Chemical Thermal Propulsion CTP

A further special area of propulsion systems is Chemical Thermal Propulsion (CTP). CTP is defined in contrast to STP (solar thermal propulsion) and NTP (nuclear thermal propulsion). In CTP, in a very exothermie ehemical reaction in a closed system, heat but no pressure is generated since the products of the reaction are solid or liquid. The heat energy is then transferred to a liquid medium (the propellant) using a heat exchanger, which is responsible for the propulsion of for example, the torpedo. Suitable propellants are e.g. water (the torpedo can suck it in directly from its surroundsings) or H2 or He, due to their very low molecular or atomic masses. The basic principles of CTP can also be used in special heat generators. A good example for a chemical reaction which is suitable for CTP is the reaction of (non-toxic) SFg (sulfur hexafluoride) with easily liquified lithium (m.p. 180 C)  

In comparison to this, the reaction of MMH with NTO generates only 6515 kJ per kilogramm of a stoichiometric mixture. Table 2.8 clearly shows the influence of the 

Further chemical reactions which are principally suitable for CTP are outlined in the following equations  

It is obvious that the Li/SFe system (although it is energetically lower than others) is preferred over other systems because it is easy to handle and has low health and environmental hazards in comparison to other mixtures involving different oxidizers. 

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For which type of rocket/missile propulsion could chemical thermal propulsion (CTP) be very valuable ... 

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