GB1048276A - Improvements in or relating to steam generation and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

1,048,276. Combustion chambers operating under pressure. THIOKOL CHEMICAL CORPORATION. July 30, 1963, No. 30167/63. Heading F1L. [Also in Division F4] Apparatus for generating steam by catalytically converting hydrogen peroxide to steam and oxygen and supplying hydrogen to react with the oxygen consists of an elongated cylinder including a decomposition chamber 34 and a combustion chamber 35 having a water jacket 36. A catalyst 40, e.g. a silver screen, is mounted in front of the chamber 34 which contains a hydrogen preheating coil 44. In operation hydrogen peroxide from a nitrogenpressurized tank passes through a perforated plate 43 and the catalyst 40 wherein it decomposes to steam and oxygen at a high temperature. Hydrogen flows through the coil 44 and enters the chamber 35 through perforations as shown, the hydrogen immediately burning with the oxygen. Water flowing through the jacket 36 enters the chamber through perforations 37 to flash into steam. Pure steam discharges from the chamber in a saturated or superheated state. The steam may be used as the motive fluid in a jet vacuum pump 46 from which it exhausts to a condenser 47 whence the condensate is returned to the apparatus by a pump 48. The pump 46 may be used in an emergency pumping system of a naval vessel or in any system where large quantities of liquid must be handled but is of particular application to the testing of rocket engines serving to exhaust gases therefrom to simulate high altitude conditions.