Survey of Alternate Stored Chemical Energy Reactions

摘要

A survey of eight alternative liquid metal stored chemical energy reactions has been made for purposes of comparison with the lithium-aluminum/water, lithium/sulfur hexafluoride, and other reaction schemes. The objective of the study was to survey the potential of these eight reactions as alternate stored chemical energy systems and to develop priorities for future study. Experimental data on the products of reaction and kinetics of reaction are presented for: (Li/H2O; H2/O2), (Li/H2O; NaO2/H2O; H2/O2), (MgAl/H2O; H2/O2), and (LiAl/ClO3F). These data have been collected using thermogravimetry and Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry, with x-ray diffraction analysis of experimental products. Among other results, the data show that the aluminum component of the fuels is relatively inert to oxidation up to 650 degrees C. Above this temperature, materials limitations have hampered the collection of experimental data. Thermodynamic analysis has been used to extend the data on each of the eight reaction schemes, and to predict the chemical reaction which best represents the complete oxidation of each fuel by the indicated oxidant at 1100 K. Enthalpies have been calculated for each fuel/oxidant combination. Safety considerations are also discussed for each.