REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL WORK UNDER TASK C OF CONTRACT RD-26 WITH (SANITIZED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-03642A001300010018-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 31, 2012
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: April 10, 1957
• Content Type: MEMO

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In replying please address:
Marsh 27, 1957
~noloaed is our proposal for an additional eight~onth period
of research on the development of a hydrogen generator. It is based on
resent disoussions with your technical representatives.
In connection with the pertorman~ of the proposed researoh,
it is our understanding that your technical representatives will furnish
the sodium borohydride needed and also one or two balioone for use in
the toll-scale experiments,
To facilitate the prosecution of the proposed program, it is
recommended that the aontraot contain express approval for the procurement
of two experimental generator units at a cost of approximately X6,500. As
an alternativ+?, the Contrasting Offiaer~s approval night be granted in an
accompanying letter.
We are looking forward to working together oa this proposed pro-
gram. It you should have any questions regarding our proposal, please let
us know. Lny inquiries of a aontraotual nature may be directed to
at F~ctension 875.
osure
In Duplicate
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EXTENSION PRAPOSAL
on
THE DBVB'I~DPMEN~ Off' A H~?RC1GII+t GEI+iERATOft
Introduction and Objective
This proposal presents Phase II of a research program directed
toward the development of a prototype hydrogen generator, Phase I of this
program was conducted under Task Order No. C of our current contract and
was devoted to relatively small-scale studies of the re-quires-ents for an
experimental hydrogen generator capable of generating enough hydrogen to
provide 25O lb of lift at sea level (about 3,500 ~ ft of hydrogen) over a
period of 45 to bO minutes. Phase I includeda literature seaxchi an attaly
sis of the must desirable systems emon~patible with the Sponsors specifica-
tions for the generator of interests a laboratory investigation of the
charact?ristice of the hydro genesgenerating reactions and the preliminary
desf gn of an experimental full-scale hydrogen generator.
The ob3ective of Phase Ii of the research probe as proposed
here would be to conduct research directed toward the developmsut and
evaluation of a prototype full scale (about 3,50? cu ft} hydroger- generatarj
with the Sponsos~s stated specifications being goals for the proposed eZ?
perimental dervice. IA view of the high cost of the basic chemical (sodium
bornhydride)f the evaluation portion of the proposed program would include
a series oY 1/5~*scale studiesy and then two or three gill-scale studies.
Conclusions of Phase I (Task Order No. C) Study
The research performed under Phase I showed that the cobalt
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chloride ~- radium borahydride hydrolysis system sroulti probably most satis-
factari],y meet the requirements at the Sponsor. 4n the basis at this pr~-
vious research] the below-indicated details relative tca the hydrolysis read
tiara in and the prraposed des#gn far the prototype generator were tentatively
arrived ate
Pool dimensions
Total sa2utivn
Sodium by+draxide
Sodium bca~tahydride X98 ~)
Capacity
Cobalt chloride
lnitia~. temperature
$ighest temperature of Gaff-gas
1+l/2 tt in depth x ~0 sq ft
pf surface area
gpproximately ~6Q gal
+~.a lb
1D(} lb
~,~ZOO cu ft ~2 in 45 to 6E> min
2.lt lb in approximately lA gal ~0
7~y f22C~
130 ~ t5t~ C
The Phas? I study showed t~~at,~ under adiabatic conditiaaas, this
reaction system may be scaled to substantially a~* sires. The largest sirs of
experimental generatcyr used in the Phase I study produced about 3b cu ft of
hydrogewi~ this pas a vertical cylinder 1? in. in diaaeeter and 1-].j/~ ft in
height. (Scaling hews reduced tc a aone?~di8lonal prable~r" by keeping the
depth of solution constant at l~l/?2 t't.~ Because the reaction in this e~*-
perimental generators as Drell as in the smaller experimental units= rase
approximately adiabaticy ft vas concluded that there ~rould probably ba t~
ma~ar px'c>blems in scaling up eacperiasgntal gameratars beyond the 36??cu~ft
capacity.
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Discussion of th,e Problem
in the research program described here: the effort xould be directed
taivard developing and evaluating an experimental full-scale generator based cn
the desi~ Which xaa evolted under Phase I (Task Order lio. C).
The principal problem inrmlved in applying the results of fibs s~i.l?
scale Studies of the aodiu~- borohydride hydrolysis to a prototype tu11?scala
generator is to establish the time required for complete generation. The
cobalt chloride ? sodium borehydride hydrolysis reaction that mould be used
for the proposed generator is a heterogeneously catalysed reaction. As a re-
sult~ the chemical kinetics and therefore the total generation tin~e~ are
Strongly intluenaed by fibs distribution of the catalyst throughout the system.
It NaS proposed in the 3ummar,~.~ ?n Ta~sk~ Order,~~ dated January 28~
195~s that the cobalt chloride solution be introduced through 10 openings in
the proposed i'ull.?Srale reactor. Because of the sensitivity of this systma
to the dispersion at the catalysts it is possible that 10 openings iaould not
be sufficient. Yf this factor Were to be scaled up directly trom the Phase I
reeearahi about 100 openings ~u1d be neaesSaryj it is not expected that su:ah
a large nuiaber of openings is required. The number of openings xould bs es-
tablished under the proposed research program.
The rate of solution of the sodium borohydride and the homogeneity
of the resulting solution are not earpected to present mayor problea~S~, but
should be given some consideration. it is possible that in rur:ning a unit
like the proposed generators the operator ~a3.ght drop a large batch of sodium
borohydride in the pool within the unity, ands because of insufficient stirring
a large clump milt result that `could not dissolve at a rapid enough rate.
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If the reaction was started before the borohydride ways csompletely dissalv~i~
the hydrogen generation rate would initially be claw. It is recognised th$t
the process of solution could continue and that the stirring resulting from
the hydrog~; evolution would aid in e.chietting complete solutican of the boxt3-
hydrfd~e. F~owesrer~, tie over-all effect is uncertain.
Pzo aed (}eneral Method of Procedure
The proposed research program as outlined in this section has been
set up to include the imrestigation of the effects of catalyst dispersion
and of the solution rate of the borohydr~:de on the operation of an experi~
mental fuLt-scale generator. Because of the coat of the sodium borohydride#
each full?~sc~ale experim~t would imrolve approximately ~-3,000 for materials
alone. Fur#hex~ore,~ if a full scale experiment aborted! the materials in-
solved could not be reclaimed. In an effort to reduce the cost of evalua-
tion~ and 'thus of the propoa~ program, it is contemplated that twta sires
of experimental generators would be used ~ these studies: a i/~-scale and
a full-~acale experimental g+~erator. The arnaller unit eroukl have onefifth
the pool area and the same depth (l~l/~ ft} as the experimental fu13.-~acale
generator. The diamster of the smaller unit would be about 3-1f2 ft end
the generation capacity, about 7lt0 cu ft of hydrogen. Since the reaction
grevioualy run in the ~erimental 36~cu~ft generator was almost adiabatitt~
it is nQt expected that the generation rate in these larger experimental
generators mould increase over that obtained in the ~~r-cu-ft u~.t.
Tiro aeries of experiments are proposed for the sunaller experi~
mental generator. t?ne series xould use the full pool depth of 18 in. The
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other would use a pcwl depth of 9 in. and would involve the generation of
about 3~lt4 au ft of hydrogen. The purposa of tre hal.f?depth studies would
be to study the reaction in a pool in which the diameter?to+depth ratio
would be nearly that of the proposed full?aasle generator.
Studies With the eri~ntal 1 ~Saale generator
The following variables ~rould be investigated using the smetller
experimental geuerator~
(1) Homogeneity of the borohydride solution ? the effect of the
diameter+to*depth ratio on the solution homogeneity, ands in turns its
effect on the rate of generation.
(2} pA ? the effaat of the amount of sodium hydroxide on the
rate of solution and on the rate of generation.
t3} Distribution of the catalyst ? the effect of the spacing
and the number of catalyst?entry openings (poste} on the rate of g~eration.
(1~} Initial te~aperature ? the relationship between cobalt ahlorids
sad the initial taeeperatures and its effect on the rate of generation. (See
Table lb of the S rt on Task order ido. G# dated January 28, 1957.}
51nae the above variables are interdependent it is difficult to
indicate aaaurately* at this timer the nuadaer of experi,~nta that would have
to be oonduated. However, it is currently estimated t~a-t 10 to 15 ~s~?
menta is the amu].3.er experimental generator Mould be sufficient to provide
the needed intorrsation. Some of these experiments could be run at full
pool depth, and the remainder at half pool depth. &tforts won]~d be muds to
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design and conduct these experiments $o as to obtain the needed intor~aation
froar the smallest number of experiz~ents.
The effect of solution rate andjor clumping of the eodiua boro??
hydride would also be studied. It let expected that the prosecution of this
study mould not inf3.ueoae the total number of experiments requireds since
this stuxly would represent a preliminary step in the performance of the
above~indioated experiments and would be done in con3unetion with them.
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Study With the Eacperimental Full-Scale Generator
It is believed that, at a minimum, two experiments should be
run in order to investigate the operation oP the experimental full-sins
generator. However, it maq be desirable to make some minor changes in
the sgatem on the basis of the results obtained from the first full-
scals experiment. Conssquentlq, it appears prudent to provide for up
to three full-scale experiments in the proposed program.
gxperimental Procedure
At the start of the proposed research period, a fined-price
purchase order would be placed with
for an experimental 1/5-seals generator. The specifications
for this unit would be scaled down from the experimental design described
in the Suse~ary Report on Task Order Ito. C, dated January 28, 1957?
The experimental full-scale generator would not be ordered at
that time, since its specifications would not be established until some
time after the 1/5-seals studies were under Iraq or until thews Studies
were concluded. It should be possible to fire up the design and place a
fixed-pries purchase order for the experimental full-scale generator
early enough in the proposed program so as to prevent undue delaq.
Consideration would be given tt> accessory techniques and/or
minor equipment needed to facilitate the operation of the proposed ex-
perimental generators. The operational aspects that would bs scrutinised
could include, for example, the inflation of the experimental units pre-
paratory to generating hgdrogen and the pre-mixing of the catalyst solution.
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Because of the physical sine of the e~acperimental units and the
safety haaards associated Kith the large mounts of hydrogen involved,
it is proposed that the above-indicated experiments be conducted outdoors.
However, a special building is available that would permit the 1/5-scal?
studies to be conducted indoors, if necessary. It is contemplated that
all of the chemicals would be used as supplied by the cosmaercial sources
end that the water irivoived would be obtained from the rivers in the
area.
In a typical eexperi.aeent, the required amount of water would be
admitted into the experimental generator through the unsipperod opening,
the xater would be made alkaline: with sodium hydroxide, and then the
sodium borohydride would be dissolved. The experimental unit would be
slppered closed, the pra-mined cobalt chloride solution would be added,
and the volume of evolveeci hydrogen would be measured. In the experimental
1/5?scale generator studies, it is contemplated that the evolved hydrogen
would be aeetered through a gas meter. The Sponsor would probably be
interested in having the full-scale experiments conducted so that the
hydrogen gernerated would be trapped in a representative balloon. Other-
wise, the hydrogen from the full-scale experiments would also be metered
through a gas meter. It is expected that the 3pansor xould be present
during at least one of the full-scale experiaae:nts.
Attar the conclusion of the full-scale experiments, the proto..
type full-scale generator would be shipped to the Sponsor for field
testing. As a result of experience with the experimental full-scale unit,
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the Sponsor might have comments with regard to the unit. these would be
discussed; to the extent possible within the time and funds provided in
the proposed contract and within the limits imposed by the materials and
method of fabrication used in the experimental full-scal? unit, mutually
agreed upon modifications would be made in the design. It is recommended
that a~ other modifications be made as part of a Phase III activity, to
be provided for under another contractual arrangement. Such a Phase III
effort might also include the preparation of specifications, drawings,
and an operators manual, if desired.
On the basis of recent discussions, it is expected that one or
two balloons, for use in the full-scale experiments, and 500 pounds of
sodium borohydride would be furnished by the Sponsor. The indicated
amount of borohydride is based on the requirements of the currently
planned schedule of experiments, including approximately ten 1/5-scale,
half-pool-depth experiments (about 10 pounds per experiment); about five
1/5-scale, full+pooi-depth experiments (about 20 pounds per experiment);
and up to three full-scale experiments (about 100 pounds per experiment).
Since it is i~sportant that the necessary purchase orders be
placed as quickly as possible, it is recommended that the proposed contract
contain express approval far the procurement of the experimental 1/5- and
full-scale generators. As an alternative, the Contracting Officer could
grant this approval in an accompanying letter. On the basis of preliminary
as __..__s ___ _~ ~~
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estimated that the two experimental units would cost approxiaately $6,500.
It is anticipated that atwo- to three?month delivery time xould
be involved in the procurement of the experimental units from the commer-
cial fabricator. It is possible that additional delays occasioned by
weather interfer?nce in the scheduling of some of the proposed experiments
might also be encountered. However, every effort would be made to conclude
the proposed research program as quickly as possible.
Beparts and Liaison
The Sponsor would be kept informed of the progress of the re-
search program by informal monthly reports. 'These reports xould be sup-
plemented by ~aeetings with the Sponsor. At the conclusion of the proposed
research period, a summary report would be prepared that xould include a
description of the experiments conducted and the results obtained.
Duration and Ssti~aated Costs
It is proposed that the contract provide for an eight-month
period of research, xith an estimated appropriation of #1.8,285, including
the fixed fee. The general breakdown of the estimated costs is attached.
The Contract
The proposed contract would be a periodbaais research agree-
ment, consistent with our currant contractual arrangements and providing
only for a fixed period of research leading toward the objective outlined
in this proposal.
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