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Hydrocarbon-seeded ignition system for small spacecraft thrusters using ionic liquid propellants
| Content Provider | NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) |
|---|---|
| Author | Taylor, Terry L. Eilers, Shannon D. Whitmore, Stephen A. Merkley, Daniel P. |
| Copyright Year | 2013 |
| Description | "Green" propellants based on Ionic-liquids (ILs) like Ammonium DiNitramide and Hydroxyl Ammonium Nitrate have recently been developed as reduced-hazard replacements for hydrazine. Compared to hydrazine, ILs offer up to a 50% improvement in available density-specific impulse. These materials present minimal vapor hazard at room temperature, and this property makes IL's potentially advantageous for "ride-share" launch opportunities where hazards introduced by hydrazine servicing are cost-prohibitive. Even though ILs present a reduced hazard compared to hydrazine, in crystalline form they are potentially explosive and are mixed in aqueous solutions to buffer against explosion. Unfortunately, the high water content makes IL-propellants difficult to ignite and currently a reliable "coldstart" capability does not exist. For reliable ignition, IL-propellants catalyst beds must be pre-heated to greater than 350 C before firing. The required preheat power source is substantial and presents a significant disadvantage for SmallSats where power budgets are extremely limited. Design and development of a "micro-hybrid" igniter designed to act as a "drop-in" replacement for existing IL catalyst beds is presented. The design requires significantly lower input energy and offers a smaller overall form factor. Unlike single-use "squib" pyrotechnic igniters, the system allows the gas generation cycle to be terminated and reinitiated on demand. |
| File Size | 5116721 |
| Page Count | 20 |
| File Format | |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://archive.org/details/NASA_NTRS_Archive_20140002966 |
| Archival Resource Key | ark:/13960/t8kd6wn8t |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 2013-08-10 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Propellants And Fuels Spacecraft Propulsion And Power Pyrotechnics Hydrazines Igniters Ammonium Nitrates Moisture Content Liquid Rocket Propellants Hydrocarbons Specific Impulse Ignition Systems Ntrs Nasa Technical Reports Server (ntrs) Nasa Technical Reports Server Aerodynamics Aircraft Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Aeronautic Space Science |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
