Evaluation of hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN) decomposition using bifunctional catalyst for thruster application

Agnihotri, Ruchika; Oommen, Charlie

doi:10.1016/j.mcat.2020.110851

Cited by 7 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Catalysts consisting of iridium combined with metal oxides have been extensively investigated, including Ir–CuO, 1 , 10 Ir–Al 2 O 3 , 11 and Ir–CeCo. 12 , 13 Catalysts based on different noble metals have also been tested. For example, Courtheoux et al 14 − 16 used the Pt–Si–Al 2 O 3 catalyst and found out that the Pt nanoparticles play a main catalytic role in the decomposition process.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Esparza et al applied the iridium/rhodium foam particles as catalysts and was able to reduce the initial decomposition temperature of a HAN solution by 60 K. It was concluded that the catalytic effect increases the pre-exponential factor in the reaction mechanism rather than reduces the activation energy. Catalysts consisting of iridium combined with metal oxides have been extensively investigated, including Ir–CuO, , Ir–Al 2 O 3 , and Ir–CeCo. , Catalysts based on different noble metals have also been tested. For example, Courtheoux et al − used the Pt–Si–Al 2 O 3 catalyst and found out that the Pt nanoparticles play a main catalytic role in the decomposition process.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Experimental Studies on Parametric Effects and Reaction Mechanisms in Electrolytic Decomposition and Ignition of HAN Solutions

et al. 2022

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The green propellant hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN) is a good alternative to the conventional propellants in space propulsion applications because of its low toxicity and high energy density. Electrolytic decomposition and ignition of HAN solution, an ionic liquid, is a promising approach. In this work, comprehensive experimental studies were conducted to examine effects of different electrolytic voltages, electrode surface areas, and HAN concentrations on the decomposition process. In the test cases, an optimum electrolytic voltage appears to exist, which leads to the fastest decomposition process. As the voltage increases, a larger electrode surface area on the anode side should be used to overcome an anodic inhibition phenomenon and accelerate the electrolytic process. A high concentration of HAN solution is preferred for its decomposition and ignition. Results also reveal that the electrolytic process of a HAN solution could eventually trigger thermal decomposition reactions, raising the maximum temperature to around 550 K at the final stage. A detailed chemical reaction mechanism was proposed, based on the experimental data and FTIR spectra analyses. Results obtained herein would provide fundamental understandings on the complex electrochemical and physical processes and should be helpful for future applications of the electrolytic decomposition and ignition technology.

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