Hypergolic Ignition of Lithium–Aluminum–Hydride-Doped Paraffin Wax and Nitric Acid

Analytical reagent (AR)-grade nitric acid (69.3% by mass) and lithium–aluminum–hydride (LAH) as an additive to paraffin wax are evaluated as green propellant substitutes for state-of-the-art propellants currently used for in-space propulsion. The viabilities of hypergolic ignition and ignition delay...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of propulsion and power 2020-05, Vol.36 (3), p.435-445
Main Authors: Stober, Keith Javier, Cantwell, Brian J, Otaibi, Raja A. L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acids
Aluminum
Hydrides
Ignition
Lithium
Nitric acid
Paraffin wax
Propulsion systems
Reagents
Test chambers
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Summary:Analytical reagent (AR)-grade nitric acid (69.3% by mass) and lithium–aluminum–hydride (LAH) as an additive to paraffin wax are evaluated as green propellant substitutes for state-of-the-art propellants currently used for in-space propulsion. The viabilities of hypergolic ignition and ignition delay (ID) times were measured for a range of conditions, including LAH loading in paraffin and ignition test chamber pressure. A strong inverse trend between ID and pressure was observed for the reaction of AR-grade nitric acid and pure LAH. A minimum of 50% mass loading of LAH in paraffin wax was required for reliable hypergolic ignition with AR-grade nitric acid at atmospheric pressure under a pure nitrogen environment.
ISSN:1533-3876
0748-4658
1533-3876
DOI:10.2514/1.B37425