US2978304A - Sodium, calcium, lithium alloy hydrofuel - Google Patents
Sodium, calcium, lithium alloy hydrofuel Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US2978304A US2978304A US297380A US29738052A US2978304A US 2978304 A US2978304 A US 2978304A US 297380 A US297380 A US 297380A US 29738052 A US29738052 A US 29738052A US 2978304 A US2978304 A US 2978304A
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- calcium
- lithium
- sodium
- alloy
- weight
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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- DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M Ilexoside XXIX Chemical compound C[C@@H]1CC[C@@]2(CC[C@@]3(C(=CC[C@H]4[C@]3(CC[C@@H]5[C@@]4(CC[C@@H](C5(C)C)OS(=O)(=O)[O-])C)C)[C@@H]2[C@]1(C)O)C)C(=O)O[C@H]6[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O6)CO)O)O)O.[Na+] DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M 0.000 title claims description 16
- 229910052708 sodium Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims description 16
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 title claims description 16
- OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Calcium Chemical compound [Ca] OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title description 23
- 239000011575 calcium Substances 0.000 title description 23
- 229910052791 calcium Inorganic materials 0.000 title description 22
- 229910000733 Li alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 title description 5
- 239000001989 lithium alloy Substances 0.000 title description 3
- 229910002058 ternary alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 20
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 20
- 229910052744 lithium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 19
- WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Lithium Chemical compound [Li] WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 17
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 17
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 17
- 229960001078 lithium Drugs 0.000 description 17
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 229910000882 Ca alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- USOPFYZPGZGBEB-UHFFFAOYSA-N calcium lithium Chemical compound [Li].[Ca] USOPFYZPGZGBEB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 description 3
- XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Argon Chemical compound [Ar] XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910002056 binary alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002360 explosive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 102100030595 HLA class II histocompatibility antigen gamma chain Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 101001082627 Homo sapiens HLA class II histocompatibility antigen gamma chain Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 229910052786 argon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000001307 helium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052734 helium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- SWQJXJOGLNCZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-N helium atom Chemical compound [He] SWQJXJOGLNCZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002480 mineral oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000010446 mineral oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229910052754 neon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- GKAOGPIIYCISHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N neon atom Chemical compound [Ne] GKAOGPIIYCISHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 description 1
- JTJMJGYZQZDUJJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N phencyclidine Chemical compound C1CCCCN1C1(C=2C=CC=CC=2)CCCCC1 JTJMJGYZQZDUJJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002760 rocket fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002269 spontaneous effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22C—ALLOYS
- C22C24/00—Alloys based on an alkali or an alkaline earth metal
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
- C06B—EXPLOSIVES OR THERMIC COMPOSITIONS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS EXPLOSIVES
- C06B33/00—Compositions containing particulate metal, alloy, boron, silicon, selenium or tellurium with at least one oxygen supplying material which is either a metal oxide or a salt, organic or inorganic, capable of yielding a metal oxide
Definitions
- a suitable lithium-base alloy which melts at a much lower temperature than metallic lithium, possesses a high energy content both per unit volume and per unit weight, is relatively low in cost, can be handled reasonably safely, and can be utilized in many underwater jet propulsion devices.
- the hydrofuel according to my invention comprises essentially an alloy of lithium with calcium.
- This alloy by test, has an energy content per unit weight comparable to that of lithium and higher than that of lithium per unit volume and melts at a temperature well belowthe temperature at which pure lithium becomes fluid.
- the melting point for commercial lithium is 359 ing point curve for lithium-calcium alloys, between 0 and 50% calcium, isgiven in the accompanying drawing in the curve designated by O-OO--.
- the temperature, at which the binary alloy melts gradually decreases from 0% calcium up to about 32% calcium. Beyond this point the melting point curve becomes substantially constant until the percentage of calcium in the alloy reaches 46% by Weight. Through this range of from 32 to 46% by weight calcium, the melting point of the binary alloy is reasonably low and at 46% calcium it reaches its lowest point. Above 46% by weight of calcium, the melting point curve rises sharply and by the time the mixture has reached 50% by weight calcium the melting point is almost as high as the melting point of lithium metal.
- the melting point of the calcium-lithium alloy varies between 292 and 295 F. This is an appreciable reduction from the 359 F. melting point of lithium and is low enough to permit the use of the alloy as a V 2,978,304 l atented Apr. 4,
- .molten liquid alloy heated even as high as 325 F. does not possess the most satisfactory ignition properties upon injection into water. It is commonly desired of a hydrofuel that the substance ignite readily on coming in contact with water. In fact it is desirable that the reaction should begin to take place immediately and spontaneously on contact with water and preferably with substantially explosive rapidity.
- the presence of the sodium aids the ignition, it does not have any harmful or very great effect on the melting point. Actually the presence of the sodium somewhat lowers the melting point below that of the lithium-calcium alloy alone.
- the preferred alloy should contain as much calcium as possible.
- this alloy can be compounded is as follows: The required amount of lithium, calcium and sodium are introduced into a melting pot in which an inert atmosphere is present such as for example, helium, argon, neon, etc. The pot is then heated to between 500 and 600 F. and maintained at this temperature until all of the ingredients have melted to form the threecomponent alloy. Even though the melting point of calcium is 1490" F., the melting point of lithium is 359 F., and the melting point of sodium is 208 F., the molten mixture of sodium and lithium when heated to between 500 and 600 F. dissolves the higher melting calcium. As soon as the alloy is formed, it is cast in a mold, allowed to cool and stored under air tight anhydrous conditions making it ready for use in underwater jet propulsion motors.
- an inert atmosphere such as for example, helium, argon, neon, etc.
- the alloy may be stored by packing and sealing the cast grains in water proof airtight containers, or by storing the alloys under pure white mineral oil in which case the containers do not have to be air tight.
- v 3 from about 3 0% to v about 44% by Weight of ca m, and from about 51% to about 68% by weight of lithium.
Description
wh e
April 4, 1961 R. B. cox 2,978,304
SODIUM, CALCIUM, LITHIUM ALLOY HYDROFUEL Filed July 5, 1952 MELTING POINT CURVE OF LITHIUM-CALCIUM ALLOY (X: ALLOY 5% SODIUM) PERCENTAGE OF CALCIUM BY WEIGHT IN V EN TOR.
BIYQKLH-LB' CD74 United States Patent r 7 12,978,304 s 7 SODIUM,"CALCIUM,LIT HIUM*ALLOY.
HYDROFUEL Robert B. Cox, Pomona, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Aerojet-General Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed July '5, 1952, Ser. N5. 297,380
2 Claims. c1. sz .s
fuel that has a high energy content both per unit weight and per unit volume of the material.
Of all of the pure metals which have been found suitable as hydrofuels, only metallic lithium has a sufliciently low melting point combined with an energy content which is high enough to be of any practical value. Lithium metal, however, is scarce and costly and its melting point while lower than that of most water-reactive metals, is still high enough to make it difficult to use in some types of underwater equipment. A
In accordance with the present invention I have discovereda suitable lithium-base alloy which melts at a much lower temperature than metallic lithium, possesses a high energy content both per unit volume and per unit weight, is relatively low in cost, can be handled reasonably safely, and can be utilized in many underwater jet propulsion devices.
The hydrofuel according to my invention comprises essentially an alloy of lithium with calcium. This alloy, by test, has an energy content per unit weight comparable to that of lithium and higher than that of lithium per unit volume and melts at a temperature well belowthe temperature at which pure lithium becomes fluid.
The melting point for commercial lithium is 359 ing point curve for lithium-calcium alloys, between 0 and 50% calcium, isgiven in the accompanying drawing in the curve designated by O-OO--.
Referring to the drawing, it can be seen that the temperature, at which the binary alloy melts, gradually decreases from 0% calcium up to about 32% calcium. Beyond this point the melting point curve becomes substantially constant until the percentage of calcium in the alloy reaches 46% by Weight. Through this range of from 32 to 46% by weight calcium, the melting point of the binary alloy is reasonably low and at 46% calcium it reaches its lowest point. Above 46% by weight of calcium, the melting point curve rises sharply and by the time the mixture has reached 50% by weight calcium the melting point is almost as high as the melting point of lithium metal.
Between the range of 32 and 46% by weight of calcium, the melting point of the calcium-lithium alloy varies between 292 and 295 F. This is an appreciable reduction from the 359 F. melting point of lithium and is low enough to permit the use of the alloy as a V 2,978,304 l atented Apr. 4,
ICE
.molten liquid alloy heated even as high as 325 F. does not possess the most satisfactory ignition properties upon injection into water. It is commonly desired of a hydrofuel that the substance ignite readily on coming in contact with water. In fact it is desirable that the reaction should begin to take place immediately and spontaneously on contact with water and preferably with substantially explosive rapidity.
I have found that the desired rapid rate of reaction on contact with water can be achieved in alloys of lithium and calcium containing as much as 32 to 46% by weight calcium by adding to the alloy from 2% to 5% by weight of metallic sodium.
Although the presence of the sodium aids the ignition, it does not have any harmful or very great effect on the melting point. Actually the presence of the sodium somewhat lowers the melting point below that of the lithium-calcium alloy alone.
It has been determined that when the percentage of sodium in the alloy is less than 2% by weight based on the weight of the mixture, the sodium content in the mixture is too low for good spontaneous and explosive ignition in water when the molten alloy is injected therein. It has furthermore been found that an excess of about 5% sodium will not alloy and therefore becomes ineffective. The melting point of the ternary alloy of lithium with from 30 to 44% calcium and 5% by weight sodium exhibits a melting point ranging from 285 to 286 F. According to the curve marked XXX this appears to take place when 53% parts by weight of lithium are alloyed with 41 /2 parts by weight of calcium to which has been added 5 parts by weight of sodium.
Since calcium is cheaper and more available than lithium, and because of the increased density achieved by adding an element having a higher specific gravity than lithium, the preferred alloy should contain as much calcium as possible.
A way in which this alloy can be compounded is as follows: The required amount of lithium, calcium and sodium are introduced into a melting pot in which an inert atmosphere is present such as for example, helium, argon, neon, etc. The pot is then heated to between 500 and 600 F. and maintained at this temperature until all of the ingredients have melted to form the threecomponent alloy. Even though the melting point of calcium is 1490" F., the melting point of lithium is 359 F., and the melting point of sodium is 208 F., the molten mixture of sodium and lithium when heated to between 500 and 600 F. dissolves the higher melting calcium. As soon as the alloy is formed, it is cast in a mold, allowed to cool and stored under air tight anhydrous conditions making it ready for use in underwater jet propulsion motors.
The alloy may be stored by packing and sealing the cast grains in water proof airtight containers, or by storing the alloys under pure white mineral oil in which case the containers do not have to be air tight.
. v 3 from about 3 0% to v about 44% by Weight of ca m, and from about 51% to about 68% by weight of lithium.
References Cited inthe file of this patent I UNITED ,SIAIE BA ENI 515,500 :Nohel Feb-.27, '1894 1,532,930 O?Neil l Apr. '7, 1925 2,573,471 Malina et a1. Oct. 30, 1951 4- OTHER REFERENCES Bielkowicz: Evolution of Energy in Jet and Rocket Propulsion, Aircraft Engineering, vol. 18, No. 205, March 1946, pp. 90-92.
Journal of the American Rocket Society, No. 72, December 1947, pp. 10, 14-22 inclusive.
Grant: Lithium as 2 Suggested Rocket Fuel, The Journal of Space Flight, vol. 2, No. 10, December 1950, pp. 3-5 inclusive.
Claims (1)
- 2. A NEW HYDROFUEL COMPRISING A TERNARY ALLOY CONSISTING OF FROM ABOUT 2% TO 5% BY WEIGHT OF SODIUM,
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US297380A US2978304A (en) | 1952-07-05 | 1952-07-05 | Sodium, calcium, lithium alloy hydrofuel |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US297380A US2978304A (en) | 1952-07-05 | 1952-07-05 | Sodium, calcium, lithium alloy hydrofuel |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US2978304A true US2978304A (en) | 1961-04-04 |
Family
ID=23146075
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US297380A Expired - Lifetime US2978304A (en) | 1952-07-05 | 1952-07-05 | Sodium, calcium, lithium alloy hydrofuel |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US2978304A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5232659A (en) * | 1992-06-29 | 1993-08-03 | Brown Sanford W | Method for alloying lithium with powdered aluminum |
| EP2472642A3 (en) * | 2010-12-30 | 2012-12-19 | Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. | Rechargeable battery |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US515500A (en) * | 1894-02-27 | Alfred nobel | ||
| US1532930A (en) * | 1919-12-05 | 1925-04-07 | O'neill John Hugh | Method and means of producing heat |
| US2573471A (en) * | 1943-05-08 | 1951-10-30 | Aerojet Engineering Corp | Reaction motor operable by liquid propellants and method of operating it |
-
1952
- 1952-07-05 US US297380A patent/US2978304A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US515500A (en) * | 1894-02-27 | Alfred nobel | ||
| US1532930A (en) * | 1919-12-05 | 1925-04-07 | O'neill John Hugh | Method and means of producing heat |
| US2573471A (en) * | 1943-05-08 | 1951-10-30 | Aerojet Engineering Corp | Reaction motor operable by liquid propellants and method of operating it |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5232659A (en) * | 1992-06-29 | 1993-08-03 | Brown Sanford W | Method for alloying lithium with powdered aluminum |
| EP2472642A3 (en) * | 2010-12-30 | 2012-12-19 | Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. | Rechargeable battery |
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