Gas-generating Composition for Submarine Ballast Flushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid gas-generating compositions for emergency deballasting in submarines face issues with solid residues from alkaline or alkaline earth nitrates causing nozzle blockages and the high cost of polyglycidyl azide polymers, which are problematic for rapid ballast flushing.
Innovation Solution
Replacing polyglycidyl azide with hydroxy-terminated polyesters or polyethers and alkaline or alkaline earth nitrates with a mixture of ammonium perchlorate or chlorate and specific nitrates, such as sodium nitrate, to avoid solid residues and toxic gas production, while optimizing the composition's weight percentage for effective gas generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If alkali or alkaline earth nitrate is used as oxidizing filler, then large quantity of nitrogen, carbon dioxide and oxygen is delivered, but solid residues are formed that can disrupt ballistic operation and block nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing pure alkali/alkaline earth nitrate with a mixed oxidizer system containing ammonium perchlorate (40-70 wt%), ammonium chlorate (0-30 wt%), and alkali/alkaline earth nitrate (10-30 wt%). This parameter change modifies the combustion products to eliminate solid residues while maintaining gas yield.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite oxidizing filler system combining ammonium perchlorate, ammonium chlorate, and alkali/alkaline earth nitrate. This composite approach allows the benefits of multiple oxidizers to work together: ammonium perchlorate provides oxygen, ammonium chlorate prevents HCl formation through neutralization, and the nitrate component maintains gas generation efficiency, collectively eliminating solid residues.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If polyglycidyl azide polymer is used as binder, then combustion products are free of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, but the very high cost makes commercialization problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive polyglycidyl azide polymer with cheaper alternative binders such as polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, or their copolymers. These materials are significantly less costly while still providing the necessary binding function and producing acceptable combustion products free of toxic hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the binder composition parameters by using glycol-based polymers with specific molecular weights and hydroxyl values. This parameter change maintains the toxic-free combustion property while dramatically reducing material cost, enabling commercial viability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The new composition eliminates solid residues and toxic gases like HCl, ensuring only nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen are produced, maintaining gas yield while avoiding nozzle blockages and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
solid gas-generating compositions... the combustion products are free of hydrogen and carbon monoxide
Implementation Method 2
oxidation of alkali or alkaline earth nitrate... formation of alkali or alkaline-earth chloride salts
Implementation Method 3
a crosslinking system... crosslinked polyester
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a solid gas-generating composition comprising: -a) a polymeric binder selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol and diethylene glycol polyadipate;- b) an oxidising charge consisting of a mixture of (b1) ammonium perchlorate or ammonium chlorate with (b2) an alkaline or alkaline-earth nitrate selected from the group consisting of sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, strontium nitrate and barium nitrate. It also relates to a pyrotechnic charge comprising the composition according to the invention in a structure. Finally, it relates to the use of the composition according to the invention or the pyrotechnic charge according to the invention for generating clean gas for fast flushing of submarine ballasts.