydrogen peroxide formed in the reaction Li?02 + 2H20 = 2LiOH + H,02 . The results of axial flow absorption column experiments show the need for lithium peroxide of high sur¬face area, high porosity, and retention of the heat of reaction to promote oxygen evolution. Engineering design and development of prototype equipment to supply the oxygen requirement for one man-day and to absorb the carbon dioxide output for one man-day were successfully completed by fabrication and testing of a lithium perchlorate-based oxygen generator and a lithium peroxide-based carbon dioxide absorption unit.