Ignition Study of a Metal-hydride Based Non-Toxic Hypergolic Hybrid Rocket Propellant

Syamantak Nath, Iker Laso, Joseph K. Lefkowitz

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The ignition characterization of a non-toxic, hypergolic, hybrid rocket propellant combination is described in this paper. The metal-hydride based propellant consists of rocket grade hydrogen peroxide (RGHP) as oxidizer, high density polyethylene (HDPE) as fuel and sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as the hypergolic additive, embedded in the HDPE fuel matrix. Using a drop-test setup, ignition delay was measured as a function of RGHP concentration in water, NaBH4 additive weight loading in the HDPE matrix, drop impact velocity, droplet diameter and diluent gas. Ignition delays as low as 3 ms were obtained, comparable to the performance of state-of-the-art liquid bipropellants. Most ignition delay values were lower than 10 ms. All the parameters, encompassing thermo-physical, fluid dynamic and environmental factors, influenced ignition delay with drop impact velocity being a significant parameter. The encouraging results imply that this combination is promising as a high-performance, yet cheap and non-toxic propellant for hybrid rocket applications. Further, the results also show a need to include droplet dynamics in the study of hypergolic propellants.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAIAA SciTech Forum 2022
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022
EventAIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition, AIAA SciTech Forum 2022 - San Diego, United States
Duration: 3 Jan 20227 Jan 2022

Publication series

NameAIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition, AIAA SciTech Forum 2022

Conference

ConferenceAIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition, AIAA SciTech Forum 2022
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego
Period3/01/227/01/22

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aerospace Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Ignition Study of a Metal-hydride Based Non-Toxic Hypergolic Hybrid Rocket Propellant'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this