Compound Aerostat of Controllable Altitude

The present invention generally relates to a lifting system in a limp aerostat. The lifting system is particularly suitable for the troposphere. It has a primary and secondary enclosure within a single envelope with each enclosure containing gas compositions that operate independently of each other for controlling lift.

A previous system of maintaining a limp aerostat within the troposphere relies on the release of ballast by night and lifting gas by day. The altitude varies over a wide range. The flight endurance of this system is limited by the need to dump about 15 percent of the gas and ballast during each 24 hour period. An alternate method is to use a taut aerostat which seeks out an altitude where the atmospheric density equals that of the aerostat. This requires strong fabric. Moreover, a small pin hole leak will result in considerable loss of lift over a period of days and will result in flight termination. Ice accumulation can sink the aerostat even more rapidly.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mass-conservative, limp, not taut, constant altitude aerostat system free of the above deficiencies. The system comprises two limp compartments designated the primary and secondary enclosures. These enclosures are within a single envelope.

The primary enclosure provides the primary source of lift and contains helium and methanol. The methanol condenses as the altitude increases. The secondary enclosure contains a condensible lifting gas, anhydrous ammonia. The secondary enclosure is connected to an absorbent to controllably absorb the ammonia and thereby control the displacement of the envelope by controlling the displacement of the secondary enclosure. The absorption is reversible by means of heating the ammonia to cause it to expand and return to the secondary enclosure.

FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of the controllable altitude aerostat of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an analog of the operation of the aerostat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a graph of the lift of the mixture of helium and methanol for various altitudes; and

FIG. 4 is a graph of pressure and altitude vs. temperature for atmosphere, saturated ammonia and ammonia over saturated lithium solution.

Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown a controllable altitude aerostat 10. An envelope 12 is comprised of a primary enclosure 14 and a secondary enclosure 16. Both enclosures 16 and 14 form portions of the walls of envelope 12. Having both enclosures 14 and 16 within envelope 12 reduces aerodynamic drag and handling problems during buffeting winds. The primary enclosure 14, as the name implies, is the primary source of lift for the aerostat 10, and contains a mixture of about 90 percent helim and 10 percent methanol, CH.sub.3 OH. The helium is selected to provide lift. The small amount of methanol, which is chosen because of its appropriate boiling point of 64.7.degree. C. and low formula weight of 32.04 is just totally evaporated at sea level in the standard U.S. atmosphere. Its partial pressure in the mixture equals its saturation pressure at all times. As the altitude in the troposphere increases, the methanol gradually condenses out of the system onto the surface of the primary enclosure 14 causing the volume of air displaced by the envelope 12 to decrease; hence, a decrease in lift. Conversely, an altitude decrease causes the film or drops of methanol on the enclosure to re-evaporate and increase the lift. Note from FIG. 2, however, that above an altitude of 9 kilometers the methanol is destabilizing.

Referring again to FIG. 1 the secondary enclosure 16 which forms a part of envelope 12 contains a condensible lifting gas, anhydrous ammonia, NH.sub.3.

The envelope 16 is connected to an envelope 18 containing lithium via a line 20 with a valve 22. The envelope 18 has an agitator 24 to enhance operation. A propane burner 26 and insulation 28 are provided to dissociate the ammonia from the material. The insulation 28 should be easily removable so as to be used only during dissociation. The mass 30 includes passengers, equipment, food, etc. and is connected by lines 32.

FIG. 2 is an analog of the present invention in which the height of the mass 30 is controlled by a spring 14a which represents the primary enclosure 14. The adjustable screw 16a represents the secondary enclosure 16 as controlled by the lithium 18, line 20, valve 22, agitator 24, propane burner 26 and insulation 28.

In operating during the day the aerostat 10 is raised to a predetermined altitude mainly by the primary lifting mixture of helium and methanol. The methanol condensing determines the stable altitude. During nightfall as the atmosphere cools additional condensation of the methanol and cooling of the gases lowers the altitude of the aerostat 10. At this time the ammonia absorbed within the third enclosure 18 is heated by propane burner 26. This dissociates the ammonia from the metallic lithium and vaporizes the ammonia so that upon the opening of valve 22 the ammonia passes through line 20 into enclosure 16. This action raises the height of the aerostat thereby taking the place of dropping sand ballast. When the altitude of the aerostat rises excessively and beyond the ability of the methanol to further condense due to solar heat, loss of ice or adhered precipitation the ammonia is admitted to the absorbent. There, the ammonia is absorbed with the release of heat to the atmosphere. This decreases the displacement, hence the lift, and the aerostat descends.

Methanol, CH.sub.3 OH included within enclosure 14 has a saturation pressure as a function of temperature, given by the Antoine Equation as quoted by Boublik, Fried and Hala

where the constants

A=9.2250

B=2239.

C=288.5

are computed by fitting the Antoine Equation to the data in Perry

The lift of this primary system is computed for one Kg/mol of mixture in which the methanol is all vapor at a partial pressure equal to its saturation pressure at sea level with the balance made up of helium.

Defining

R=gas constant for air=287.02 N-m/.degree.K.-Kg air

g=accel of gravity=9.807 m/sec.sup.2

.gamma.=Lapse rate of troposphere=6.5.degree. C. Km.sup.-1

L=lift

X=mol fraction of methanol in gas mixture

X.sub.o =mol fraction of methanol at sea level

Z=mols of CH.sub.3 OH gas at altitude

M=molecular weight subscripts

we may observe that the number of mols of helium at any altitude is (1=X.sub.o)

and X=P.sub.sat /P.sub.atm where p.sub.atm =P.sub.o (T/T.sub.o) .sup.g/R.gamma. according to Hess

and X=Z/(1-X.sub.o +Z)

so that

the lift is then

This standard atmosphere is plotted in FIG. 4 along with the January and July atmospheres for 45.degree. N. For the U.S. Standard Atmosphere the lift L is computed for various altitudes and plotted in FIG. 3 using the above equations which are summarized below for convenience.

The ammonia, located within secondary enclosure 16, has a vapor pressure as a function of temperature given by Antoine's Equation, as given by Boublik, Fried and Hala

where

A=7.4404

B=954.19

C=242.63

These constants are computed by fitting the equation to the following data

The formula weight of ammonia is 17.03; its boiling point at 760 mm is -33.35.degree. C.

Saturated ammonia pressures for various altitude of the U.S. Standard Atmosphere are plotted in FIG. 4. Ammonia is toxic but gives ample olefactory warning of its presence. Its flammability limits with air are from 16 to 26 percent NH.sub.3. It is difficult to ignite.

Ammonia is chosen because of its low molecular weight and its stability to be absorbed in large amounts by a variety of materials including water, calcium chloride, lithium chloride, lithium nitrate and pure lithium. Ammonia is a vapor under almost all conditions in the earth's atmosphere; the absorbents listed below when saturated and in temperature equilibrium with the atmosphere have vapor pressures less than ambient atmospheric pressure under virtually all natural conditions. The solution or combination of ammonia with these material is accompanied by a release of heat; conversely, the application of heat will dissociate the ammonia from the material. Thus, the operation is easily reversible with simple apparatus and changes in displacement, hence lift, easily accomplished. Below are listed the material in order of their ability to absorb NH.sub.3 :

Lithium is by far the best, absorbing about nine grams of ammonia per gram of lithium with a sub-atmospheric vapor pressure in virtually all atmospheres. The solution formed is not a compound. The important data for lithium-ammonia solutions is given below:

Conversion factor: p, .sup.N/m.spsp.2 =1333.2 p cmHg

If we fit the equation

log.sub.10 P cmHg=A-(B/T) to the two data points at 0 and 21.3.degree., we get: ##EQU2## From the simplified Clausius-Clapeyron Equation (which neglects the volume of the liquid solution and assumes NH.sub.3 a perfect gas) ##EQU3## we may compute in the vicinity of 0.degree. C.

so that ##EQU4## since 1 Kcal=4190. j=N-m H=511.2 Kcal/Kg NH.sub.3. This is in agreement with Krauss.

The quantity of propane (heat of combustion of one g mol=530.7 Kcal; MW.sub.C.sbsb.3 H.sub.8 =44.11; B.P.=-42.07.degree. C.) required to drive 1 Kg of NH.sub.3 from a lithium solution is ##EQU5## F=0.0425 g C.sub.3 H.sub.8 /g NH.sub.3 gas

For one mol of primary mixture consisting of helium and methanol, we need sufficient lift variation to accommodate the extra lift of solar superheat at one extreme and the extra weight of ice and snow at the other extreme.

Let us define:

y=total number of mols of NH.sub.3

B=mass of Li required to absorb unit mass of NH.sub.3 =0.1132 (forms Li/NH.sub.3 solution at 0.degree. C.)

S=superheat, .degree.C. above T

T=atmospheric temperature, .degree.K.

M.sub.A =M. W. air=28.97

M.sub.M =M. W. mix=6.5985

M.sub.C =MW NH.sub.3 =17.03

W=mass of ice

P=payload

X.sub.o =mols of methanol at sea level (all vapor)=0.092666) observe that at altitude h we have 1-X.sub.o mols of helium and X mols of methanol gas. With solar superheat and no ice and no ammonia gas the equation for lift equilibrium is

With no solar superheat and with ice or snow present and all ammonia as gas, the equation for lift equilibrium becomes

subtraction and transposition yields ##EQU6## for h=2 Km T=275.154.degree. K. and if S/T=0.08, S=22.01.degree. C. if W/M.sub.A =0.12, then W=3.4764 and y=0.2 at h=2 Km X=0.055237 and P=19.73 Kg/Kg mol of primary mixture For a flight of n days, the total fuel requirement is S=n Fy M.sub.c =0.145 n For n=10 days, S=1.45

An aerostat has been described which promises long endurance flight in both the troposphere and stratosphere under adverse conditions of solar superheating and ice and snow accumulation. It may be applied to meteorological survey, ocean surveillance, stratospheric communication relays, and sporting activity. Manned transatlantic and circumpolar flights in the troposphere appear probable with this system. The system and concepts described herein may permit exploration of the atmospheres of other planets.

It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangement of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.