TASK ORDER NO. C

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-03642A001300010051-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 31, 2012
• Sequence Number: 51
• Publication Date: August 21, 1958
• Content Type: LETTER

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~FIDENTIAI.
August 21, 1958
Task Order No. C
~l~z
The purpose of this letter is to review the events of the
simulated-field demonstration of the full-scale hydrogen generator
that was held on August 5, 1y58, and to summarize the results of
the meeting that followed this demonstration. Since this was the
first full-scale operation of the unit,, the demonstration took
more time than would be necessary under actual field conditions.
The demonstration started at approximately 9:40 a.m. and was com-
pleted at 2:40 p.m., with about a one-hour lunch period. VPe believe
that one man could perform the entire operation, including the
balloon handling, in approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes if all of
the equipment and materials were within 200 feet of the site. Taking
the movies, purging the generator, installing the experimental thermo-
couples, and the operator's inexperience were all factors that in-
creased the time of the simulated-field demonstration.
In order to assist your thinking in regard to future use
of the generator, we have outlined for your consideration a possible
operating schedule and the possible effect, on this schedule, of the
tentative modifications that were mentioned on August 5.
?~~~i~TIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL
Possible Operating Schedule
In general, the schedule presented below is in the same
sequence as was the full-scale test. Since most of these operations
were observed by you and your associates, and since they are shown
in the moving pictures, no great detail is given for the operations.
The possible operating schedule is as follows:
(1) Carry the generator, Box A (hand pump, weight
bag, and 100-foot rope), and Box B (catalyst,
catalyst chart, thermometer, and rubber gloves)
approximately 200 feet to the site (in 2 trips). 5 minutes
(2) Inflate the generator airmat section and pre-
pare for entry into the water:
(a) Push in inlet tubes
(b) Attach anchor (rope)
(c) Straighten unit to upright position
(d) Gather rocks.
20 minutes
(3) Finish gathering 15 to 20 pounds of rocks,
place the rocks in the weight bag, and tie the
bag to the bottom panel of the generator. 10 minutes
(4) Move the generator into the water and begin
filling. 5 minutes
____-------e
(5) Carry 5 packages of sodium borodydride, the
balloon, the catalyst container, and related
equipment to the site. 15 minutes
(6) Check the generator for air pockets and
extent of fill. 3 minutes
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(7) Unpack the chemicals; partially fill the
catalyst container with water. 5 minutes
(8) Unpack and lay out the balloon on the ground
at the shore edge. 10 minutes
(y) Check the generator for air Dockets and
extent of fill. 3 minutes
(10) Finish the balloon preparations (inlet-tube
S 1
position, tie down, etc.). ,, '~ 10 minutes
(11) Check the generator for air pockets and
extent of fill.
(12) If check indicates sufficient fill, pull out the
inlet tubes and tie them off; pull the generator
near to the shore line.
(13) Pour in the sodium hydroxide and then the
sodium borohydride.
(14) Take a temperature reading on the water in the
generator; refer to the catalyst chart and mix
the catalyst.
(15) Tie the balloon inlet tube to the generator
outlet and check the equipment.
(16) Pour in the catalyst solution and tie off the
catalyst entry tube; check the generated-gas
flow.
(17). Allow hydrogen generation to continue.
COIF Ff DENTlRL
3 minutes
5 minutes
10 minutes
6 minutes
5 minutes
5 minutes
25 minutes
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On the basis of this schedule, it appears that, if the
equipment and materials are far removed from the site, the
present generator fill time would not slow down the over-all opera-
tion since the second group of equipment and materials (Step 5) could
be transported to the site during the fill time. However, if the
equipment and materials were at the site, there would be some waiting
for the generator to fill with water, unless the addition of the
borohydride or the mixing of .the catalyst were to be accomplished
during the fill time. ~ ~" ! '~~'~..'~~ M-}:.y..,,.4
Possible Modifications of the Generator
During the meeting following the demonstration, the
mechanics of the operation were discussed briefly and ideas here
presented for modifications that would reduce the total time re-
quired for the operation of the unit. Ideas on modifications were
considered for the operation of the generator, the packaging of
the chemicals, and the attachment of the balloon. Any modifications
on the generator would probably have to be mare by the manufacturer,
and it appears that these would require a minimum time of six weeks.
The principles of packaging the chemicals to reduce the time re-
quired to pour the chemicals into the generator can be investigated
at our facilities, but, of course, final packaging configurations
probably should be decided by a packaging company. On the basis of
mutual agreement with~the balloon attachment and the balloon
handling were not a part of the Task Order No. C research program,
GC~~F~~~~~T~AL
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CONFIDENTIAL
except for the provision on the generator of a 6-inch-diameter
outlet with a lip, to facilitate attachment of the balloon inlet
tube. However, there is no apparent reason why this work could
not be handled at our facilities, if you so desired.
The following summarizes the ideas on modifications of
the generator and related equipment that were presented during the
meeting on August 5.
Reduction of Generator Fill Time
The investigation of methods to improve the water-filling
characteristics of the generator and thus reduce the time required
for the filling operation has been relatively limited. We are of
the impression that a fill time of 1 hour may not be unreasonable,
since there are other activities to occupy the operator's time
during the fill period. Nevertheless, modifications as described
below may speed up the filling of the generator.
Water Inlet Tube. The two inlet tubes can be replaced
with one or more larger openings which would reduce the chances of
restricting the spontaneous flow of water into the generator. The
ease of opening the water inlet may be improved by this modification,
but the tie-off step may be made more difficult. ~ ~-~~i~~''
Generator Weights. It is known that the generator fills
faster when the downward force on the generator is increased because
this force increases water-level differential between the inside
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and outside of the unit. The addition of weight can be made by
tying weights on the bottom panel of the generator or by placing
these weights in pockets which can be provided on the bottom panel.
Also, weight can be added to the unit by placing the chemicals,
water, rocks, or other types of material on the top of the generator.
The effect of weights on the bottom has been investigated, but the
effect of weight on the top has not been studied.
Operator's Procedure. The spontaneous filling of the
generator may be supplemented by efforts of the operator in pouring
water through the gas outlet tube with an auxiliary pail or in
directing into the gas outlet tube the water which is trapped on
the top of the unit (by manipulating the unity No attempt has been
made to gage the effectiveness of the se types of action.
Reduction of Airmat Inflation Time
The time required to inflate the airmat section of the
generator can be reduced by using a C02 cartridge, which could be
provided, or a pump with a larger displacement than the one that
is currently being used. In view of the low weight of the unit as
compared to the specifications, the provision of a C02 cartridge
appears to be in order, but a pump should probably also be provided
"just in case".
COItI~IDcNTIAL
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Reduction of Borohydride Addition Time
The addition of the borohydride can be speeded up by the
compatible design of the entry port on the generator and the
packaging for the material, so as to allow free flow of the material
into the generator. Also, the entry port could be made large enough
to permit dumping of borohydride from almost any type of package
into the generator without restrictions. If the port for the addi-
tion of the borohydride were increased considerably in size, it probably
would be necessary to provide a separate outlet tube for balloon
attachment.
Reduction of Catalyst-Solution Mixing
and Entry Time
The time required to mix and to pour in the catalyst solu-
tion depends on the ease of measuring the proper amount of catalyst,
of mixing the solution, and of pouring the solution into the catalyst
ring of the generator. As in the case of the borohydride entry
system, the shape and type of package for the catalyst should be
closely related to the shape and type of opening on the catalyst-
solution mixing container. The size of the catalyst inlet tube to
the ring probably should be enlarged, but the entry ring probably
could not be modified without further experiments which would
determine the effect of the catalyst distribution on the generation
time. The present extent of the generator water-fill time would
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become less critical if, during this time period, part of the catalyst
Safety Measure
There is some question as to the danger of a hydrogen and
air explosive mixture in the generator during the initial surge of
generated gas. The possibility of a very loose top panel that would
collapse over the .eater fill and eliminate or at least minimize the
dead-air space in the generator was discussed. The catalyst entry
system and airmat-section support would have to be modified in order
to accomplish such a change. The possibility of reducing the over-
all height of the unit to effectively that of the filled generator
was also mentioned. The need for space to accommodate the foam
generated during the basic chemical reaction(s), the need for pro-
viding for proper distribution of the catalyst solution, and the
fact that, if the dead-air space were eliminated, modifications of
the airmat section would be required in order to maintain the shape
of the unit by support of the stays were considered as deterrents
to making such changes.
Balloon Adapter
It was obvious from the demonstration that consideration
has to be given to the attachment of the balloon inlet tube to the
generator. Special adapters and fasteners are needed to permit
quick and positive attachment of the balloon inlet tube. The
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length of the balloon inlet tube must be kept to a minimum and the
water condensate (from the reaction) must be prevented from block-
ing the flow of hydrogen because the back pressure during a fast
generation reaction could possibly burst the generator under these
conditions.
If there are any questions about the demonstration or the
procedures summarized here, please let us know. 6'Je are looking
forward to seeing you during the last week in August.
Sincerely,
In Duplicate
t. ,
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