Hybrid Oxygen Generation for Aircraft Using Ceramic Membranes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft oxygen supply systems are inefficient, particularly at high altitudes, as they rely on bulky pressurized cylinders and technologies like molecular sieve and ceramic oxygen generators that require time to reach operational temperatures, leading to delayed oxygen availability and increased weight and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid system that combines chemical and ceramic oxygen generators, where excess heat from chemical oxygen generators is used to rapidly heat ceramic membranes, accelerating the ceramic oxygen generator's operational temperature and providing immediate oxygen supply during emergencies and descents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ceramic oxygen generators are used to produce oxygen on-board, then oxygen supply efficiency is improved, but the system requires time to reach operational temperature causing delayed oxygen availability
Solution Approach 1:
The chemical oxygen generator is activated in advance to produce heat, which is then transferred to the ceramic oxygen generator to preheat it to operational temperature. This preliminary heating action eliminates the startup delay of the ceramic oxygen generator, ensuring immediate oxygen availability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The exothermic chemical reaction in the chemical oxygen generator, which produces heat as a byproduct, is utilized to heat the ceramic oxygen generator. The heat that would otherwise be wasted is converted into a useful function of bringing the ceramic generator to operational temperature, solving the delay problem.
2Reliability
If pressurized oxygen cylinders are used for oxygen storage and distribution, then oxygen availability is ensured, but the system increases aircraft weight and fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid oxygen generation system uses on-board chemical and ceramic oxygen generators to produce oxygen autonomously during flight. This self-service capability eliminates the need for heavy pressurized storage cylinders and ground-based distribution infrastructure, significantly reducing aircraft weight while maintaining oxygen availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical pressurized cylinder storage system is replaced with chemical reaction-based oxygen generation systems. The chemical oxygen generator uses exothermic decomposition reactions, and the ceramic oxygen generator uses electrochemical reactions, both of which produce oxygen on-demand without requiring heavy pressurized storage infrastructure.
3Duration of action of moving object
If chemical oxygen generators are used for short duration flights, then oxygen supply is adequate, but the system cannot meet oxygen demands for longer duration flights or challenging terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges two different oxygen generation technologies: chemical oxygen generators for immediate oxygen supply and ceramic oxygen generators for sustained oxygen production. This combination allows the system to meet oxygen demands for both short duration flights and longer duration flights, as well as adapt to varying flight conditions and terrains.
Solution Approach 2:
The system can change operational parameters by switching between or combining chemical and ceramic oxygen generation modes depending on flight duration, altitude, and oxygen consumption rate requirements. This parameter adjustability provides versatility for different flight scenarios while maintaining adequate oxygen supply duration.
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
This hybrid system ensures prompt and efficient oxygen delivery, reducing wait times and reliance on bulky cylinders, while conserving oxygen and minimizing maintenance costs by integrating heat from chemical reactions to expedite ceramic oxygen generation.
Implementation Method 1
heat produced by the chemical oxygen generator through exothermic decomposition reactions
Implementation Method 2
heat from the chemical oxygen generator is used to heat the ceramic membranes of the ceramic oxygen generator
Implementation Method 3
a ceramic oxygen generator that utilizes solid electrolyte oxygen separation (SEOS) technology in which oxygen is separated from air inside specialized ceramic materials at high temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a hybrid system for generating oxygen on-board an aircraft for passengers and/or flight crew to breath. The system includes a first chemical oxygen generator component configured to promptly supply oxygen suitable for breathing upon an emergency situation arising and during an initial descent mode. Heat produced from the exothermic decomposition reactions inherent in several types of chemical oxygen generators can be harvested and feed to a second oxygen generator. The second oxygen generator is a solid electrolyte oxygen separation system that catalytically separates oxygen from air inside specialized ceramic materials at high temperatures, about 650° C. to 750° C., using electrical voltage. The ability to feed heat from the first oxygen generator to the second oxygen generator substantially reduces the lag time until the second ceramic oxygen generator is available to take over as the oxygen supply.