Lift Gas Cracker

Award Information

Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration	Branch: N/A	Award ID: 66920	Program Year/Program: 2003 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number: 024102	Solicitation Year: N/A	Solicitation Topic Code: N/A	Solicitation Number: N/A

Small Business Information: Pioneer Astronautics
11111 West 8th Avenue, Unit A Lakewood, CO 80215-5516
View profile »

Woman-Owned: No

Minority-Owned: No

HUBZone-Owned: No

Phase 1: Fiscal Year: 2003

Title: Lift Gas Cracker

Agency: NASA

Contract: NAS5-03042

Award Amount: $69,995.00

Abstract:
The Lift Gas Cracker (LGC) is new method for producing lift gas for balloons for both terrestrial and extra-terrestrial applications, eliminating the need for heavy, bulky gas bottles. The LGC produces a lift gas from the cracking of methanol, an easily obtained, easily stored liquid, to make either the hydrogen/carbon monoxide cracking product or a hydrogen-enriched product by using membrane separation. Combustion of about 10% of the methanol provides sufficient energy to crack the remainder. The LGC product gas can be converted back into methanol, allowing a balloon to maintain altitude during the daytime without having to vent lift gas. The methanol can then be converted back into lift gas at night to maintain altitude without dropping ballast. Thus, long duration balloon flights could be extended a factor of 20 or more compared to conventional means.

Principal Investigator:
Robert Zubrin
Principal Investigator
3039800890
zubrin@aol.com

Business Contact:
Robert Zubrin
Buisness Official
3039800890
zubrin@aol.com

Small Business Information at Submission:

Pioneer Astronautics
11111 W. 8th Ave., Unit A Lakewood, CO 80215

EIN/Tax ID: 841322304

DUNS: N/A

Number of Employees:

Woman-Owned: No

Minority-Owned: No

HUBZone-Owned: No