Standard oxygen-hydrogen torch generates steam for corrosion-rate analysis of various metals. The steam is generated through local combustion inside a test chamber under constant temperature and pressure control

Maskell, C. E.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

March 1966	 Brief 66-10120 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U. S. space 
program and to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Oxygen-Hydrogen Torch is a Small-Scale Steam Generator 
The problem: 
Corrosion-rate analysis of various metals frequently 
requires the use of steam at high temperatures and 
pressures. Water-boiling steam generators are cumber-
some, expensive, pose safety problems, and permit 
little or no flexibility in oxygen or hydrogen content 
control. 
The solution: 
A standard oxygen—hydrogen torch that generates 
steam through local combustion inside a test chamber 
under constant temperature and pressure control.
How it's done: 
The torch nozzle is sealed into one end of the test 
chamber. Oxygen and hydrogen are metered to the 
torch in the desired ratio and ignited by a conven-
tional spark source. Discharge from the test chamber 
is regulated by a bleed valve to maintain desired cham-
ber pressure. Test chamber walls are hollow for heat-
ing or cooling through a wide temperature range. The 
sample under test is held in a simple mount at the 
bottom of the chamber directly in the path of the noz-
zle discharge.
(continued overleal) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of. the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19660000119 2020-03-11T17:34:49+00:00Z
Notes: 
1. Chamber pressure can be as high as 2,000 psig 
with torch gas flow rates of 0.1 to 1.0 standard cfm. 
2. This system has been used successfully in corro-
sion-rate measurements of stainless steel at 500'F 
with various oxygen-to-hydrogen ratios. 
3. Although the system was used for corrosion-attack 
studies, it is apparent that single or coupled 
torches can be employed to generate limited quan-
tities of steam in a variety of applications. 
4. Particular carelmust be exercised to prevent ex-
plosions in thin-wall chamber configurations, or 
where personnel or other hazards may exist. De-
signs should assure (a) pre-ignition purging, (b) 
optical viewing of the nozzle area, (c) the existence 
of a continuous ignition' spark at' the nozzle prior 
to the start of gas flow.
Inquiries concerning this innovation may be di-
rected to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
AEC-NASA Space Nuclear Propulsion 
Office 
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission 
Washington, D.C., 20545 
Reference: B66-10120 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: C. E. Maskell 
of Aerojet-General Corporation 
undei contract to 
Space Nuclear Propulsion Office 
(NU-0042)
S 
O 
Is 
Brief 66-10120	 Category 03


Oxygen-hydrogen torch is a small-scale steam generator

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