Inhibitor Formulation and Automated Feed System for Catapult Water Brake

Corrosion caused by salt accumulation in aircraft carrier catapult water brake systems reduces readiness, increase maintenance costs and lead to shorten catapult operational life. Luna proposes to develop an environmentally friendly inhibitor package for use in the water brake tank. The inhibitor will be formulated to resist foaming (antifoaming agent) and protect alloy component of the catapult and water brake system. A chemical feed system for automated control of the inhibitor addition and sensors for monitoring corrosivity of the water will be developed. Luna will optimize inhibitor system formulation for corrosion control and minimal foaming using laboratory tests that accurately replicate the water brake system conditions (flow regimes, contaminants, temperatures, pH etc). Key features of Luna’s proposed component health and usage tracking system are: 1) low cost, environmentally safe chemistry, 2) continuous monitoring of water chemistry and corrosivity, 3) automated feed system for autonomous operation, protection against general corrosion, crevice corrosion and stress corrosion cracking. Overall project goals are to develop a complete turn-key system that includes inhibitor package, corrosivity monitoring, and automated chemical feed system for use on aircraft carrier water brake tanks