NDLI: An analysis of bipropellant neutralization for spacecraft refueling operations

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An analysis of bipropellant neutralization for spacecraft refueling operations

Content Provider	NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Author	Kauffman, David
Copyright Year	1987
Description	Refueling of satellites on orbit with storable propellants will involve venting part or all of the pressurant gas from the propellant tanks. This gas will be saturated with propellant vapor, and it may also have significant amounts of entrained fine droplets of propellant. The two most commonly used bipropellants, monomethyl hydrazine (MMH) and nitrogen tetroxide (N2O4), are highly reactive and toxic. Various possible ways of neutralizing the vented propellants are examined. The amount of propellant vented in a typical refueling operation is shown to be in the range of 0.2 to 5% of the tank capacity. Four potential neutralization schemes are examined: chemical decomposition, chemical reaction, condensation and adsorption. Chemical decomposition to essentially inert materials is thermodynamically feasible for both MMH and N2O4. It would be the simplest and easiest neutralization method to implement. Chemical decomposition would require more complex control. Condensation would require a refrigeration system and a very efficent phase separator. Adsorption is likely to be much heavier. A preliminary assessment of the four neutralization shemes is presented, along with suggested research and development plans.
File Size	543970
Page Count	14
File Format	PDF
Alternate Webpage(s)	http://archive.org/details/NASA_NTRS_Archive_19870016455
Archival Resource Key	ark:/13960/t7tn23w2b
Language	English
Publisher Date	1987-06-01
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Propellants And Fuels Chemisorption Neutralizers Liquid Rocket Propellants Condensing Venting Chemical Reactions Air To Air Refueling Methylhydrazine Decomposition Orbital Servicing Nitrogen Tetroxide Propellant Transfer Ntrs Nasa Technical Reports Server (ntrs) Nasa Technical Reports Server Aerodynamics Aircraft Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Aeronautic Space Science
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Technical Report

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