Rocket propulsion fuel

Aluminium particles are made with diameters in the range of 20 to 200 nm, with a protective shell of aluminium oxide about 4 nm thick and, mixed with a suitable oxidising agent, are used for rocket propulsion fuels. 

Composite proplnts, which are used almost entirely in rocket propulsion, normally contain a solid phase oxidizer combined with a polymeric fuel binder with a -CH2—CH2— structure. Practically speaking AP is the only oxidizer which has achieved high volume production, although ammonium nitrate (AN) has limited special uses such as in gas generators. Other oxidizers which have been studied more or less as curiosities include hydrazinium nitrate, nitronium perchlorate, lithium perchlorate, lithium nitrate, potassium perchlorate and others. Among binders, the most used are polyurethanes, polybutadiene/acrylonitrile/acrylic acid terpolymers and hydroxy-terminated polybutadienes... 

Many of these substances have been investigated in the context of rocket propulsion technology, since, chemically, the combustion of rocket fuels is related to the combustion of incendiary agents. Though by-products of rocket research may be theoretically of interest as potential incendiary agents, it remains to be seen whether they are feasible economically (Ref 7.n 103)... 

The design of propellants for solid fuel rockets differs considerably from that for ordnance, because of the lower operating pressures, usually below 15 MPa. To understand the principles involved it is first necessary to give a brief account of rocket propulsion. In this account considerations will be restricted to motors based on solid propellants. Motors based on liquid fuels, such as petroleum fractions and liquid oxygen, depend on combustion processes of non-explosive type. 

Table 19.3 Missiles with Solid-fuel Rocket Propulsion... 

Corner, J., Theory of the Interior Ballistics of Guns. Chapman Hall, London, 1950. Daboo, J. E., Solid-fuel Rocket Propulsion. Temple Press, London, 1962. 

All of the theoretically possible high-energy (and potentially hazardous) oxidant-fuel systems have been considered for use, and many have been evaluated, in rocket propulsion systems (with apparently the sole exception of the most potent combination, liquid ozone-liquid acetylene). Some of the materials which have been examined are listed below, and it is apparent that any preparative reactions deliberately involving oxidant-fuel pairs must be conducted under controlled conditions with appropriate precautions to limit the rate of energy release. 

Blends of perchloryl fluoride with halogen fluorides are homogeneous and stable. When these are used as storable liquid oxidizers for rocket propulsion, the halogen fluoride usually confers hypergolicity, increased density, and lowered vapor pressure whereas the perchloryl fluoride provides oxygen needed for efficient combustion of carbon in the fuel or of certain metal additives. The mixtures are thermally stable and their... 

The use of N2H4 as a hypergolic propellant fuel for rocket propulsion is discussed in detail in this Vol under Hypergolic Propellants. It has also been used extensively as a monopropellant fuel or in combination with hydrazine nitrate and/or water as a thruster for maneuvering space vehicles (Ref 31)... 

RP-1 A hydrocarbon fuel blend (kerosene cut) developed for rocket propulsion applications... 

The Germans used hydrogen peroxide of 80-85% concentration, alone or in mixtures with combustibles, as a fuel for the big V2 rockets during World War II. The utilization of hydrogen peroxide for rocket propulsion and the explosive properties of hydrogen peroxide and its mixtures will be discussed in later sections (pp. 299, 307). 

Another rapidly developing branch of applied science is theory and practice of rocket propulsion. Only general information on composition of rocket propellants is given in the book. This is justified, as several special books on rocket fuel are now available. 

Due both to its simplicity and to its practical importance, hydrogen has attracted extensive research as a fuel. Hydrogen is an important fuel in rocket propulsion, and may in the future, due to the increasing concern with CO2 emissions, replace hydrocarbon fuels in some energy conversion processes. Furthermore the hydrogen/oxygen subset is important in the oxidation of all hydrocarbons. 

See in Vol 1, A264-R to A265-R under Aminotoluenes and Derivatives and the following AddnlRefs and Derivatives. The use of p-tolui-dine as a solid hybrid rocket fuel is reported in the literature 1) R.H. Schmucker, Theoretical and Experimental Contributions to Hybrid Rocket Propulsion , Raumfahrtforschung 1970,... 

Today, the United States is using some 9 billion cubic feet of H2 a day in the petrochemical, food, and rocket propulsion industries. Around 98% of the bulk H2 is produced by steam reformation of natural gas (e.g., methane). Methane is reacted with water vapor over a catalyst to form carbon monoxide (CO) and H2. H2 can also be made from ethanol (alcohol), biomass, fossil fuels, or organic waste by the process of "reforming." Most of the currently operating H2 production plants depend on reforming natural gas. This is a process that emits C02 while consuming a nonrenewable fossil... 

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