Patent Publication Number: US-2023159149-A1

Title: Lifting gas generation

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 63/256,624, filed Oct. 17, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     GOVERNMENT LICENSE RIGHTS 
     This invention was made with government support under FA8702-15-D-0001 awarded by the United States Air Force. The government has certain rights in the invention. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Balloons can be filled with a lifting gas to allow the balloon to float in any one or more of various different media. As an example, balloons in the form of weather balloons are commonly used for meteorological observation. Such weather balloons provide localized weather conditions that may not be accurately measurable using ground-based measurements or satellite images. 
     The types of applications in which balloons are useful are, however, constrained by the resources and quality of lifting gases required to impart buoyancy to balloons. That is, the time and equipment required for inflation can make balloons unsuitable for many implementations in the field, away from established infrastructure. Further, the performance of balloons can be significantly impacted by composition of the lifting gas itself, including the presence of contaminants that can damage the balloon. For example, changes in lifting gas composition sourced in the field can result in suboptimal—or at least unpredictable—flight of the balloon. 
     Accordingly, there remains a need for making balloon inflation and flight more robust across a variety of field conditions, while using equipment and resources amenable to transport and rapid deployment. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect, a reactor for generating lifting gas may include a first port, a second port, a coupling releasably securable in fluid communication with an aerostat, and a tank including a base and a crown defining at least a portion of a chamber therebetween, the first port and the coupling each supported on the crown, the second port supported on the tank away from the crown, the chamber in fluid communication with each one of the first port, the second port, and the coupling, the chamber expandable between the crown and the base from an uninflated state to an inflated state and, with the tank in the inflated state, a maximum height of the chamber less than a maximum dimension of the base. 
     In certain implementations, the maximum dimension of the base may be a diagonal dimension and, in the inflated state, the maximum height of the chamber is less than about one-third of the maximum dimension of the base. 
     In some implementations, in the inflated state, the base may be rectangular, and a ratio of long to short sides is less than about 6:1. 
     In certain implementations, at least a portion of the tank may be flexible to unfold from a folded configuration as the chamber expands from the uninflated state to the inflated state. 
     In some implementations, the first port and the coupling may each define respective longitudinal axes intersecting the base, and the respective longitudinal axes of the first port and the coupling are non-intersecting within the chamber in the inflated state. 
     In some implementations, the coupling may include a body, a rim, and a yoke, the body has a first end portion and a second end portion and defines a passage therebetween, the passage is in fluid communication with the chamber, the rim is supported on the first end portion of the body, and the yoke is releasably supported on the second end portion of the body to decouple the aerostat from the tank. Additionally, or alternatively, the reactor may include a first plate and a second plate, wherein the rim of the coupling is supported on the tank with material of the tank disposed between the first plate and the second plate, the first plate is disposed in the chamber, the second plate is along an outer surface of the crown, and the rim of the coupling is releasably secured to the second plate, and the first plate and the second plate are attached to each other. Further, or instead, the reactor may include two or more locks supported on the second plate, wherein each of the two or more locks includes a respective cam, the rim includes a ridge circumscribing the passage, the respective cam of each of the two or more locks is rotatable into releasable engagement with the ridge of the rim with the passage of the coupling in fluid communication with the chamber of the tank. As an example, with the two or more locks releasably engaged with the ridge of the rim, the two or more locks may be circumferentially spaced apart from one another about a circumference of the ridge of the rim. Additionally, or alternatively, the reactor may include an O-ring, wherein the rim defines a groove along a surface of the rim facing the second plate, the O-ring is disposed in the groove with the surface of the rim facing the second plate. 
     In certain implementations, the reactor may additionally, or alternatively, include a valve supported in the first port, wherein the valve is biased in a closed position, and the valve is openable to introduce one or more reactants into the chamber from an environment outside of the chamber. 
     In some implementations, the reactor may additionally, or alternatively, include a support extending from the coupling into the chamber wherein, with the chamber in the uninflated state, the support spaces at least a portion of the crown from the base. As an example, at least a portion of the support extending into the chamber may define a plurality of orifices. Further, or instead, the support may include a cap section, and the cap section having a rounded surface positionable in contact with the base within the chamber. 
     In certain implementations, the reactor may further, or instead, include a divider disposed in the chamber and separating the chamber into a first section and a second section, wherein the divider defines at least one aperture through which the first section and the second section of the chamber are in fluid communication with one another. As an example, the first port may be in fluid communication with the coupling via the plurality of apertures of the divider. In some instances, the divider may include at least one flap, each flap is disposed in a corresponding aperture and movable in response to pressure of reaction products moving in a direction from the first section toward the second section of the chamber. Additionally, or alternatively, the divider may extend from the base to the crown in the chamber, and the divider is flexible as the chamber expands from the uninflated state to the inflated state. Further, or instead, with the chamber in the inflated state, the divider may span the maximum dimension of the base. 
     In some implementations, the reactor may additionally, or alternatively, include one or more handles supported on an outer surface of the tank. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG.  1 A  is a schematic representation of a system for launching an aerostat, the system including a reactor and the aerostat, with the reactor shown in an uninflated state. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a schematic representation of the system of  FIG.  1 A , with the reactor shown in the uninflated state and shown along a cross-section taken along section  1 B- 1 B in  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  1 C  a schematic representation of a side, cross-sectional view the system of  FIG.  1 A , with the reactor shown in an inflated state and the cross-section taken along section  1 B- 1 B in  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  1 D  is a perspective view of a support structure of the reactor of the system of  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  1 E  is a side view of the support structure of  FIG.  1 D . 
         FIG.  1 F  is a side view of a portion of the system of  FIG.  1 A , shown with the tank and the support structure of the reactor removed. 
         FIG.  1 G  is a side view of the portion of the system shown in  FIG.  1 F , with the portion of the system shown rotated relative to the side view shown in  FIG.  1 F . 
         FIG.  1 H  is a side, cross-sectional view of the portion of the system shown in  FIG.  1 F , with the cross-section taken along section  1 H- 1 H in  FIG.  1 F . 
         FIG.  1 I  is a side, cross-sectional view of the portion of the system shown in  FIG.  1 G , with the cross-section taken along section  1 I- 1 I in  FIG.  1 G . 
         FIG.  1 J  is a side, cross-sectional view of the portion of the system shown in  FIG.  1 I , shown along the area of detail  1 J in  FIG.  1 I . 
         FIG.  1 K  is a side, cross-sectional view of the portion of the system shown in  FIG.  1 J , shown along the area of detail  1 K in  FIG.  1 J . 
         FIG.  1 L  is a perspective view of a lock of the system of  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  1 M  is a side view of the lock of  FIG.  1 L . 
         FIG.  1 N  is a front view of the lock of  FIG.  1 N . 
         FIG.  1 O  is a perspective view of the coupling of  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  1 P  is a side view of the coupling of  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  1 Q  is a side cross-sectional view of the coupling of  FIG.  1 A , with the cross-section taken along section  1 Q- 1 Q in  FIG.  1 P . 
         FIG.  1 R  is a side, cross-sectional view of the coupling along the area of detail  1 R in  FIG.  1 Q . 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic representation of a system for launching an aerostat, the system including a first reactor, a second reactor, and an aerostat. 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic representation of a system for launching an aerostat, the system including a reactor and the aerostat, the reactor including a divider spanning a maximum dimension of a base of a tank of the reactor with a chamber of the reactor in an inflated state. 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic representation of a system for launching an aerostat, the system including a reactor and the aerostat, the reactor including a divider extending from a base to a crown of a tank of the reactor. 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. The foregoing may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. 
     All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. References to items in the singular should be understood to include items in the plural, and vice versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise or clear from the text. Grammatical conjunctions are intended to express any and all disjunctive and conjunctive combinations of conjoined clauses, sentences, words, and the like, unless otherwise stated or clear from the context. Thus, the term “or” should generally be understood to mean “and/or,” and the term “and” should generally be understood to mean “and/or.” 
     Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. The words “about,” “approximately,” or the like, when accompanying a numerical value, are to be construed as including any deviation as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art to operate satisfactorily for an intended purpose. Ranges of values and/or numeric values are provided herein as examples only, and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of the described embodiments. The use of any and all examples or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of those embodiments. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments. 
     As used herein, the term “gas” or variants thereof (e.g., lifting gas) shall be understood to include a single component or multiple components (mixed), unless otherwise specified or made clear from the context. Further, unless a contrary intent is indicated, the use of the term gas shall be generally understood to include any multi-phase mixture that includes one or more gas phase components and exhibits characteristics of a compressible fluid, with a relationship between pressure, volume, and temperature that is accurately characterized by the ideal gas law to within about ±5 percent at room temperature at sea level. Thus, for example, a gas may include at least one gas phase component, as well as some amount of one or more vapor components (e.g., water vapor). 
     For the sake of clear and efficient description, elements with numbers having the same last two digits in the disclosure that follows shall be understood to be analogous to or interchangeable with one another, unless otherwise explicitly made clear from the context, and, therefore, are not described separately from one another, except to note differences or to emphasize certain features. Thus, for example, a reactor  102 , a first reactor  202   a , a second reactor  202   b , a reactor  302 , and a reactor  402  shall be understood to be analogous to or interchangeable with one another, unless otherwise specified or made clear from the context. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C , a system  100  for launching a lighter-than-air aircraft may include a reactor  102  and an aerostat  104 . The reactor  102  may include a first port  106 , a second port  108 , a coupling  110 , and a tank  112 . The coupling  110  of the reactor  102  may be releasably securable in fluid communication with the aerostat  104 . The tank  112  may include a base  114  and a crown  116  defining at least a portion of a chamber  118  therebetween. The first port  106  and the coupling  110  may be supported on the crown  116  of the tank  112  and, additionally, or alternatively, the second port  108  may be supported on the tank  112  away from the crown  116 . The chamber  118  of the tank  112  may be in fluid communication with each one of the first port  106 , the second port  108 , and the coupling  110 . Additionally, or alternatively, the chamber  118  may be expandable between the crown  116  and the base  114  from an uninflated state to an inflated state. Among other things, such expandability of the chamber  118  may balance competing considerations associated with transporting the reactor  102  to remote locations in the field while also accommodating collection of rapidly produced lifting gas (e.g., hydrogen-containing lifting gas formed through reaction of activated aluminum with water). For example, the reactor  102  may be stored and transported in a compact form factor associated with the chamber  118  in the uninflated state, while expandability of the chamber  118  from the uninflated state to the inflated state may facilitate producing a large amount of low-pressure, lifting gas in the chamber  118  such that the lifting gas may be safely transferred to the aerostat  104  at a launch site. Further, with the chamber  118  in the inflated state, a maximum height H of the chamber  118  may be less than a maximum dimension D of the base  114  of the tank  112 . Stated differently, with the chamber  118  in the inflated state, the tank  112  may have a squat form factor—namely, a form factor that is low to the ground and marked by disproportionate shortness compared to a maximum dimension of the tank  112 . 
     As compared to a rigid chamber or a chamber having a different shape, the expandability of the chamber  118  of the tank  112  to a squat form factor may advantageously facilitate rapid production of lifting gas in the chamber  118  with coordinated rapid inflation and launch of the aerostat  104  at remote launch sites in the field. For example, in use, as described in greater detail below, activated aluminum  119  may be reacted with water  120  in the chamber  118  of the tank  112  to produce a lifting gas  121 . The activated aluminum  119  may include activated aluminum, such as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 10,745,789, issued to Jonathan Thurston Slocum on Aug. 18, 2020, and entitled “Activated Aluminum Fuel,” the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. The expandability of the chamber  118  to the inflated state having a squat form factor in which the maximum dimension D of the base is greater than the maximum height H of the chamber  118  may facilitate spreading the reaction of the activated aluminum  119  and water  120  over a wide area along the base  114  in the chamber  118 . As an example, this may be useful for reducing excess frothing of the reaction which, in turn, may reduce the likelihood of reaction products escaping from the chamber  118  during the reaction. Further, or instead, as the reaction of the activated aluminum  119  and water  120  progresses in the chamber  118 , reaction products may hit a portion of the crown  116  away from the coupling  110 — and, thus, away from the aerostat  104 —such that the expandability of the chamber  118  from the uninflated state to the squat form factor of the inflated state may acts as an energy dissipator for quenching ejecta eruptions from the frothing and reaction bubbles associated with rapid reaction of the activated aluminum  119  and water  120 . Such energy dissipation in the chamber  118  may make it less likely that unwanted contaminants will be carried with the lifting gas  121  moving into the aerostat  104 . 
     In general, the tank  112  may have an overall shape that facilitates reliable expandability of the chamber  118  from the uninflated state to the squat form factor associated with the inflated state under a variety of field conditions. Further, or instead, with the chamber  118  in the uninflated state, the tank  112  may have an overall shape that is easily carried by personnel to a remote location for launching the aerostat  104  in the field. Additionally, or alternatively, the tank  112  may have an overall shape that may be amenable to cost-effective manufacturing, even in small quantities. In certain implementations, the tank  112  may have a rated liquid capacity greater than is required for the reactants to be reacted in the chamber  118 . For example, in instances in which the reactants include the activated aluminum  119  and water  120 , the rated liquid capacity of the tank  112  may be at least twice the amount of water  120  used for the reaction with the activated aluminum  119  to provide enough empty space above the reactants to quench the ejecta burbling. 
     In certain implementations, the base  114  and the crown  116  may be directly coupled to one another. For example, an interface (e.g., seam) between the base  114  and the crown  116  forms at least a portion of a perimeter of the chamber  118 . As a more specific example, the base  114  and the crown  116  may be directly coupled to one another such that, with the chamber  118  in the inflated state, the tank  112  has a pillow-like shape. Among other things, such direct coupling between the base  114  and the crown  116  may be useful for achieving weight savings in fabrication of the tank  112 , thus facilitating transportability of the tank  112  by personnel in the field. Further, or instead, as compared to the use of intermediate materials, direct coupling between the base  114  and the crown  116  may reduce the number of potential failure modes of the tank  112  in the field, making the tank  112  both more robust and easier to repair. 
     The maximum dimension D of the base  114  may generally be any measure in one direction, along the base  114 , with the chamber  118  in the inflated state. Thus, for example, the maximum dimension D of the base  114  may be a diagonal dimension extending across the base  114  (e.g., a dimension extending through a geometric center of the base  114  for some shapes, such as instances in which the base  114  is circular along the chamber  118 ). Continuing with this example, the maximum height H of the chamber  118 , in the inflated state, may be less than about one-third of the diagonal dimension corresponding to the maximum dimension D of the base  114 . Such a ratio between the diagonal dimension and the maximum height H of the chamber  118  has been experimentally found to be useful for facilitating dampening of the reaction of the activated aluminum  119  and water  120  by the crown  116  while also facilitating removal of contaminants from the lifting gas flowing from the site of the reaction in the chamber  118  to the coupling  110  along the diagonal dimension of the base  114 . 
     In certain implementations, with the chamber  118  in the inflated state, the base  114  may be quadrilateral, as may be useful for facilitating more efficient use of material as compared to forming a base as a more rounded shape such as a circle or oval. Thus, for example, with the chamber  118  in the inflated state, the base  114  may be rectangular. As used in this context, unless otherwise specified or made clear from the context, the term rectangular shall be understood to include shapes that are geometrically rectangular—namely, a quadrilateral with right angles and inclusive of a square—as well as shapes that deviate slightly from a geometrically ideal rectangle due to manufacturing tolerances and/or deliberate rounding of corners (as may be useful for reducing force concentration along a portion of the chamber  118  corresponding to sharp corners of the base  114 ). As an example, with the chamber  118  in the inflated state, the base  114  may be rectangular, and a ratio of long to short sides may be less than about 6:1 (and greater than 1:1 in instances in which it is desirable to exclude a square), with uncertainty in the nominal ratio reflecting variation attributable to manufacturing tolerance. While larger ratios of long to short sides of rectangles may be used for the base  114 , such longer ratios may be associated with longer residence times of the lifting gas  121  in the chamber  118  which, in turn, may limit the rate of inflation of the aerostat  104 . Thus, stated differently, the base  114  formed as rectangular with a ratio of long to short sides less than about 6:1 with the chamber  118  in the inflated state may be useful for balancing competing considerations of allowing contaminants to dropout of the lifting gas  121  before moving into the aerostat  104  via the coupling  110  while also facilitating rapid inflation of the aerostat  104  in the field. 
     In certain implementations, the tank  112  itself may be flexible to unfold from a folded configuration as the chamber  118  expands from the uninflated state to the inflated state under pressure of the lifting gas  121  forming in the chamber  118 . That is, the tank  112  may be in a folded configuration (e.g., folded onto itself along one or more creases, rolled onto itself, or otherwise compacted) to facilitate storage and/or transport of the tank  112 . At or near the time launch site of the aerostat  104 , the activated aluminum  119  and water  120  may be combined in the chamber  118  with the tank  112  at least partially folded. Continuing with this example, as lifting gas  121  is produced and pressure in the chamber  118  expands the chamber  118  from the uninflated state to the inflated state, the tank  112  may unfold from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration such that the chamber  118  may expand to its fullest extent to facilitate dampening of the reaction and removal of contaminants from the lifting gas  121  produced in the chamber  118 . 
     In general, the chamber  118  may be expandable from the uninflated state to the inflated state according to any type of movement of the base  114  and the crown  116  relative to one another. For example, in some instances, the base  114  and the crown  116  may each be flexible relative to one another without either the base  114  or the crown  116  being resilient, as may be useful for dampening ejecta. That is, while being flexible relative to on another, the base  114  and the crown  116  do not absorb energy when elastically deformed and, thus, do not release such energy upon unloading. As an example, one or both of the base  114  or the crown  116  may be at least partially formed of ethylene propylene diene mono rubber (EPDM) or other similar polymers. 
     Further, or instead, the base  114  may be less flexible than the crown  116  to facilitate handling the tank  112 , such as dragging the tank  112  across rough ground for use in the field. For example, the base  114  may be thicker than the crown  116  to provide resistance against puncture or tearing as the tank  112  is handled under uncontrolled conditions. Further, or instead, as compared to the crown  116 , the base  114  may include one or more additional materials that provide structural strength to the base  114  to facilitate resisting damage to the base  114 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1 C,  1 D, and  1 E , the reactor  102  may additionally, or alternatively, include a support  122  extending from the coupling  110  into the chamber  118  of the tank  112  such that, with the chamber  118  in the uninflated state, the support  122  may space at least a portion of the crown  116  from the base  114 . More specifically, the support  122  may maintain spacing between the crown  116  from the base  114  at least locally in the vicinity of the coupling  110  to keep the coupling  110  above the level of water  120  in the chamber  118 , as is useful for reducing the likelihood that bubbling ejecta in the chamber  118  (e.g., during initial reaction stages) may pass into the aerostat  104  via the coupling  110 . For example, with additional weight of the aerostat  104  and a payload  124  associated with the aerostat  104 , the support  122  may resist sagging of the crown  116  in the vicinity of the coupling  110 . While the support  122  may be advantageously disposed in the chamber  118  to reduce the likelihood of entanglement with the aerostat  104 , it shall be appreciated that the support  122  may additionally or alternatively be at least partially disposed outside of the chamber  118  to maintain spacing between the crown  116  and the base in the vicinity of the coupling  110 . For example, in some cases, the support  122  may include an external tripod or leg system coupled to the crown  116  to hold the crown  116  (and, thus, the coupling  110 ) above the level of water  120  in the chamber  118 . 
     In certain implementations, the support  122  may additionally, or alternatively, facilitate filtering contaminants (e.g., solid particles) from the lifting gas  121  as the lifting gas  121  moves from the chamber  118  and into the coupling  110 . For example, the support  122  may define a plurality of orifices  126  in fluid communication with the coupling  110 . The plurality of orifices  126  may impart turbulence (e.g., swirl) to the lifting gas  121  as the lifting gas  121  moves into the coupling  110  via the plurality of orifices  126  of the support  122 . As compared to less turbulent flow, the increased turbulence imparted to the lifting gas  121  moving through the plurality of orifices  126  may increase the amount of solid particles removed from the lifting gas  121  before the lifting gas  121  enters the coupling  110  and, ultimately, the aerostat  104 . Further, as compared to the use of a filter material to remove particulates from the lifting gas  121 , the use of the plurality of orifices  126  to generate local turbulence in the flow of the lifting gas  121  may be less likely to cause the chamber  118  to fail as a result of a buildup of excessive pressure in the chamber  118 . 
     In certain implementations, the support  122  may include a cap section  128  having rounded surfaces positionable in contact with the base within the chamber. As compared to non-rounded surfaces, the rounded surfaces of the cap section  128  to reduce the likelihood of the support  122  snagging or tearing the base  114  of the tank  112 . In certain instances, the cap section  128  may be movable relative to the base  114  within the chamber  118 , as may be useful for reducing the likelihood of tearing along the base  114  resulting from over constraint of the support  122  within the chamber  118 . For example, the cap section  128  freely movable relative to the base  114  may reduce the likelihood of tearing the tank  112  in instances in which the tank is folded prior to or between uses. 
     In general, the first port  106  may be used for introducing reactants into the chamber  118  and, specifically, along a portion of the chamber  118  spaced away from the coupling  110 . That is, with the first port  106  facing up and in the same direction of inflation of the aerostat  104 , the activated aluminum  119  introduced into the first port  106  may fall under the force of gravity to a portion of the chamber  118  below the first port  106 , while water  120  in the chamber  118  may be nominally evenly distributed along the base  114  in the chamber  118  in instances in which the tank  112  is supported on a flat surface, although it may be acceptable for the tank  112  to be tilted slightly such that the first port  106  is lower than the coupling  110  such that water  120  in the chamber  118  tends to be along the portion of the chamber  118  below the first port  106 . With the first port  106  spaced away from the coupling  110  along the crown  116 , the portion of the chamber  118  that receive the reactants below the first port  106  is spaced away from the coupling such that, as the reaction of reactants like the activated aluminum  119  and water  120  proceeds, ejecta may impact the portion of the crown  116  between the first port  106  and the coupling  110 , falling out of the lifting gas  121  and collecting along the base  114  in the chamber  118  prior to reaching the coupling  110 . 
     In certain implementations, the relative spacing and/or orientation of the first port  106  relative to the coupling  110  may advantageously require the lifting gas  121  produced from the activated aluminum  119  and water  120  to flow along a nonlinear path in the chamber  118 , as is useful for causing particles to drop out of the lifting gas  121  before the lifting gas  121  exits the chamber  118  via the coupling  110 . As an example, the first port  106  may define a first longitudinal axis L 1  and the coupling  110  may define a second longitudinal axis L 2 , with the first longitudinal axis L 1  non-intersecting with the second longitudinal axis L 2  within the chamber  118 . Thus, as the activated aluminum  119  is introduced into the chamber  118  through the first port  106 , the activated aluminum  119  may generally settle along the base  114  in the vicinity of the intersection of the first longitudinal axis L 1  and the base  114 . To the extent the second longitudinal axis L 2  is non-intersecting with the first longitudinal axis L 1  within the chamber  118 , the lifting gas  121  produced from water  120  reacting with the activated aluminum  119  in the vicinity of the first longitudinal axis L 1  increases the likelihood that the lifting gas  121  moves along a nonlinear path to exit the chamber  118  approximately along the second longitudinal axis L 2  defined by the coupling  110 . 
     In some instances, the reactor  102  may include a first lid  131  positionable on the first port  106  to reduce the likelihood of unintended material entering the chamber  118  prior to or during use. The first lid  131  may be manually removable from the first port  106  prior to introduction of water  120  and/or the activated aluminum  119  into the chamber  118  via the first port  106 . Additionally, or alternatively, the first lid  131  may be repositionable on the first port  106  following combination of the activated aluminum  119  and water  120  in the chamber  118  to seal the first port  106 , thus reducing the likelihood of unintended escape of the lifting gas  121  from the chamber  118  via the first port  106 . 
     Further, or instead, the reactor  102  may include a valve  132  supported in the first port  106  and biased in a closed position in the first port  106 . For example, the valve  132  may be a ball valve. The valve  132  may be openable to introduce one or more of the activated aluminum  119  and water  120  into the chamber from an environment (e.g., a container) outside of the chamber  118 . Continuing with this example, the bias of the valve  132  toward the closed position may be useful for reducing the likelihood that ejecta from the vigorous first moments of reaction between the activated aluminum  119  and water  120  may exit the chamber  118  via the first port  106  before personnel have an opportunity to move away from the first port  106 . 
     In general, the second port  108  may be advantageously positioned away from the coupling  110  and the first port  106  to facilitate using the second port  108  to clean out the chamber  118  between uses. That is, while the first port  106  may be disposed along the crown  116  to facilitate introduction of reactants into the chamber  118  under the force of gravity and the coupling  110  may be disposed along the crown  116  to facilitate collecting the lifting gas  121  produced in the chamber  118 , the second port  108  may be disposed along a portion of the tank  112  closer to the base  114  to facilitate removing reaction products that have collected along the base  114  in the chamber  118  following use of the reactor  102 . For example, with the second port  108  supported on the tank  112  away from the coupling  110  and the first port  106 , the reaction products may be removed from the chamber  118  with little or no potential for unintentionally clogging the coupling  110  and/or the first port  106 . 
     In certain implementations, the reactor  102  may include a second lid  134  releasably positionable on the second port  108 . As reactants react with one another in the chamber  118 , the second lid  134  may be secured in place on the second port  108  to reduce the likelihood of unintended escape of the lifting gas  121  from the chamber  118  through the second port  108 . Once the reaction within the chamber  118  is complete and the aerostat  104  has been successfully separated from the reactor  102 , the second lid  134  may be removed from the second port  108  and the chamber  118  emptied of reaction products prior to the next use of the reactor  102 . 
     Given that the reactor  102  is generally intended to be portable and manually operable by personnel in remote locations, the reactor  102  may further, or instead, include one or more handles  136  supported on an outer surface supported on an outer surface  137  of the tank  112 . For example, the one or more handles  136  may be positioned along sides and/or along the top of the tank  112 . As may be appreciated, the one or more handles  136  may be useful for facilitating manually moving the reactor  102  into place prior to use and/or manually moving the reactor  102  (laden with reaction products) following use. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1 B- 1 R , the coupling  110  may include any one or more of the various different features of couplings described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/891,108, filed Aug. 18, 2022, and entitled “BUOYANT TENSIONING FOR AEROSTAT LIFTING,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. As an example, the coupling  110  may include a body  138 , a rim  139 , and a yoke  140 . The body  138  may have a first end portion  141  and a second end portion  142 , and the body  138  may define a passage  143  therebetween. The passage  143  of the body  138  of the coupling  110  may be in fluid communication with the chamber  118 . The rim  139  may be supported on the first end portion of the body  138  and coupled to the tank  112  as described in greater detail below. Further, or instead, the yoke  140  may be releasably supported on the second end portion  142  of the body  138  of the coupling  110  to decouple the aerostat  104  from the tank  112  as buoyancy of the lifting gas  121  in the aerostat  104  lifts the aerostat  104  upward, in a direction away from the crown  116  of the tank  112 . In certain instances, the coupling  110  may include a valve  144  disposed in the passage  143 . The valve  144  may include any one or more of the various different features—and may be operable according to any one or more of the various different techniques—described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/865,201, filed Jul. 14, 2022, and entitled “VALVING FOR CONTROLLING GAS FLOW,” the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     In general, the rim  139  of the coupling  110  may be secured to the crown  116  of the tank  112  to facilitate expansion of the aerostat  104  away from the tank  112  as the lifting gas  121  produced in the chamber  118  moves into the aerostat  104  via the coupling  110 . As an example, the reactor  102  may additionally, or alternatively, include a first plate  145  and a second plate  146 , and the rim  139  of the coupling  110  may be supported on the tank with material of the tank  112  disposed between the first plate  145  and the second plate  146  and the first plate  145  and the second plate  146  attached to one another (e.g., via bolts or other fasteners). In particular, the first plate  145  may be disposed in the chamber  118 , and the second plate  146  may be disposed on the outer surface  137  of the tank  112  along the crown  116 . In certain implementations, the portion of the crown  116  disposed between the first plate  145  and the second plate  146  may be thicker than other portions of the crown  116  and may define one or more apertures to accommodate the use of one or more corresponding mechanical fasteners to pass through the crown  116  to engage the first plate  145  and the second plate  146  to one another. 
     The rim  139  of the coupling  110  may be releasably secured to the second plate  146  (and, thus, from the tank  112 ) in some instances. Such separability of the coupling  110  from the tank  112  may facilitate transporting the reactor  102  to remote locations in the field. For example, with the coupling  110  removed, it may be easier to fold the tank  112  into a compact form factor with less of a risk of damaging the coupling  110  and/or the tank  112  itself. Thus, continuing with this example, the coupling  110  may be attachable to the tank  112  near in time to the use of the reactor  102  to inflate the aerostat  104  for launch. Further, or instead, the releasable separation of the rim  130  of the coupling  110  from the second plate  146  on the tank  112  may facilitate repairing and replacing portions of the reactor  102  in the field. Additionally, or alternatively, the releasable separation of the rim  130  of the coupling  110  may facilitate securing the aerostat  104  along the second end portion  142  of the coupling  110  (e.g., using a “roll sock” technique of the aerostat  104  secured between the yoke  140  and the second end portion  142  of the body  138 ) without the tank  112  constraining movement of the coupling  110  and, thus, reducing the potential for damaging the tank  112  and/or the aerostat  104  as the system  100  is assembled in the field to launch the aerostat  104 . 
     In certain implementations, the reactor  102  may additionally, or alternatively, include sealing material disposed between the rim  139  of the coupling and the second plate  146  to reduce the likelihood that the lifting gas  121  may escape between the rim  139  and the second plate  146  releasably secured to one another. As an example, the reactor  102  may additionally, or alternatively, include an O-ring  147  and a surface  148  of the rim  139  facing the second plate  146  may define a groove  149 . The O-ring  147  may be disposed in the groove  149  with the surface  148  of the rim  139  facing the second plate  146  such that the O-ring  147  provides sealing along the interface between the rim  139  and the second plate  146 . The releasable securement of the coupling  110  to the tank  112  via the second plate  146  may include compressing O-ring  147  between the rim  139  and the second plate  146 , as may be useful for reducing the potential for the lifting gas  121  to leak from the reactor  102  instead of being directed to the aerostat  104 . Stated, differently, compression of a sealing material, such as the O-ring  147 , between the rim  139  and the second plate  146  may increase the likelihood of efficient use of the activated aluminum  119  and water to produce the lifting gas  121  to provide buoyancy to the aerostat  104 . 
     In general, the coupling  110  may be releasably securable to the tank  112  via the second plate  146  according to any one or more of various, different techniques that may be reliably and quickly carried out in the field. As an example, the coupling  110  may be releasably securable to the tank  112  using any one or more of various, different quick-coupling techniques that may be carried out manually, without the use of tools. As used in this context, such quick-coupling techniques may include the use of any one or more of various, different latches and/or cam locks. 
     As an example, the reactor  102  may additionally, or alternatively, include two or more cam locks  150  supported on the second plate  146 , with each one of the two or more cam locks  150  may include a respective instance of the cam  151 . Continuing with this example, the rim  139  may include a ridge  152  (e.g., a surface having an arcuate profile in cross-section) circumscribing the passage  143  of the coupling  110 , and the cam  151  of each one of the two or more cam locks  150  may be rotatable in a first direction into releasable engagement with the ridge  152  of the rim  139  to secure the passage  143  of the coupling  110  in fluid communication with the chamber  118  of the tank  112 . Similarly, the cam  151  of each one of the two or more cam locks  150  may be rotatable in a second direction (opposite the first direction) to release the respective instance of the cam  151  from the rim  139  such that the coupling  110  may be removed from the second plate  146 . 
     In certain instances, with the two or more cam locks  150  releasably engaged with the ridge  152  of the rim  139  of the coupling  110 , the two or more cam locks  150  may be circumferentially spaced apart from one another about a circumference of the ridge  152  of the rim  139 . As compared to a monolithic cam lock that circumscribes an entire circumference to be secured in place, the two or more cam locks  150  may be more easily fabricated (e.g., without the need to injection mold a large cylindrical element). For example, typically, the largest hydraulic diameter monolithic cam lock is about 3.75 inch (nominally identified as a 4 inch coupling). However, for implementations of the system  100  in which up to 20 kg of the activated aluminum  119  is reacted with water  120 , a monolithic cam lock coupling of about 8 inches in hydraulic diameter would be required. Thus, as may be appreciated from this example, each one of the two or more cam locks  150  may be easily fabricated while also being combinable to work together to provide quick-coupling about a large circumference of the ridge  152  to hold the coupling  110  in place on the second plate  146 . 
     In general, the aerostat  104  may be any one or more of various, different types of lighter-than-air aircraft that gain lift primarily from aerostatic lift, in contrast to aerodynes that primarily make use of aerodynamic lift requiring movement of a wing surface through air. The aerostat  104  may contain a quantity of the lifting gas  121  such that the average density of the aerostat  104  (containing the quantity of the lifting gas  121  and inclusive of the payload  124 ) is less than or equal to the density of air at some altitude and, thus, the aerostat is at least neutrally buoyant in air for a period. Unless otherwise specified or made clear from the context, the aerostat  104  may include any manner and form of object that can receive lifting gas to have at least some degree of buoyancy in air, whether in an indoor or an outdoor environment. Accordingly, as used herein, the aerostat  104  may include any one or more of various, different manned or unmanned craft, dirigible or non-dirigible craft, independently propelled or floating craft, rigid or nonrigid craft, tethered or untethered craft, or combinations thereof. By way of example and not limitation, the aerostat  104  may include any one or more of the features of aerostats described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/586,759, filed on Jan. 27, 2022, and entitled “REMOTE GENERATION OF LIFTING GAS.” 
     Having described various aspects of the reactor  102  that may be useful for separating particulates or other contaminants from the lifting gas  121 , attention is directed now to additional or alternative aspects of reactors that may be useful for achieving efficient separation of contaminants from a lifting gas that has been generated according to any one or more of the various different techniques described herein while facilitating rapid inflation of an aerostat that may be coupled to such reactors. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2   , a system  200  may include a first reactor  202   a , a second reactor  202   b , an aerostat  204 , and a conduit  206 . The first reactor  202   a  and the second reactor  202   b  may be identical to one another and coupled in fluid communication with one another via the conduit  206 . The aerostat  204  may be supported on the first reactor  202   a  according to any one or more of the various, different techniques described herein, and the aerostat  204  may be in fluid communication with the second reactor  202   b  via the conduit  206  and the first reactor  202   a . Thus, for example, activated aluminum  219  and water  220  may be reacted with one another in the second reactor  202   b  according to any one or more of the various, different techniques described herein. As the reaction of the activated aluminum  219  and water  220  progresses in the second reactor  202   b , a lifting gas  221  is produced in the second reactor  202   b . As the lifting gas  221  impacts the second reactor  202   b , solid particles and other contaminants may fall out of the lifting gas  221 , settling in the second reactor  202   b . Thus, the lifting gas  221  moving in to the first reactor  202   a  via the conduit  206  (which may be rigid or flexible) may have a substantially reduced contaminant content as compared to the lifting gas  221  in the second reactor  202   b  and, thus, the first reactor  202   a  may be cleaner than the second reactor  202   b . Given this difference, it may be useful to switch the reactor that is used for the reaction between successive uses of the first reactor  202   a  and the second reactor  202   b . Further, as compared to the use of a single reactor, the combination of the first reactor  202   a  and the second reactor  202   b  may facilitate generating the lifting gas  221  using a smaller overall volume. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   , a system  300  may include a reactor  302  and an aerostat  304 . The aerostat  304  may be coupled to the reactor  302  according to any one or more of the various, different techniques described herein. The reactor  302  may define a chamber  318 , and the reactor  302  include a divider  360  disposed in the chamber  318  and separating the chamber into a first section  361  and a second section  362 . 
     In general, the divider  360  may facilitate absorbing the impact of ejecta generated from the reaction of activated aluminum  319  and water  320  to form a lifting gas  321  in the first section  361  of the chamber  318 . As an example, the divider  360  may define at least one aperture  364  through which the lifting gas  321  may flow from the first section  361  of the chamber  318  to the second section  362  of the chamber. It shall be appreciated that movement of the lifting gas  321  through the at least one aperture  364  may impart local turbulence (e.g., swirl) to the lifting gas  321 , as may be useful for facilitating removal of particles from the lifting gas  321  before the lifting gas  321  reaches the aerostat  304 . In some implementations, the divider  360  may additionally include at least one flap  366  in a corresponding instance of the at least one aperture  364 , and the at least one flap  366  may be movable in response to pressure of the lifting gas  321  moving through the at least one aperture  364  in a direction from the first section  361  toward the second section  362  of the chamber  318 . Accordingly, the at least one flap  366  may facilitate removal of particulates or other contaminants from the lifting gas  321  with little or no increase in pressure of the lifting gas  321  within the chamber  318 . 
     In certain implementations, the divider  360  may be generally vertically oriented within the chamber  318 . For example, the divider  360  may extend from a base  314  to a crown  316  at least partially defining the chamber  318 . Thus, the divider  360  may be flexibly supported in the chamber  318  to filter particles, even as the chamber  318  expands. Further, or instead, the reactor  302  may include a first port  306  in fluid communication with a coupling  310  of the reactor  302  via the at least one aperture  364  of the divider  360 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4   , a system  400  may include a reactor  402  and an aerostat  404 . The aerostat  404  may be coupled to the reactor  402  according to any one or more of the various, different techniques described herein. The reactor  402  may define a chamber  418 , and the reactor  402  may include a divider  460  that is generally horizontally oriented within the chamber  418  to filter particles from a lifting gas  421  generated by reaction of activated aluminum  419  and activated aluminum in a first section  461  of the chamber  418 . As the lifting gas  421  rises in the first section  461  of the chamber  418 , the lifting gas  421  may pass through at least one aperture  464  defined by the divider  460  (e.g., with or without a flap disposed in the at least one aperture  464 ). Thus, as the lifting gas  421  moves through the at least one aperture  464 , the divider  460  may impart local turbulence (e.g., swirl) to the flow of the lifting gas  421  to facilitate separating particles from the lifting gas  421  before the lifting gas  421  reaches the aerostat  404  via the second section  462  of the chamber  418 . 
     The method steps of the implementations described herein are intended to include any suitable method of causing such method steps to be performed, consistent with the patentability of the following claims, unless a different meaning is expressly provided or otherwise clear from the context. So, for example performing the step of X includes any suitable method for causing another party such as a remote user, a remote processing resource (e.g., a server or cloud computer) or a machine to perform the step of X. Similarly, performing steps X, Y and Z may include any method of directing or controlling any combination of such other individuals or resources to perform steps X, Y and Z to obtain the benefit of such steps. Thus, method steps of the implementations described herein are intended to include any suitable method of causing one or more other parties or entities to perform the steps, consistent with the patentability of the following claims, unless a different meaning is expressly provided or otherwise clear from the context. Such parties or entities need not be under the direction or control of any other party or entity, and need not be located within a particular jurisdiction. 
     It will be appreciated that the methods and systems described above are set forth by way of example and not of limitation. Numerous variations, additions, omissions, and other modifications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. In addition, the order or presentation of method steps in the description and drawings above is not intended to require this order of performing the recited steps unless a particular order is expressly required or otherwise clear from the context. Thus, while particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the disclosure.