GELLED PROPELLANT SAFETY INVESTIGATION,
Abstract
N2O4 and UDMH gelled propellant tankage rupture tests were conducted to determine safety and hand hazards aspects of gelled propellants. Intermixing of gelled N2O4 and UDMH results in the following: A large fire will occur if large surface areas of gelled fuel and oxidizer come in contact. It will be similar to one that occurs when the two hypergolic propellants are mixed in their liquid state. A small controllable fire will occur when relatively small surface areas of the gel come in contact. A spill of gelled propellant will remain confined in a much smaller area than that of an equivalent amount of liquid propellant. Increased safety is pro vided by gels when small leaks occur at fittings or welds since gels will not flow from the leak as liquid will. Gelling does not alter a liquid propellant with respect to toxicity, vapor pres sure or reactivity and all safety procedures which apply to liquid propellants should be observed when handling gelled propellants. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0418275
Entities
People
- Jack G. Mccroskey