A Mechanistic Study of Nitromethane Decomposition on Ni Catalysts.
Abstract
Nitromethane is one of several compounds which decomposes exothermically and may be used as a monopropellant in small rocket thrusters and demand gas generators. The use of nitromethane for such uses has not received much attention due to the absence of an appropriate catalyst to facilitate its decomposition. Recently, the decomposition of nitromethane over Ni0 and Cr203 catalysts has been examined to examine the feasibility of a nitro-methane-based monopropellant system. These studies indicated that a Ni0/alumina catalyst was effective in causing nitromethane decomposition. However, relative to existing hydrazine based monopropellant systems the nitromethane-Ni0/alumina system suffered two severe drawbacks; first, it required much higher light-off temperatures than hydrazine based systems, and second, the decomposition reaction poisoned the catalyst with carbon degrading performance with continued use.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA128444
Entities
People
- Jay Benziger
Organizations
- Princeton University