SBIR-STTR Award

Mixed Base Hydrogen Peroxide (MHP) has been utilized and well documented in its application to Chemical Oxygen-Iodine Laser (COIL) and Airborne Laser (ABL) systems. There is, however, a need to vary recipes of a variety of hydroxides with H2O2 and mix these in a system that is portable. Design of a small scale, air transportable unit, capable of mixing/blending a variety of (MHP) recipes will be completed in Phase I. This unit will be unique in its design in that the components, including instrumentation and controls, are sized/located in a novel manner to assure air transportability with simple and quick assembly/disassembly. VEI has significant experience (35 years) in development of chemical processes, and incorporating these process designs with equipment selection to assure conformance to predetermined size constraints. VEI has outlined a comprehensive Phase I plan for development of process and design of process system equipment to achieve air transportability. This system has the capability to easily be increased in size from 3000 kg per three (3) hours (Phase I parameters) to well over twenty (20) times this volume, which would apply to commercial production and applications.

The utilization of Mixed Base Hydrogen Peroxide is well documented in its application for the COIL and ABL Systems. During Phase I, VITOK determined a variety of recipes that could be utilized with the mixing of caustics and H2O2 while developing them in a system that is portable, air-transportable, supportable with a small logistics footprint. Initial essential design of the general skid arrangements, P&IDs and other technical information will be further developed in Phase II. Information developed in Phase I indicated that components can be fabricated for air-transportability and ease of assembly at distant locations. VITOK Engineers has significant experience (36 years) in the development of chemical processes and incorporating these process designs with appropriate equipment selection to assure performance within the size constraints. VITOK has outlined a comprehensive Phase II plan for further development of the process, and, complete design of the process system equipment to achieve the stated objectives. The fully capable system will be demonstrated in Louisville, Kentucky or Tyndall AFB. Additionally, the system will be developed in accordance with MDA02-046 Guidelines of 3,000 kilogram production per three (3) hours and, VITOK believes that the system could be somewhat larger and still meet the stated objectives.