초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for storing and retrieving oxygen are provided on a steady flow basis. The temperature of a storage vessel containing lithium perchlorate (LiClO4) in the solid state is raised until a molten bath of the LiClO4 is formed. The molten bath of LiClO4 is maintained at a setpoint te

A method and apparatus for storing and retrieving oxygen are provided on a steady flow basis. The temperature of a storage vessel containing lithium perchlorate (LiClO4) in the solid state is raised until a molten bath of the LiClO4 is formed. The molten bath of LiClO4 is maintained at a setpoint temperature which is less than the temperature at which substantial decomposition of the LiClO4 occurs. The molten LiClO4 is then caused to flow from the storage vessel to a reaction vessel whose temperature is raised sufficiently to assure essentially instantaneous and complete decomposition of the LiClO4. Specifically, within the reaction vessel, a spray of the molten LiClO4 is directed toward an internal target surface, upon the impingement with which decomposition of the molten LiClO4 into LiCl and O2 occurs.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of storing and retrieving oxygen comprising the steps of: (a) heating a storage vessel containing LiClO4 in the solid state until a molten bath thereof is formed; (b) maintaining the molten bath of LiClO4 at a setpoint temperature which is less than the temperature at which substantial deco

A method of storing and retrieving oxygen comprising the steps of: (a) heating a storage vessel containing LiClO4 in the solid state until a molten bath thereof is formed; (b) maintaining the molten bath of LiClO4 at a setpoint temperature which is less than the temperature at which substantial decomposition of the LiClO4 occurs; (c) providing a reaction vessel; (d) heating the reaction vessel to a decomposition temperature having a magnitude substantially higher than the temperature at which instantaneous decomposition of LiClO4 occurs; (e) continuously delivering molten LiClO4 to the reaction vessel; (f) directing a spray of the molten LiClO4 at a heated internal surface within the reaction vessel to cause decomposition thereof into LiCl and O2; and (g) withdrawing O2 from the reaction vessel.