Experimental investigation of combustion performance of a green hypergolic bipropellant based on hydrogen peroxide

The present study examines the advancements of a promising low-toxicity hypergolic propellant combination called HIP_11 for in-space applications, developed as alternative to common hypergolic toxic propellants. The fuel is based on an ionic liquid, storable, stable and simple to handle at ambient c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta astronautica 2024-06, Vol.219, p.278-290
Main Authors: Sarritzu, Alberto, Pasini, Angelo, Merz, Florian, Werling, Lukas, Lauck, Felix
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Characteristic length
Combustion stability
Energetic ionic liquid
Frequency analysis
Green propulsion
Hot firing experiments
Hydrogen peroxide
Hypergolic propellants
Injectors
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Summary:The present study examines the advancements of a promising low-toxicity hypergolic propellant combination called HIP_11 for in-space applications, developed as alternative to common hypergolic toxic propellants. The fuel is based on an ionic liquid, storable, stable and simple to handle at ambient conditions, developed at the Institute of Space Propulsion, German Aerospace Centre (DLR). The compound shows hypergolicity behaviour when in contact with Hydrogen Peroxide and is a promising substitution to conventional hypergolic propellants. The present work describes the advancements in the development of HIP_11 through a dedicated experimental investigation of various components, analysing and investigating the performances. The experiments are based on a small modulable thruster that allowed to study the efficiency and stability of combustion of the propellant combination while varying various design parameters of the thruster. Specifically, the effects of different injector designs, as well as variations in combustion chamber shape, characteristic length, and operating pressure have been thoroughly examined and analysed. •Experimental testing of a novel green hypergolic propellant for in-space propulsion.•Investigation of multiple design alternatives for critical components.•Analysis of multiple injector and combustion chamber designs in hot-firing tests.•Evaluation of combustion performance in terms of combustion efficiency and stability.•Enhanced combustion stability noted for short and slender combustion chambers with impinging injectors.
ISSN:0094-5765
DOI:10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.03.030