Rocket Research Company

Olin Corporation

Rocket Research Corporation

Eckart W Schmidt

David F Gavin

Donald R Poole

Charles Wang

James E Mars

This invention relates to a process for the catalytic decomposition of HAN-based monopropellants using a platinum group or transition metal group catalyst that is preferably a supported metal catalyst and/or wire mesh/expanded metal mesh catalyst for the purpose of generating hot gases. These gases are suitably employed for driving a turbine, vane or piston motor, for rocket propulsion or as a convenient and environmentally acceptable means of disposal of surplus propellants or other waste products containing HAN. The HAN-based propellants have low or substantially no volatility and are safer to use than other monopropellants currently used for rocket propulsion or shaft horsepower auxiliary power units.

Catalytic decomposition of hydroxylammonium nitrate-based monopropellants

A method for initiating the decomposition of hydrazine fuels by bringing the fuel into contact with an initiator selected from the group consisting of iodates and periodates of metals from groups IIIB, IVB, VIB, VIIB, VIII, IB, IIB and IVA of the periodic table, ammonium iodate di-iodic acid, and heteropoly acids having iodine as their central atom and their salts.

Method for initiating decomposition of hydrazine fuels

A two component, high temperature, thermally stable explosive composition comprises a liquid or low melting oxidizer and a liquid or low melting organic fuel. The oxidizer and fuel in admixture are incapable of substantial spontaneous exothermic reaction at temperatures on the order of 475.degree. K. At temperatures on the order of 475.degree. K., the oxidizer and fuel in admixture have an activation energy of at least about 40 kcal/mol. As a result of the high activation energy, the preferred explosive compositions are nondetonable as solids at ambient temperature, and become detonable only when heated beyond the melting point. Preferable oxidizers are selected from alkali or alkaline earth metal nitrates, nitrites, perchlorates, and/or mixtures thereof. Preferred fuels are organic compounds having polar hydrophilic groups. The most preferred fuels are guanidinium nitrate, acetamide and mixtures of the two. Most preferred oxidizers are eutectic mixtures of lithium nitrate, potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate, of sodium nitrite, sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate, and of potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate and sodium nitrate.

High temperature two component explosive

A composite catalyst bed comprising a foam metal matrix packed with a plurality of catalyst particles. The foam metal matrix is a three dimensional, structurally rigid network of interconnected ligaments which define a plurality of interconnected pores filled by particles of a suitable catalyst, such as Shell 405. The composite structure is made by first filling the foam metal matrix with the catalyst particles and then compressing the same so that the catalyst particles become packed tightly in the matrix, with some of the catalyst particles being formed into the ligaments of the matrix. The composite catalyst bed is shown in a monopropellant reactor to decompose hydrazine based monopropellants, and also in a catalytic muffler to oxidize exhaust combustion products from an internal combustion engine. The foam metal matrix retains the catalyst particles in place to alleviate attrition of the particles, and also provides good thermal conductivity to improve performance of the catalyst.

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Bellevue, WA, United States of America

Eckart W Schmidt