US3298182A - Ignition means for monopropellant - Google Patents
Ignition means for monopropellant Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3298182A US3298182A US377784A US37778464A US3298182A US 3298182 A US3298182 A US 3298182A US 377784 A US377784 A US 377784A US 37778464 A US37778464 A US 37778464A US 3298182 A US3298182 A US 3298182A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- hydrazine
- catalyst
- coating
- bed
- chamber
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- OAKJQQAXSVQMHS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrazine Chemical compound NN OAKJQQAXSVQMHS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 80
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 claims description 64
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims description 33
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims description 33
- 239000007800 oxidant agent Substances 0.000 claims description 25
- RZCJSVRGPHXBSM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 8-chloro-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]quinazoline Chemical compound C1=C2C(Cl)=NC=NC2=CC2=C1OCO2 RZCJSVRGPHXBSM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 14
- BIZCJSDBWZTASZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N iodine pentoxide Inorganic materials O=I(=O)OI(=O)=O BIZCJSDBWZTASZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000006479 redox reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 34
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 34
- 239000008188 pellet Substances 0.000 description 20
- 229910017052 cobalt Inorganic materials 0.000 description 17
- 239000010941 cobalt Substances 0.000 description 17
- GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N cobalt atom Chemical compound [Co] GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 17
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 17
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 17
- 238000000354 decomposition reaction Methods 0.000 description 14
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 10
- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium oxide Inorganic materials [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 9
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 9
- 230000001590 oxidative effect Effects 0.000 description 9
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 9
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 8
- 230000003197 catalytic effect Effects 0.000 description 7
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 4
- VCJMYUPGQJHHFU-UHFFFAOYSA-N iron(3+);trinitrate Chemical compound [Fe+3].[O-][N+]([O-])=O.[O-][N+]([O-])=O.[O-][N+]([O-])=O VCJMYUPGQJHHFU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- ZCYVEMRRCGMTRW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 7553-56-2 Chemical compound [I] ZCYVEMRRCGMTRW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Glycerine Chemical compound OCC(O)CO PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000003421 catalytic decomposition reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- UFMZWBIQTDUYBN-UHFFFAOYSA-N cobalt dinitrate Chemical compound [Co+2].[O-][N+]([O-])=O.[O-][N+]([O-])=O UFMZWBIQTDUYBN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910001981 cobalt nitrate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011630 iodine Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052740 iodine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- KBJMLQFLOWQJNF-UHFFFAOYSA-N nickel(ii) nitrate Chemical compound [Ni+2].[O-][N+]([O-])=O.[O-][N+]([O-])=O KBJMLQFLOWQJNF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- TWNQGVIAIRXVLR-UHFFFAOYSA-N oxo(oxoalumanyloxy)alumane Chemical compound O=[Al]O[Al]=O TWNQGVIAIRXVLR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- FGIUAXJPYTZDNR-UHFFFAOYSA-N potassium nitrate Chemical compound [K+].[O-][N+]([O-])=O FGIUAXJPYTZDNR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003380 propellant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 2
- RHUYHJGZWVXEHW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,1-Dimethyhydrazine Chemical compound CN(C)N RHUYHJGZWVXEHW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000013313 FeNO test Methods 0.000 description 1
- 101150055539 HADH gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Molybdenum Chemical compound [Mo] ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910002651 NO3 Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- NHNBFGGVMKEFGY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nitrate Chemical compound [O-][N+]([O-])=O NHNBFGGVMKEFGY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zinc Chemical compound [Zn] HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- QCWXUUIWCKQGHC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zirconium Chemical compound [Zr] QCWXUUIWCKQGHC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000013019 agitation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- RAESLDWEUUSRLO-UHFFFAOYSA-O aminoazanium;nitrate Chemical compound [NH3+]N.[O-][N+]([O-])=O RAESLDWEUUSRLO-UHFFFAOYSA-O 0.000 description 1
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 description 1
- UORVGPXVDQYIDP-UHFFFAOYSA-N borane Chemical compound B UORVGPXVDQYIDP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910010277 boron hydride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010892 electric spark Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002429 hydrazines Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000005470 impregnation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000977 initiatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- WPBNNNQJVZRUHP-UHFFFAOYSA-L manganese(2+);methyl n-[[2-(methoxycarbonylcarbamothioylamino)phenyl]carbamothioyl]carbamate;n-[2-(sulfidocarbothioylamino)ethyl]carbamodithioate Chemical compound [Mn+2].[S-]C(=S)NCCNC([S-])=S.COC(=O)NC(=S)NC1=CC=CC=C1NC(=S)NC(=O)OC WPBNNNQJVZRUHP-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052750 molybdenum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011733 molybdenum Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052762 osmium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- SYQBFIAQOQZEGI-UHFFFAOYSA-N osmium atom Chemical compound [Os] SYQBFIAQOQZEGI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- RVTZCBVAJQQJTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N oxygen(2-);zirconium(4+) Chemical compound [O-2].[O-2].[Zr+4] RVTZCBVAJQQJTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000011837 pasties Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- VKJKEPKFPUWCAS-UHFFFAOYSA-M potassium chlorate Chemical compound [K+].[O-]Cl(=O)=O VKJKEPKFPUWCAS-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 235000010333 potassium nitrate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000004323 potassium nitrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012286 potassium permanganate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001737 promoting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052703 rhodium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010948 rhodium Substances 0.000 description 1
- MHOVAHRLVXNVSD-UHFFFAOYSA-N rhodium atom Chemical compound [Rh] MHOVAHRLVXNVSD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
- HBMJWWWQQXIZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon carbide Chemical compound [Si+]#[C-] HBMJWWWQQXIZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910010271 silicon carbide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052814 silicon oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- BAZAXWOYCMUHIX-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium perchlorate Chemical compound [Na+].[O-]Cl(=O)(=O)=O BAZAXWOYCMUHIX-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 229910001488 sodium perchlorate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052725 zinc Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011701 zinc Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052726 zirconium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910001928 zirconium oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
- C06D—MEANS FOR GENERATING SMOKE OR MIST; GAS-ATTACK COMPOSITIONS; GENERATION OF GAS FOR BLASTING OR PROPULSION (CHEMICAL PART)
- C06D5/00—Generation of pressure gas, e.g. for blasting cartridges, starting cartridges, rockets
- C06D5/04—Generation of pressure gas, e.g. for blasting cartridges, starting cartridges, rockets by auto-decomposition of single substances
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
- C06B—EXPLOSIVES OR THERMIC COMPOSITIONS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS EXPLOSIVES
- C06B47/00—Compositions in which the components are separately stored until the moment of burning or explosion, e.g. "Sprengel"-type explosives; Suspensions of solid component in a normally non-explosive liquid phase, including a thickened aqueous phase
- C06B47/02—Compositions in which the components are separately stored until the moment of burning or explosion, e.g. "Sprengel"-type explosives; Suspensions of solid component in a normally non-explosive liquid phase, including a thickened aqueous phase the components comprising a binary propellant
- C06B47/08—Compositions in which the components are separately stored until the moment of burning or explosion, e.g. "Sprengel"-type explosives; Suspensions of solid component in a normally non-explosive liquid phase, including a thickened aqueous phase the components comprising a binary propellant a component containing hydrazine or a hydrazine derivative
Definitions
- FIG. 1 ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS
- This invention relates to a new method for ignition of monopropellant-hydrazine in a thrust type decomposition device.
- monopropellant refers to a propellant which is a single material rather than a mixture of a fuel and an oxidizer.
- the Ranger spacecraft to be launchced by an Atlas-Agena B type launch vehicle, will carry a group of cameras for transmitting pictures of the lunar surfaces just prior to a hard or crash landing thereon.
- the spacecraft carries a low thrust monopropellam-hydrazine engine used for effecting mid-course trajectory correction.
- the mid-course correction engine may embody the hydrazine-ignition concept disclosed herein.
- hydrazine possesses utility as a liquid propellant for rocket engines. It may be combined with an oxidizer in bipropellant reactions and in this .form displays excellent self-igniting characteristics. Hydrazine may also be used as a monopropellant by decomposition in the presence of selected catalysts. The heat of decomposition of hydrazine is sufiicient to maintain adequate catalyst activity once ignition is obtained, but initiating the decomposition presents a special ignition problem. J
- a combustion chamber is provided with a catalyst bed wherein a thin layer of catalyst pellets are coated with an oxidizer in solid form.
- a hydrazine flow is introduced into the chamber and undergoes a vigorous oxidation-reduction reaction upon contact with the coating on the catalyst. The energy released from this reaction serves to heat the catalyst bed sufiicient to decompose .the flowing hydrazine upon contact.
- the amount of coating used need only be sufi'icient to raise the catalyst temperature high enough to initiate decomposition of the hydrazine since the heat of decomposition then maintains the catalyst at a temperature necessary to sustain the decomposition.
- the ignition system of this invention is simplified, requires no auxiliary equip ment such as separate oxidizer injectors, provides a substantially lighter overall system, is less bulky, and has superior heating characteristics, all at a lower cost.
- FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a typical decomposition chamber and thrust generating unit having a catalytic bed wherein the upper part of the "bed has a solid oxidizer coating on each of the catalyst pellets.
- FIG. 2 shows a magnified view of a cross-section of a portion of the bed having the coated catalytic pellets lying above the uncoated catalytic pellets.
- the cylindrical decomposition chamber 1 which is provided with a granular or pellet type of catalyst bed 2 occupying a portion of the downstream end of the chamber.
- the catalyst bed may occupy substantially two-thirds of the chamber.
- the catalyst bed 2 is contained in this area by a pair of apertured screen members 3 and 4 on the downstream and upstream ends respectively.
- a frustrum-like headplate 5 having a flanged perimeter 6 is bolted to an externally directed flange 7 on the upstream end of the chamber.
- the injection nozzle 8 through which the hydrazine enters is disposed axially of the chamber in the frustrum-shaped headplate 5 and provides means for injecting the monopropellant into the combustion chamber.
- the gases produced by the reaction within the chamber are then exhausted through the throat 12.
- Many satisfactory catalyst must be heated in order to decompose hydrazine at a rate suflicient for thrust purposes.
- the effect of these catalyst on the rate of decomposition is enhanced at higher temperatures.
- the higher temperature is achieved by bringing a portion of hydrazine in contact with a strong oxidizer coating on a portion of the catalyst bed. Upon contact an exothermic reaction is initiated, providing sufficient heat to the remaining catalyst bed to sustain the catalytic decomposition of additional quantities of hydrazine.
- the catalyst is comprised of the carrier pellet 11 having the catalyst substances impregnated therein. It may be used in various shapes or sizes. Examples include a pellet of spherical or a cylindrical shape.
- the preferred carrier pellet for the present invention ranges in size from a oneeig-hth to a one-fourth inch sphere.
- Various types of carriers may be used in the present invention also. Zirconium oxide, silicon carbide, and silicon oxide are noted as examples. However, aluminum oxide provides the most satisfactory results and is therefore preferred.
- compositions which, when heated, catalyze the decomposition of hydrazine at a rate suflicient for thrust purposes.
- a few of these are manganese, copper, iron, zinc, zirconium, molybdenum, rhodium, osmium, nickel, and cobalt. It has been found that individual preparations of ferric nitrate, nickel nitrate, or cobalt nitrate provide good activity in the presence of hydrazine. Likewise, combinations of the latter three materials catalyze the hydrazine decomposition.
- a preferred catalytic composition may be prepared from an equimolal solution of each of the three.
- NiNO cobalt nitrate CoNO and ferric nitrate (FeNO are dissolved in 500 grams of water.
- carrier pellets which in the preferred case are the aluminum oxide (A1 0 pellets approximately 1 of an inch in diameter, are added to the solution.
- the pellets are soaked in the solution which is then heated to boiling for about two hours to drive off the water.
- the pellets are then heated further to 500 in order to drive off the nitrate component and reduce the compounds to oxides or iron, nickel, and cobalt.
- This process results in the uniform impregnation of the carrier pellets by the catalyst and also provides for a catalytic coating, to some extent, on the surface of the pellets.
- FIG. 2 there is shown an enlarged section of the bed wherein the upper one-fourth inch or more of catalyst pellets 11 is coated further with the solid oxidizer 10 so that upon contact with the hydrazine the energy given off by the upper pellets is sufiicient to heat the lower catalytic bed to a temperature which will decompose subsequently introduced hydrazine.
- This further coating may take the form of a strong oxidizing substance. Examples are potassium permanganate, potassium chlorate, sodium perchlorate, or potassium nitrate.
- This second coating is prepared by first dissolving the oxidizing substance in water, which in the preferred case will be iodine pentoxide (I 0 ).
- the ratio of iodine pentoxide (I 0 to water may be varied, depending upon the thickness of the coating which is desired. Since the amount of heat produced upon contact between the hydrazine and iodine pentoxide (I 0 coating will be a function of the coating thickness and since maximum heat from the reaction is desirable a thick coating should be applied to the catalyst. The thickest coating will be realized by adding one part of water to about 1.87 parts by weight of the crystalline iodine pentoxide. Likewise a minimal coating may be obtained by using a lower iodine pentoxide to water ratio.
- the .previously prepared pelleted catalyst is added to the iodine pentoxide-water solution in a one to one weight ratio.
- the solution is then placed over a low heat to evaporate the excess water until a pasty consistency is obtained.
- the pellets are then placed in an oven at about 300 F. and dried with slow agitation for twelve hours. They must then be stored in an air-tight container. This procedure provides for a uniform oxidizer coating on the surface of the catalyst pellets.
- pellets having the oxidizer coating are then placed at the end of the bed nearest the fuel inlet and, upon the introduction of hydrazine, energy is released which heats the catalyst to a temperature suflicient to initiate and sustain the catalytic decomposition of additional hydrazine as it is subsequently fed into the chamber.
- a method for decomposing hydrazine comprising the steps of:
- first and second catalyst each comprise an alumina carrier impregnated with a mixture of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt.
- first and second catalysts each comprise an alumina carrier impregnated with a compound selected from the group consisting of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt.
- a thrust-type rocket engine comprising a combustion chamber having first and second ends;
- a solid coating of a strong oxidizer encapsulating a thin layer of particles of said catalyst bed, said thin layer being nearest that part of the bed which is proximate to said injection nozzle so that injection of hydrazine through said nozzle onto said coated catalyst causes an oxidation-reduction reaction.
- said catalyst comprises a carrier impregnated with a compound selected from the group consisting of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt.
- said catalyst comprises a mixture of the oxides of iron, cobalt, and nickel.
- said catalyst is a mixture comprising the oxides of iron, cobalt, and nickel and said coating is iodine pentoxide.
- said catalyst comprises alumina impregnated with a compound selected from the group consisting of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt and wherein said strong oxidant coating is iodine pentoxide.
- said catalyst comprises alumina impregnated with a mixture of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt and wherein said strong oxidizer coating is iodine pentoxide.
- said catalyst comprises a carrier impregnated with a compound selected from the group consisting of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt and wherein said strong oxidizer coating is iodine pentoxide.
- An ignition means comprising a particulate catalyst effective for decomposing hydrazine at elevated temperatures encapsulated with a solid coating of iodine pentoxide.
- the ignition means of claim 13 wherein said catalyst comprises alumina impregnated with a mixture of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt.
- said catalyst comprises alumina impregnated with a compound selected from the group consisting of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt.
- said catalyst comprises a carrier impregnated with a compound selected from the group consisting of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt.
- a catalyst bed comprising a first particulate layer of catalyst efiYectiVe for decomposing hydrazine at elevated temperatures and a relatively thin particulate second layer of catalyst effective for decomposing hydrazine at elevated temperatures, said second layer being encapsulated with a solid coating comprising a strong oxidant.
- the catalyst bed of claim 18 wherein said first 22.
- said first and and second catalyst layers comprise alumina impregnated SBPOIId y layers 9 p a Carper impregnated with a mixture of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt, Wlth a mlxwre 0f the @Xldes of H011, nlCkel, and cobaltgiggtghgzein said strong oxidant coating comprises iodine 5 References Cited by the Examiner 20.i
- said first UNITED STATES PATENTS and second catalyst layers comprise alumina impregnated 2,721,788 10/1955 Schad 23-281 with a compound selected from the group consisting of 2 ,667 2/196Z Grlfiin 6035.4 the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt, and wherein said 311011539 8/1963 Hamrlck et 23-431 X strong oxidant coating comprises i
- the catalyst bed of claim 18 wherein said first MARK NEWMAN Primary Examiner and second catalyst layers comprise alumina impregnated with a compound selected from the group consisting CARLTON CROYLE Exammer' of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt. 15 D. HART, Assistant Examiner.
Description
Jan; 17, 1967 JAMES E. WEBB 3,293,132
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS FIG- NM mm TL Tm mm mm m A m cm AM PN m Aw FIG.
United States Patent 3,298,182 IGNITION MEANS FOR MONOPROPELLANT James El Webb, Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration with respect to an invention of Donald H. Lee and David D. Evans Filed June 24, 1964, Ser. No. 377,784
22 Claims. (Cl. 60-251) This invention relates to a new method for ignition of monopropellant-hydrazine in a thrust type decomposition device. The term monopropellant as used herein refers to a propellant which is a single material rather than a mixture of a fuel and an oxidizer.
An example of an application to which the present invention is intended is in the small thrust engines used in the Ranger moon probe program. The purpose of this program is to examine the surface of the moon in preparation for its exploration by man. The Ranger spacecraft, to be launchced by an Atlas-Agena B type launch vehicle, will carry a group of cameras for transmitting pictures of the lunar surfaces just prior to a hard or crash landing thereon. The spacecraft carries a low thrust monopropellam-hydrazine engine used for effecting mid-course trajectory correction. The mid-course correction engine may embody the hydrazine-ignition concept disclosed herein.
It is well known in the art that hydrazine possesses utility as a liquid propellant for rocket engines. It may be combined with an oxidizer in bipropellant reactions and in this .form displays excellent self-igniting characteristics. Hydrazine may also be used as a monopropellant by decomposition in the presence of selected catalysts. The heat of decomposition of hydrazine is sufiicient to maintain adequate catalyst activity once ignition is obtained, but initiating the decomposition presents a special ignition problem. J
A number of ways have been tried in the past for heating a catalyst bed in a combustion chamber to a temperature sufficient to initiate the decomposition of the hydrazine. Some of the prior art efforts in this area have been directed to the use of electrical heaters. Later efforts injected, from an external source, an oxidizer which was hypergolic with the hydrazine, thus causing the catalyst bed to be heated by the resulting combustion. Still further efforts attempted to utilize an electric spark or various glow plug devices. The main disadvantage of such prior art ignition systems is that they require auxiliary equipment which undesirably adds weight and complexity to the overall thrust system. Such auxiliary ignition devices further detract from the thrust system by displacing needed area and also by their additional cost.
,In the present invention a combustion chamber is provided with a catalyst bed wherein a thin layer of catalyst pellets are coated with an oxidizer in solid form. A hydrazine flow is introduced into the chamber and undergoes a vigorous oxidation-reduction reaction upon contact with the coating on the catalyst. The energy released from this reaction serves to heat the catalyst bed sufiicient to decompose .the flowing hydrazine upon contact. The amount of coating used need only be sufi'icient to raise the catalyst temperature high enough to initiate decomposition of the hydrazine since the heat of decomposition then maintains the catalyst at a temperature necessary to sustain the decomposition.
When compared with the prior art, the ignition system of this invention is simplified, requires no auxiliary equip ment such as separate oxidizer injectors, provides a substantially lighter overall system, is less bulky, and has superior heating characteristics, all at a lower cost. These and other. advantages and improvements will become evidentin light of the following description and drawings wherein:
3,298,182 Patented Jan. 17, 1967 FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a typical decomposition chamber and thrust generating unit having a catalytic bed wherein the upper part of the "bed has a solid oxidizer coating on each of the catalyst pellets.
FIG. 2 shows a magnified view of a cross-section of a portion of the bed having the coated catalytic pellets lying above the uncoated catalytic pellets.
With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown the cylindrical decomposition chamber 1 which is provided with a granular or pellet type of catalyst bed 2 occupying a portion of the downstream end of the chamber. The catalyst bed may occupy substantially two-thirds of the chamber. The catalyst bed 2 is contained in this area by a pair of apertured screen members 3 and 4 on the downstream and upstream ends respectively. A frustrum-like headplate 5 having a flanged perimeter 6 is bolted to an externally directed flange 7 on the upstream end of the chamber. The injection nozzle 8 through which the hydrazine enters is disposed axially of the chamber in the frustrum-shaped headplate 5 and provides means for injecting the monopropellant into the combustion chamber. The gases produced by the reaction within the chamber are then exhausted through the throat 12. Many satisfactory catalyst must be heated in order to decompose hydrazine at a rate suflicient for thrust purposes. The effect of these catalyst on the rate of decomposition is enhanced at higher temperatures. In this invention the higher temperature is achieved by bringing a portion of hydrazine in contact with a strong oxidizer coating on a portion of the catalyst bed. Upon contact an exothermic reaction is initiated, providing sufficient heat to the remaining catalyst bed to sustain the catalytic decomposition of additional quantities of hydrazine.
The catalyst is comprised of the carrier pellet 11 having the catalyst substances impregnated therein. It may be used in various shapes or sizes. Examples include a pellet of spherical or a cylindrical shape. The preferred carrier pellet for the present invention ranges in size from a oneeig-hth to a one-fourth inch sphere. Various types of carriers may be used in the present invention also. Zirconium oxide, silicon carbide, and silicon oxide are noted as examples. However, aluminum oxide provides the most satisfactory results and is therefore preferred.
As previously noted, there are known to be numerous compositions which, when heated, catalyze the decomposition of hydrazine at a rate suflicient for thrust purposes. A few of these are manganese, copper, iron, zinc, zirconium, molybdenum, rhodium, osmium, nickel, and cobalt. It has been found that individual preparations of ferric nitrate, nickel nitrate, or cobalt nitrate provide good activity in the presence of hydrazine. Likewise, combinations of the latter three materials catalyze the hydrazine decomposition. A preferred catalytic composition may be prepared from an equimolal solution of each of the three. In preparing the preferred catalyst one mole each of the nickel nitrate (NiNO cobalt nitrate (CoNO and ferric nitrate (FeNO are dissolved in 500 grams of water. About one thousand (1,000) grams of carrier pellets, which in the preferred case are the aluminum oxide (A1 0 pellets approximately 1 of an inch in diameter, are added to the solution. The pellets are soaked in the solution which is then heated to boiling for about two hours to drive off the water. The pellets are then heated further to 500 in order to drive off the nitrate component and reduce the compounds to oxides or iron, nickel, and cobalt. This process results in the uniform impregnation of the carrier pellets by the catalyst and also provides for a catalytic coating, to some extent, on the surface of the pellets.
In FIG. 2 there is shown an enlarged section of the bed wherein the upper one-fourth inch or more of catalyst pellets 11 is coated further with the solid oxidizer 10 so that upon contact with the hydrazine the energy given off by the upper pellets is sufiicient to heat the lower catalytic bed to a temperature which will decompose subsequently introduced hydrazine. This further coating may take the form of a strong oxidizing substance. Examples are potassium permanganate, potassium chlorate, sodium perchlorate, or potassium nitrate. It has been found, however, that crystalline iodine pentoxide (I will form a highly desirable coating because it possesses excellent thermal and shock stability, contains an abundance of oxygen which enhances its reaction with hydrazine, and furthermore is soluble in water. Because of the latter characteristic it is readily processed for coating the catalytic pellets.
This second coating is prepared by first dissolving the oxidizing substance in water, which in the preferred case will be iodine pentoxide (I 0 The ratio of iodine pentoxide (I 0 to water may be varied, depending upon the thickness of the coating which is desired. Since the amount of heat produced upon contact between the hydrazine and iodine pentoxide (I 0 coating will be a function of the coating thickness and since maximum heat from the reaction is desirable a thick coating should be applied to the catalyst. The thickest coating will be realized by adding one part of water to about 1.87 parts by weight of the crystalline iodine pentoxide. Likewise a minimal coating may be obtained by using a lower iodine pentoxide to water ratio. The .previously prepared pelleted catalyst is added to the iodine pentoxide-water solution in a one to one weight ratio. The solution is then placed over a low heat to evaporate the excess water until a pasty consistency is obtained. The pellets are then placed in an oven at about 300 F. and dried with slow agitation for twelve hours. They must then be stored in an air-tight container. This procedure provides for a uniform oxidizer coating on the surface of the catalyst pellets.
The pellets having the oxidizer coating are then placed at the end of the bed nearest the fuel inlet and, upon the introduction of hydrazine, energy is released which heats the catalyst to a temperature suflicient to initiate and sustain the catalytic decomposition of additional hydrazine as it is subsequently fed into the chamber.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art, upon a study of this disclosure, that the invention itself permits of various modifications, alterations, and substitutions, and that the concept disclosed herein is not limited in use to hydrazine fuel but is applicable to hydrazine derivatives such as hydrazine nitrate, unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine, or other fuels such as boron-hydride which may be catalytically decomposed.
What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
1. A method for decomposing hydrazine comprising the steps of:
(1) Contacting a quantity of hydrazine with a first catalyst, said first catalyst being eflFective for decomposing hydrazine at elevated temperatures and said first catalyst being encapsulated with a solid coating of a strong oxidant, whereby at least a portion of said hydrazine undergoes a vigorous oxidation-reduction reaction with the oxidant coating and whereby the oxidant coating is consumed with the liberation of heat;
(2) Exposing a second catalyst to the heat liberated from said oxidation-reduction reaction, said second catalyst also being effective for decomposing hydrazine at elevated temperatures, whereby said first and second catalysts become heated to the point where they are effective for promoting the decomposition of hydrazine; and
(3) Contacting an additional quantity of hydrazine with said first and second catalyst-s, whereby the hydrazine is decomposed with the liberation of heat, thereby maintaining said first and second catalysts at temperature sutficient to decompose still additional quantities of hydrazine.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said first and second catalyst each comprise an alumina carrier impregnated with a mixture of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said first and second catalysts, each comprise an alumina carrier impregnated with a compound selected from the group consisting of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the strong oxidant coating is iodine pentoxide.
5. The method of claim 2 wherein the strong oxidant coating isiodine pentoxide.
6. A thrust-type rocket engine comprising a combustion chamber having first and second ends;
an injection nozzle for hydrazine connected at said first end of said chanmber and an exhaust means at the second end of said chamber;
a pair of spaced screens within said chamber and connected thereto;
a particulate catalyst bed disposed between said screens;
a solid coating of a strong oxidizer encapsulating a thin layer of particles of said catalyst bed, said thin layer being nearest that part of the bed which is proximate to said injection nozzle so that injection of hydrazine through said nozzle onto said coated catalyst causes an oxidation-reduction reaction.
7. The thrust-type rocket engine as recited in claim 6 wherein said catalyst comprises a carrier impregnated with a compound selected from the group consisting of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt.
8. The thrust-type rocket engine of claim 6 wherein said catalyst comprises a mixture of the oxides of iron, cobalt, and nickel.
9. The thrust-type rocket engine of claim 6 wherein said catalyst is a mixture comprising the oxides of iron, cobalt, and nickel and said coating is iodine pentoxide.
10. The thrust-type rocket engne of claim 6 wherein said catalyst comprises alumina impregnated with a compound selected from the group consisting of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt and wherein said strong oxidant coating is iodine pentoxide.
11. The thrust-type rocket engine of claim 6 wherein said catalyst comprises alumina impregnated with a mixture of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt and wherein said strong oxidizer coating is iodine pentoxide.
12. The thrust-type rocket engine of claim 6 wherein said catalyst comprises a carrier impregnated with a compound selected from the group consisting of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt and wherein said strong oxidizer coating is iodine pentoxide.
13. An ignition means comprising a particulate catalyst effective for decomposing hydrazine at elevated temperatures encapsulated with a solid coating of iodine pentoxide.
14. The ignition means of claim 13 wherein said catalyst comprises alumina impregnated with a mixture of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt.
15. The ignition means of claim 13 wherein said catalyst comprises alumina impregnated with a compound selected from the group consisting of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt.
16. The ignition means of claim 13 wherein said catalyst comprises a carrier impregnated with a compound selected from the group consisting of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt.
17. The ignition means of claim 13 wherein said catalyst comprises a carrier impregnated with a mixture of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt.
18. A catalyst bed comprising a first particulate layer of catalyst efiYectiVe for decomposing hydrazine at elevated temperatures and a relatively thin particulate second layer of catalyst effective for decomposing hydrazine at elevated temperatures, said second layer being encapsulated with a solid coating comprising a strong oxidant.
19.1 The catalyst bed of claim 18 wherein said first 22. The catalyst bed of claim 18 wherein said first and and second catalyst layers comprise alumina impregnated SBPOIId y layers 9 p a Carper impregnated with a mixture of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt, Wlth a mlxwre 0f the @Xldes of H011, nlCkel, and cobaltgiggtghgzein said strong oxidant coating comprises iodine 5 References Cited by the Examiner 20.iThe catalyst bed of claim 18 wherein said first UNITED STATES PATENTS and second catalyst layers comprise alumina impregnated 2,721,788 10/1955 Schad 23-281 with a compound selected from the group consisting of 2 ,667 2/196Z Grlfiin 6035.4 the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt, and wherein said 311011539 8/1963 Hamrlck et 23-431 X strong oxidant coating comprises iodine pentoxide. 10 31120738 2/1964 Webb 6035-6 21. The catalyst :bed of claim 18 wherein said first MARK NEWMAN Primary Examiner and second catalyst layers comprise alumina impregnated with a compound selected from the group consisting CARLTON CROYLE Exammer' of the oxides of iron, nickel, and cobalt. 15 D. HART, Assistant Examiner.
Claims (2)
- 6. A THRUST-TYPE ROCKET ENGINE COMPRISING A COMBUSTION CHAMBER HAVING FIRST AND SECOND ENDS; AN INJECTION NOZZLE FOR HYDRAZINE CONNECTED AT SAID FIRST END OF SAID CHANMBER AND AN EXHAUST MEANS AT THE SECOND END OF SAID CHAMBER; A PAIR OF SPACED SCREENS WITHIN SAID CHAMBER AND CONNECTED THERETO; A PARTICULATE CATALYST BED DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID SCREENS; A SOLID COATING OF A STRONG OXIDIZER ENCAPSULATING A THIN LAYER OF PARTICLES OF SAID CATALYST BED, SAID THIN LAYER BEING NEAREST THAT PART OF THE BED WHICH IS PROXIMATE TO SAID INJECTION NOZZLE SO THAT INJECTION OF HYDRAZINE THROUGH SAID NOZZLE ONTO SAID COATED CATALYST CAUSES AN OXIDATION-REDUCTION REACTION.
- 13. AN IGNITION MEANS COMPRISING A PARTICULATE CATALYST EFFECTIVE FOR DECOMPOSING HYDRAZINE AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES ENCAPSULATED WITH A SOLID COATING OF IODINE PENTOXIDE.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US377784A US3298182A (en) | 1964-06-24 | 1964-06-24 | Ignition means for monopropellant |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US377784A US3298182A (en) | 1964-06-24 | 1964-06-24 | Ignition means for monopropellant |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3298182A true US3298182A (en) | 1967-01-17 |
Family
ID=23490513
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US377784A Expired - Lifetime US3298182A (en) | 1964-06-24 | 1964-06-24 | Ignition means for monopropellant |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3298182A (en) |
Cited By (21)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3429678A (en) * | 1964-10-30 | 1969-02-25 | United Eng & Constructors Inc | Process and apparatus for manufacturing gas rich in hydrogen and in oxides of carbon |
US3446023A (en) * | 1966-08-05 | 1969-05-27 | United Aircraft Corp | Catalytic attitude-control rocket motor |
US3667219A (en) * | 1967-07-05 | 1972-06-06 | Us Army | Gas generator with liquid initiator |
US3831546A (en) * | 1972-03-24 | 1974-08-27 | Us Navy | Portable swimmer propulsion unit |
US3890102A (en) * | 1971-12-31 | 1975-06-17 | Erno Raumfahrttechnik Gmbh | Catalytic action gas generator |
US3999380A (en) * | 1967-10-23 | 1976-12-28 | Martin Marietta Corporation | Subliming solids gas generator with chemical reaction augmentation |
US4027476A (en) * | 1973-10-15 | 1977-06-07 | Rocket Research Corporation | Composite catalyst bed and method for making the same |
US4162292A (en) * | 1977-10-20 | 1979-07-24 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force | High pressure hydrazine gas generator |
US4620415A (en) * | 1983-09-29 | 1986-11-04 | Rocket Research Company | Method for initiating decomposition of hydrazine fuels |
US5220110A (en) * | 1989-05-09 | 1993-06-15 | Imperial Chemical Industries Plc | Catalysts |
US5440993A (en) * | 1990-12-07 | 1995-08-15 | Osofsky; Irving B. | High velocity impulse rocket |
US20060064963A1 (en) * | 2004-09-29 | 2006-03-30 | Macklin Frank | Hybrid propulsion system |
US20060213181A1 (en) * | 2004-10-28 | 2006-09-28 | Marti Sarigul-Klijn | High propulsion mass fraction hybrid propellant system |
WO2007133501A2 (en) * | 2006-05-09 | 2007-11-22 | Millennium Cell, Inc. | Fixed-bed reactors and catalytic processes |
US20090211226A1 (en) * | 2006-06-29 | 2009-08-27 | Macklin Frank | Hybrid rocket motor with annular, concentric solid fuel elements |
US7966809B2 (en) | 2006-02-01 | 2011-06-28 | Spacedev, Inc. | Single-piece hybrid rocket motor |
US20120269633A1 (en) * | 2011-04-19 | 2012-10-25 | Raytheon Company | Closed gas generator and micro power unit including the same |
US20120297779A1 (en) * | 2011-05-25 | 2012-11-29 | Sienna Technologies, Inc. | Corrosion resistant catalysts for decomposition of liquid monopropellants |
WO2014205029A1 (en) * | 2013-06-18 | 2014-12-24 | Aerojet Rocketdyne, Inc. | Gas generator and reactant that include nitroalcohol |
WO2017003447A1 (en) * | 2015-06-30 | 2017-01-05 | Aerojet Rocketdyne, Inc. | Dual stage catalytic thruster |
US9855548B2 (en) | 2010-11-09 | 2018-01-02 | Sienna Technologies, Inc. | High temperature catalysts for decomposition of liquid monopropellants and methods for producing the same |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2721788A (en) * | 1950-08-25 | 1955-10-25 | Gen Electric | Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide |
US3021667A (en) * | 1953-06-02 | 1962-02-20 | Olin Mathieson | Method for initiating the combustion of hydrazine |
US3101589A (en) * | 1958-11-10 | 1963-08-27 | Thompson Ramo Wooldridge Inc | Method of igniting rocket fuels |
US3120738A (en) * | 1962-03-03 | 1964-02-11 | James E Webb | Ignition system for monopropellant combustion devices |
-
1964
- 1964-06-24 US US377784A patent/US3298182A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2721788A (en) * | 1950-08-25 | 1955-10-25 | Gen Electric | Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide |
US3021667A (en) * | 1953-06-02 | 1962-02-20 | Olin Mathieson | Method for initiating the combustion of hydrazine |
US3101589A (en) * | 1958-11-10 | 1963-08-27 | Thompson Ramo Wooldridge Inc | Method of igniting rocket fuels |
US3120738A (en) * | 1962-03-03 | 1964-02-11 | James E Webb | Ignition system for monopropellant combustion devices |
Cited By (33)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3429678A (en) * | 1964-10-30 | 1969-02-25 | United Eng & Constructors Inc | Process and apparatus for manufacturing gas rich in hydrogen and in oxides of carbon |
US3446023A (en) * | 1966-08-05 | 1969-05-27 | United Aircraft Corp | Catalytic attitude-control rocket motor |
US3667219A (en) * | 1967-07-05 | 1972-06-06 | Us Army | Gas generator with liquid initiator |
US3999380A (en) * | 1967-10-23 | 1976-12-28 | Martin Marietta Corporation | Subliming solids gas generator with chemical reaction augmentation |
US3890102A (en) * | 1971-12-31 | 1975-06-17 | Erno Raumfahrttechnik Gmbh | Catalytic action gas generator |
US3831546A (en) * | 1972-03-24 | 1974-08-27 | Us Navy | Portable swimmer propulsion unit |
US4027476A (en) * | 1973-10-15 | 1977-06-07 | Rocket Research Corporation | Composite catalyst bed and method for making the same |
US4162292A (en) * | 1977-10-20 | 1979-07-24 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force | High pressure hydrazine gas generator |
US4620415A (en) * | 1983-09-29 | 1986-11-04 | Rocket Research Company | Method for initiating decomposition of hydrazine fuels |
US5220110A (en) * | 1989-05-09 | 1993-06-15 | Imperial Chemical Industries Plc | Catalysts |
US5440993A (en) * | 1990-12-07 | 1995-08-15 | Osofsky; Irving B. | High velocity impulse rocket |
US7503165B2 (en) * | 2004-09-29 | 2009-03-17 | Spacedev, Inc. | Hybrid propulsion system |
US8099945B2 (en) | 2004-09-29 | 2012-01-24 | Spacedev, Inc. | Hybrid propulsion system |
US20060064963A1 (en) * | 2004-09-29 | 2006-03-30 | Macklin Frank | Hybrid propulsion system |
US20060213181A1 (en) * | 2004-10-28 | 2006-09-28 | Marti Sarigul-Klijn | High propulsion mass fraction hybrid propellant system |
US7404288B2 (en) * | 2004-10-28 | 2008-07-29 | Spacedev, Inc. | High propulsion mass fraction hybrid propellant system |
US7966809B2 (en) | 2006-02-01 | 2011-06-28 | Spacedev, Inc. | Single-piece hybrid rocket motor |
WO2007133501A3 (en) * | 2006-05-09 | 2008-09-25 | Millennium Cell Inc | Fixed-bed reactors and catalytic processes |
WO2007133501A2 (en) * | 2006-05-09 | 2007-11-22 | Millennium Cell, Inc. | Fixed-bed reactors and catalytic processes |
US20090211226A1 (en) * | 2006-06-29 | 2009-08-27 | Macklin Frank | Hybrid rocket motor with annular, concentric solid fuel elements |
US8539753B2 (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2013-09-24 | Spacedev, Inc. | Hybrid rocket motor with annular, concentric solid fuel elements |
US9855548B2 (en) | 2010-11-09 | 2018-01-02 | Sienna Technologies, Inc. | High temperature catalysts for decomposition of liquid monopropellants and methods for producing the same |
US20120269633A1 (en) * | 2011-04-19 | 2012-10-25 | Raytheon Company | Closed gas generator and micro power unit including the same |
WO2012145063A1 (en) | 2011-04-19 | 2012-10-26 | Raytheon Company | Closed gas generator and micro power unit including the same |
US8636247B2 (en) * | 2011-04-19 | 2014-01-28 | Raytheon Company | Closed gas generator and micro power unit including the same |
EP2699780A1 (en) * | 2011-04-19 | 2014-02-26 | Raytheon Company | Closed gas generator and micro power unit including the same |
EP2699780A4 (en) * | 2011-04-19 | 2014-12-10 | Raytheon Co | Closed gas generator and micro power unit including the same |
US20120297779A1 (en) * | 2011-05-25 | 2012-11-29 | Sienna Technologies, Inc. | Corrosion resistant catalysts for decomposition of liquid monopropellants |
US9149795B2 (en) * | 2011-05-25 | 2015-10-06 | Sienna Technologies, Inc. | Corrosion resistant catalysts for decomposition of liquid monopropellants |
WO2014205029A1 (en) * | 2013-06-18 | 2014-12-24 | Aerojet Rocketdyne, Inc. | Gas generator and reactant that include nitroalcohol |
WO2017003447A1 (en) * | 2015-06-30 | 2017-01-05 | Aerojet Rocketdyne, Inc. | Dual stage catalytic thruster |
JP2018527501A (en) * | 2015-06-30 | 2018-09-20 | エアロジェット ロケットダイン インコーポレイテッド | Two-stage catalyst thruster |
US11236703B2 (en) | 2015-06-30 | 2022-02-01 | Aerojet Rocketdyne, Inc. | Dual stage catalytic thruster |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US3298182A (en) | Ignition means for monopropellant | |
US3732693A (en) | Controllable solid propulsion system | |
Schmidt | Hydrazine and Its Derivatives: Preparation, Properties, Applications, 2 Volume Set | |
US2433932A (en) | Fuel combustion | |
EP2847453B1 (en) | Improved reactor for ammonium dinitramide-based liquid monopropellants, and thruster including the reactor | |
EP2158395B1 (en) | Hydroxy amine based staged combustion hybrid rocket motor | |
US3303651A (en) | Nuclear isotope monopropellant hydrazine engine | |
US3283510A (en) | Throttlable solid propellant rocket motor | |
US3234729A (en) | Hybrid rocket motor process using solid and liquid phases | |
US3730909A (en) | Hydrazine decomposition catalyst | |
EP2847452B1 (en) | Improved reactor for ammonium dinitramide-based liquid mono-propellants, and thruster including the reactor | |
US3826087A (en) | Gas rocket system | |
Evans et al. | Ignition means for monopropellant Patent | |
US3213609A (en) | High energy propellant and process employing hydrazines and nitro compounds | |
US5341639A (en) | Fullerene rocket fuels | |
US5438824A (en) | Silicon as a high energy additive for fuel gels and solid fuel-gas generators for propulsion systems | |
COHEN | Combustion considerations in fuel-rich propellant systems. | |
US3287911A (en) | Hybrid hypergolic rocket propellant systems and method | |
US3326732A (en) | High density metal-containing propellants capable of maximum boost velocity | |
JP2587084B2 (en) | Solid propellant | |
US3698191A (en) | Nonsustaining hybrid propellant grain | |
US3711427A (en) | Catalytic bed coated with metal for gas generator | |
US3365337A (en) | Solid propellant composition of improved ignitability containing copper manganite as catalyst | |
Law | Surface reaction model for metal particle combustion | |
Munjal et al. | Regression rate studies of metalized aniline formaldehyde hybrid fuel |