Development of a Low-Cost Catalyst for Hydrazine.
Abstract
A new series of hydrazine decomposition catalysts have been developed which utilize a novel approach to achieve high performance in monopropellant engine operation. These catalysts have been extensively tested in a 5 lb. thruster and isothermal reactor. One of them was evaluated by Air Force personnel in a 25 lb. thrust engine. All catalysts gave an initial cold start (25 C) ignition delay of less than 5 msecs and all showed excellent mechanical strength and resistance to attrition during pulse mode engine firing. Preliminary ignition tests at 5 C showed that ignition could be affected at this temperature within 50 msecs. A test of a typical catalyst in an Air Force 25 lb. flight type thruster was extremely encouraging. No steady-state performance degradation in engine chamber pressure was observed during 350 secs of hydrazine fuel burn using 2000 pulses of fuel injection. The only adverse effects observed in the Air Force 25 lb. thruster tests were a large ignition pressure spike at 30 F and a higher steady state engine chamber temperature. These effects should be alleviated by the use of a layer of granular catalyst at the inlet portion of the bed. Further tests are planned using a bed composed of granular and pellet catalyst.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0505031
Entities
People
- Martin Lieberman
- William F. Taylor