Characterization of Reduced Toxicity, High Performance Monopropellants at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory

摘要

Current U.S. Air Force programs are aiming to develop reduced toxicity monopropellant formulations to replace spacecraft hydrazine monopropellant and exceed the monopropellant performance objective (> 50% increase in density impulse) specified by the Integrated High Payoff Rocket Propulsion Technology (IHPRPT) Program. The creation of such monopropellants can offer considerable cost savings associated with the handling and loading of propellants, longer spacecraft service life, smaller vehicle design, or heavier payloads.rnThe Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) approach to replacing hydrazine is the development of energetic liquid salt mixtures with substantially less vapor toxicity and superior performance (specific impulse and density). These liquid salt mixtures show promise as one avenue toward replacement of hydrazine monopropellant. During the last year, work has centered on the production and characterization of a few of these reduced toxicity monopropellant formulations. Limited safety and sensitivity, thermal stability, rheology and toxicity studies have been conducted. Also, thruster testing of selected propellants has been performed. The results of these efforts will be presented.