A GAS GENERATOR FOR BALLOON INFLATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-03642A001300010027-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 31, 2012
• Sequence Number: 27
• Content Type: MISC

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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/31 : CIA-RDP78-03642AO01300010027-7
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A Gas Generator for Balloon inflation
It is hereby proposed that a feasibility study be made to
investigate the advantages of producing balloon-inflating gas
by means of a hydrazine gas generator.
The use of hydrazine as a gas generant is not new, but its
combination with an ammonia thermal-decomposition unit to reduce
the temperature of the emitted gas is novel. This type of
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generator should offer many advantages over those now existing,
The gas from hydrazine gas generator should provide greater
lift with approximately half the volume of gas that is now
required with hot air. This advantage is gained from the
relatively low molecular weight of the generated gas and
therefore, it should be noted that the lift produced by the gas
from the hydrazine generator is not in any manner dependent
on an artificial state (elevated temperature) as is the hot
air type. The increased lift with reduced volume will also
reduce the time needed to inflate the gas bag. The hydrazine
generator will produce a controllable flow rate of inflating
gas, allowing the choice of the best rate of gas production
consistent with the optimum weight of a portable generator
and its auxliary apparatus. The usual safety disadvantages of
a hydrogen balloon would be considerably reduced because the
inflating gas from this unit will contain nitrogen as well as
hydrogen, but no oxygen.
At this time, it is believed that the generator will be basically
a two stage unit (Fig. 1) consisting of a glow-plug type
hydrazine gas generator and an ammonia decomposition heat
exchanger. The first stage would provide gaseous nitrogen and
hydrogen at elevated temperatures while the second stage would
absorb the heat of these gases and in so doing, produce
additional gaseous nitrogen and hydrogen.
These reactions might be written as follows, with the complete
hydrazine decomposition represented by two consecutive reactions:
1. 3N2H4(l) -= 4NH3(g) + N2(g) ? 80.15 k cal
2. 4NH3(g) --T 2N2(g) ? 6H2(g) - 44.00 k cal
The ammonia decomposition reaction of the second stage would
be identical to equation 2, and so with the proper ratio of
hydrazine and ammonia, the temperature of the emitted gases
should be close to ambient.
It is therefore proposed that for the sum of $2,937.45, the
following phases be accomplished.
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/31 : CIA-RDP78-03642AO01300010027-7
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/31 : CIA-RDP78-03642A001300010027-7
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Phase --I
CONFIDENTIAL
In order that the advantages and disadvantages of the hydrazine
type generator might be better understood, it is proposed that
a brief "state-of-the-art" survey of other types of gas
generators suitable for this end usage be made.
The phase would be a minor part of the program.
Phase II
This phase would consist of theoretical and practical studies
of the basic concepts of the hydrazine gas generator. These
would include the determination of emission gas temperature, its
composition and its compatibility with proposed gas bag material.
It would also estimate the total weight of the apparatus, fuel
quantities and ratio as well as efficiency or lift per pound
of fuel.
This phase would include a design study leading to the submission
of an experimental portable generator design which should meet
specifications.
An estimated cost survey is attached.
CONFIDENTIAL
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/31 : CIA-RDP78-03642A001300010027-7
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/31 : CIA-RDP78-03642AO01300010027-7
REGULATOR
CHECK
VALVE
RESERVOIR
CONFIDENTIAL=
REGULATOR CHECK
VALVE
LIQUID
AMMONIA
RESERVOIR
NITROGEN
PRESSURE
RESERVOIR
HYDRAZINE I HEAT
I
COLD GASES
GAS GENERATOR EXCHANGER
STAGE- I
HOT GASES I----_ i
STAGE- 2
FIGURE -I
HYDRAZINE GAS GENERATOR FLOW DIAGRAM
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/31 : CIA-RDP78-03642AO01300010027-7
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/31 : CIA-RDP78-03642AO01300010027-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/31 : CIA-RDP78-03642AO01300010027-7