Low cost, ambient temperature catalyst for reacting hydrogen gas with air in a catalytic cell near the point of evolution at a controlled rate is announced

Roberts, R. W.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

November 1968	 Brief 68-10520 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U.S. space program, 
to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public at 15 cents each 
from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
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Ambient Temperature Catalyst for Hydrogen Ignition 
The problem: 
Numerous situations exist where the generation of 
gaseous hydrogen presents a fire or explosion hazard. 
Among these are the various electrochemical processes 
which release hydrogen at the cathode, such as in elec-
troplating, chemical machining, electric discharge ma-
chining, battery charging, etc. Also in the organic pro-
cessing field, hydrogen is.produced and liberated dur-
ing fermentation and in some distillation processes. 
Such hazardous situations could be alleviated by caus-
ing the hydrogen to burn immediately as it enters the 
atmosphere. 
The solution: 
An ambient temperature, low-cost, catalyst for reac-
ting hydrogen gas with air in a catalytic cell near the 
point of evolution at a controlled rate. 
How it's done: 
This innovation represents a "new use" for a catalyst 
developed for the petroleum industry. A survey of 
commercially available metal oxide catalysts, sup-
ported by empirical evaluations of the most promis-
ing, lead to the selection of a catalyst consisting of 
ferric oxide (Fe 203) impregnated in small silicon car-
bide cylinders 3/16-inch in diameter by 3/16-inch 
long. 
This catalyst in pellet form is loosely packed (ran-
dom orientation) between screen barriers in a duct. As 
the mixed gases, hydrogen and oxygen, pass through 
the catalyst bed, the iron oxide promotes reaction in 
the combustible gas mixture, increasing the tempera-
ture to the normal ignition point where the reaction 
becomes self-sustaining. The catalyst provides a sur- 
face area of 0.3 in 2 /gm. A bed one inch in diameter 
and five inches long was found to be satisfactory with 
gas flows of less than 4 lb/sec.The catalyst was found 
to perform reliably in the ambient range for oxygen/
hydrogen mixture ratios from 0.5 to 170:1 in actual 
application. Laboratory tests at mixture ratios from 
0.33 to 48:1 gave approximately 60 percent of theoret-
ical activity. Dilution for these tests was with nitrogen, 
closely simulating air/hydrogen mixtures in some 
cases. 
Notes: 
1. As an accessory for vent stacks for hydrogen stor-
age tanks, piping systems, and transport vehicles, 
the catalytic cell can assure reaction before a 
hazardous concentration can accumulate. 
2. A catalytic cell would be a very useful standard 
accessory for laboratory fume hoods where hydro-
gen accumulation can frequently reach hazardous 
conditions. 
3. Documentation for the innovation is available 
from:
Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific 
and Technical Information 
Springfield, Virginia 22151 
Price $3.00 
Reference: B68-10520 
Questions concerning this innovation may also 
be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Lewis Research Center 
21000 Brookpark Road 
Cleveland, Ohio 44135 
Reference: B68-10520 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: Robert W. Roberts 
of North American Rockwell Corporation 
under contract to 
Lewis Research Center 
(LEW-10551) 
Category 03 
.
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/ 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National
	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States
	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19680000476 2020-03-12T06:02:50+00:00Z


Ambient temperature catalyst for hydrogen ignition

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