Post launch inert gas production and utilization system and method

Abstract

A gas production and utilization system includes an ionic liquid having an electrochemical window and engineered to produce a specific gas. A power supply is configured to apply a voltage potential across electrodes disposed in the ionic liquid at a level higher than the electrochemical window of the ionic liquid to decompose the ionic liquid. The resultant gas is delivered to a pressure vessel and may be utilized in a variety of different ways.

1 . A post-launch inert gas production method comprising:
 choosing an ionic liquid engineered to produce a given inert gas;   decomposing the ionic liquid by electrolysis to produce the inert gas at a given pressure; and   utilizing said pressurized inert gas.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  in which the ionic liquid is engineered to produce CO 2 . 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  in which the ionic liquid has an electrochemical window and electrolysis includes applying a voltage potential across the ionic liquid at a voltage above the electrochemical window of the ionic liquid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  in which the ionic liquid resides in a housing with at least first and second electrodes therein connected to a power supply. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  in which the power supply is configured to provide AC power to said electrodes. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  in which AC power is provided to said electrodes at a voltage of 6-16 volts. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4  in which the interior of the housing includes an electrically insulative material. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4  in which there are a plurality of electrodes in an array. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4  in which the housing is coupled to an outlet conduit. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further including a filter allowing the inert gas produced to exit the housing via the outlet while retaining the ionic liquid in the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  in which the filter includes a porous frit material. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  in which utilizing the pressurized gas includes delivering the pressured gas to a pressure vessel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  in which the pressure vessel includes a propellant therein delivered to a thruster. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  in which utilization of the pressurized gas includes delivering the pressurized gas to a cold-gas thruster. 
     
     
         15 . A post-launch inert gas production method comprising:
 decomposing an ionic liquid by electrolysis to produce a pressurized inert gas by applying a voltage potential to the ionic liquid at a voltage above the electrochemical window of the ionic liquid; and   utilizing said pressurized inert gas by delivering the pressurized inert gas to a pressure vessel.   
     
     
         16 . A gas production and utilization system comprising:
 a housing including spaced electrodes therein;   an ionic liquid in the housing;   a power supply configured to apply a voltage potential across said electrodes at a level sufficient to decompose the ionic liquid and produce a pressurized gas; and   a pressure vessel for storing said pressurized gas.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  in which the ionic liquid is engineered to produce CO 2 . 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16  in which the ionic liquid has an electrochemical window and the power supply is configured to apply a voltage potential across said electrodes at a voltage above the electrochemical window of the ionic liquid. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16  in which the power supply is configured to provide AC power to said electrodes. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  in which the power supply is configured to provide AC power at a voltage of 6-16 volts to said electrodes. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 16  in which the interior of the housing includes an electrically insulative material. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 16  in which there are a plurality of electrodes in an array disposed within the housing. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 16  in which the housing includes an exit filter allowing the inert gas produced to exit the housing while retaining the ionic liquid in the housing. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23  in which the filter includes a porous frit material. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 16  in which the pressure vessel includes a propellant therein pressurized by the pressurized gas. 
     
     
         26 . A gas production and utilization system comprising:
 a housing including spaced electrodes therein;   an ionic liquid in the housing having an electrochemical window and engineered to produce a specific gas;   a power supply configured to apply a voltage potential across said electrodes at a level higher than the electrochemical window of the ionic liquid to decompose the ionic liquid and produce said specific gas under pressure; and   a pressure vessel for said pressurized gas.