Gasification Characterization of Ionic Liquids as Propellants
Abstract
The objective of the program was to understand and quantify the gasification and oxidation characteristics of droplets of ionic liquids (ILs) in environments of various temperatures and oxygen concentrations. Using 1-ethyl-3- methylimidazolium dicyanamide as a surrogate IL, extensive experiments were performed on suspended and freely falling droplets, and on relating the droplet combustion behavior to the evolution of its internal temperature. Results show that, because of the extreme low volatility of the IL, surface gasification is minimal while internal heating of the droplet is the dominant mode of heat transfer. Furthermore, substantial liquid-phase pyrolytic reaction is nitiated when the droplet is heated to 400 deg C. This state of heating and pyrolysis continues, leading to the formation of a solid mass. The presence of gas-phase reaction leads to self-sustained combustion of this mass in a high-oxygen environment until complete burnout, while the combustion cannot be self sustained in a low-oxygen environment. The formation of the solid mass and its slow rate of gasification are believed to be a major problem with the utilization of ionic liquids as propellants.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 25, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA482567
Entities
People
- Chung K. Law
Organizations
- Princeton University