Device for thermal generation of carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide
OwnerJohn A. Bognarinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided are devices for generating a desired gas or mixture of gases by thermally decomposing a gas-generating composition (e.g. an oxalate salt) using the thermal energy generated by reaction of a heat-generating composition (e.g. a thermite mixture), and methods of making and using such devices. The devices of some embodiments include phase-changing separators, i.e. separators that at least partially melt, vaporize, or sublimate as a result of the thermal energy generated by the heat-generating composition.
Claims42
A device, comprising:
- at least one separator;
- a pyrotechnic composition, proximate to a first surface of the at least one separator;
- and
- at least one gas generating composition comprising an oxalate salt, proximate to a second surface of the at least one separator, wherein the at least one separator is positioned between the pyrotechnic and gas generating compositions.
A process, comprising:
- initiating reaction of a pyrotechnic composition consisting essentially of a metal oxide and a metal to release thermal energy;
- transferring, via a thermally conductive separator, thermal energy released by the reaction to a gas-generating composition comprising one or more oxalate salts;
- and
- decomposing, using the thermal energy released by the reaction, at least some of the one or more oxalate salts to release carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, or a combination thereof.
An inflatable device, comprising:
- an inflatable article;
- and
- a self-contained gas generator:
- a) interconnected to the inflatable article;
- b) configured to inflate the inflatable article;
- and
- c) having at least one thermal separator positioned between and in thermal contact with:
- i) a thermite composition comprising a metal oxide and a metal;
- and
- ii) at least one gas generating composition comprising an oxalate salt.
A gas generator device, comprising:
- a heat-generating composition;
- a gas generating composition comprising an oxalate salt;
- and
- at least one separator,
- wherein the heat-generating composition is proximate to a first surface of the at least one separator and the gas-generating composition is proximate to a second surface of the at least one separator.
A method for generating at least one product gas, comprising:
- initiating reaction of a heat-generating composition to release thermal energy;
- transferring, via a thermally conductive separator, thermal energy released by the reaction to a gas-generating composition comprising one or more oxalate salts;
- and
- decomposing, with the transferred thermal energy, at least some of the one or more oxalate salts to release the at least one product gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.