Apparatus and method for gelling liquefied gasses
AssigneeCFD Research Corporation
InventorsAdam Elliott, Roberto DiSalvo, Phillip Shepherd, Ryan Kosier
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is a method and apparatus for gelling liquid propane and other liquefied gasses. The apparatus includes a temperature controlled churn mixer, vacuum pump, liquefied gas transfer tank, and means for measuring amount of material entering the mixer. The method uses gelling agents such as silicon dioxide, clay, carbon, or organic or inorganic polymers, as well as dopants such as titanium, aluminum, and boron powders. The apparatus and method are particularly useful for the production of high quality rocket fuels and propellants.
Claims13
An apparatus for gelling a liquefied gas comprising a churn mixer comprising:
- a) a cylindrical mixing vessel open at one end, sealed at the other end, and comprising a means of circulating heat exchange fluid in the walls of the vessel,
- b) a closure lid that fits inside the open end of the mixing vessel, said closure lid comprising o-rings configured to seal the mixing vessel upon compression of said o-rings, an opening, and means for circulating a heat exchange fluid within the closure lid,
- c) a rod passing through the opening in the closure lid, said rod attached to a perforated plate located inside the mixing vessel and mechanically coupled to a means for moving the perforated plate back and forth between the ends of the mixing vessel, said perforated plate being oriented parallel to the ends of the cylindrical mixing vessel,
- d) a first valved port in the mixing vessel or closure lid configured to deliver liquefied gas into and optionally configured to remove gelled liquefied gas from the mixing vessel,
- e) a second valved port in the mixing vessel or closure lid configured to evacuate the mixing vessel and connected to a means for producing a vacuum, and
- f) a supply of heat exchange fluid in fluid communication with said means of circulating heat exchange fluid in the walls of the vessel and said means for circulating a heat exchange fluid within the closure lid, said supply of chilled heat exchange fluid configured to maintain said heat exchange fluid at a temperature of 0° C. or lower,
- wherein exterior surfaces of the mixing vessel are covered with a thermally insulating material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.