Spray Ignition Studies on a Green Hypergolic Hybrid Rocket Propellant

Syamantak Nath, Lovely Mallick, Joseph K. Lefkowitz

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

Abstract

The paper describes design and validation of a test platform for ignition experiments on hypergolic propellants in a spray-test configuration. This forms part of an ongoing effort to characterize ignition of a promising non-toxic hypergolic hybrid rocket propellant. The propellant to be characterized consists of rocket grade hydrogen peroxide (RGHP) as the oxidizer, high-density polyethyelene (HDPE) as fuel and NaBH4 as the energetic additive embedded in the HDPE fuel matrix. The aim of the project is to ignite the HDPE + NaBH4 samples in a spray of RGHP to emulate a real rocket motor oxidizer feed system. To that end, a combustion chamber was designed around which RGHP flow and pumping system was constructed. The system was automated to allow for remote operation. Finally, a 25% NaBH4 weight-loaded sample was ignited under a spray of RGHP to validate the system. The ignition event was recorded using a high-speed camera. Ignition delay was determined and the growth of the ignition kernel was studied. With the spray-test platform validated, the setup is ready for further tests, with future direction of the work guided by the preliminary results obtained so far.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition, 2023
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023
EventAIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition, 2023 - Orlando, United States
Duration: 23 Jan 202327 Jan 2023

Publication series

NameAIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition, 2023

Conference

ConferenceAIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition, 2023
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando
Period23/01/2327/01/23

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aerospace Engineering

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