Plasma-Based Oxygen Generator for Undersea Vehicle Fuel Cells

We propose to develop and test an oxygen generator for undersea vehicle fuel. The proposed oxygen generator is based on the decomposition of lithium perchlorate or sodium chlorate in an RF barrier plasma torch discharge. The parameters of this dischargeare evaluated and found to be the most suitable of all the atmospheric pressure discharges for the current application. The gas temperature in such a discharge corresponds to the optimal temperature of 300-500¿C required for the decomposition. RF barriertorch discharge can operate at an atmospheric pressure in the presence of oxygen. The proposed decomposer will provide fuel cells with the required oxygen flow rate efficiently and with low power consumption. The oxygen generator based on RF barrier torchdischarge also complies with the requirements of fast start up and shut down, and decomposition controllability. The oxygen generator will not require any additional gas supply. The solid waste of the decomposition reaction (NaCl and LiCl) will be removedfrom the reactor by flowing water. Rapid start-up and shutdown of the decomposer and controlled decomposition enable the fuel cell to operate with high efficiency. RF barrier torch based decomposer can be designed as a multi-channel system to provideoxygen for the required power range of the fuel cell stack from 50 to 5000 W. Development of the plasma based oxygen generator will solve the problem of an efficient power source for an autonomic undersea vehicle.