A Compact CO Oxidation System

Navy aircraft are equipped with an On-Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS) to supply the pilot and the crew with supplemental oxygen for high altitude operation. However, Navy aircraft are usually closely spaced while waiting for take-off from aircraft carriers, and the jet engine exhaust contaminates the bleed air used to supply oxygen to the pilot and crew. Among the contaminants in the engine exhaust carbon monoxide (CO) is particularly troublesome, and can be present in the OBOGS oxygen supply at concentrations as high as 120 ppmv. TDA Research Inc. (TDA) proposes to develop a compact CO oxidation system to be integrated with the OBOGS to eliminate any CO contamination in the OBOGS output. In Phase II, TDA will synthesize and scale-up a highly active catalyst for ambient temperature CO oxidation. We will demonstrate its durability and long-term activity, testing for a minimum of 4,000 hrs. Based on the gas analysis data provided for the OBOGS product, we will evaluate the performance of our catalyst in the presence of potential contaminants (such as SOx and NOx). We will carry out all necessary tests to qualify the new material as flight-hardware. The successful completion of Phase II project will provide the NAVAIR with a highly effective, durable flight-qualified catalyst that can be produced in large quantities.