USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Other

Kerry L Wagaman

Steven L Collignon

Larry D Henderson

Chester F Clark

Robert E Farncomb

Kurt F Mueller

Joel P Fields

Douglas J Elstrodt

Christopher J Fawls

William Steven Jones

Kenneth K Kuo

Michael L Hudson

W Steven Jones

Timothy J Dunn

Christopher C Wilmot

A gas generating process, which is for the continuous production of energy and hydrogen for rocket and other propulsion and is also for the continuous production of hydrogen, utilizes the reaction of metallic materials, particularly aluminum, with organic materials, particularly hydrocarbons provided as jet fuel, and with water or an oxidizer which is predominantly water. In comparison with related reactions, the reaction produces hot gases containing more hydrogen and the products have a lower temperature for the same specific impulse. The process incorporates organic liquids with metallic powders to produce desirable, lower molecular weight exhaust gas products; and the increased hydrogen is desirable for use with a fuel cell and in connection with propulsion of a super-cavitating underwater device. The process is advantageous in that a metal, in powdered form, and a hydrocarbon liquid may be provided together as a slurry or gel for effective metering. The metallic material may also be provided with the organic material in the form of a binder as used in solid propellants, and the organic material and water may be provided together in the form of a water containing liquid monopropellant. The hydrogen containing product gases from the reaction may be further reacted with suitable oxidizers for production of additional energy or steam. The reaction is particularly useful for underwater vehicles where ambient water is available and the reaction products may be used for propulsion.

Gas generating process for propulsion and hydrogen production

A non-/low-toxic, non-hypergolic, propellant formulation generally comprising metal nanoparticles, such as boron, aluminum, or carbon, and one or more fluoro-polymers mixed in in particulate form. The present invention takes advantage of the increased surface area provided by nano-sized metallic particles to enhance the metal's combustion efficiency, or ignitability. The inclusion of fluoro-polymers also aids in increasing the combustion efficiency of the metallic nanoparticles due to the presence of halogenic oxidizers. The thermal degradation of a halogenated fluoro-polymer additive in the propellant combustion zone serves to release halogens, thereby improving the combustion of the metallic nanoparticles and increasing the propulsion system's energy output. The present invention's formulation is safe to store and handle, environmentally-friendly, and may be economically manufactured to provide for widespread, cost-effective use.

Propellants and explosives with flouro-organic additives to improve energy release efficiency

The present invention is a propellant composition comprising from about 2 percent to about 46 percent, by weight, boron particles having a diameter of less than about 500 nanometers. Liquid or gel embodiments of the invention may also include adding the boron particles to a liquid fuel in order to form a liquid fuel system. Examples of such liquid fuels include ethyl ammonium nitrate (EAN), triethyl amine nitrate (TEAN), Cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX), trinitrotoluene (TNT), jet fuel formula (JP-10), kerosene, RJ-4, or other hydrocarbon based fuels. These liquid fuel systems can be part of bipropellants wherein the liquid fuel system is stored separately from an oxidizing agent and the two are mixed during operation. Examples of oxidizing agents may include nitrogen tetroxide, oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl ammonium perchlorate (HAP), hydoxyl ammonium nitrate (HAN), ammonium perchlorate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium dinitramide (ADN), or a combination of said chemicals. One specific preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a fuel comprising approximately 61.60 percent by weight EAN, approximately 23 percent by weight boron particles having a diameter of less than about 500 nanometers, approximately 3.85 percent by weight ammonium nitrate, and approximately 11.55 percent by weight water coupled with an oxidizing agent comprising approximately 38 percent by weight hydrogen peroxide, approximately 46 percent by weight ammonium nitrate, and approximately 16 percent by weight water. The present invention also comprises a monopropellant formed by adding the nano-sized boron particles to a fuel containing oxygen. Another embodiment of the invention is a solid propellant wherein the nano-sized boron particles are used as a metal fuel component or as a portion of a metal fuel component and are mixed with an oxidizing agent and bound with a binder.

Propellant composition comprising nano-sized boron particles

A family of water-based gas-generating liquid compositions is described. A composition of the present invention includes: hydrogen peroxide; hydrazinium mononitrate; and water. Compositions of the present invention may be mixed with fuels to make monopropellants or used in bipropellant or hybrid systems. Alternative uses of the present invention include breathable gas generation.

Gas-generating liquid compositions (PERSOL 2)

A family of water-based, gas-generating liquid compositions is described. A composition of the present invention includes: hydrogen peroxide, hydroxylammonium nitrate, and water. Compositions of the present invention may be mixed with fuels to make monopropellants or used in bipropellant or hybrid systems. Alternate uses of the present invention include breathable gas generation or use as an oxygen source in welding.

Gas-generating liquid compositions (Perhan)

A family of water-based gas-generating liquid compositions is described. A composition of the present invention includes: a first compound which may be hydrazinium mononitrate or methylhydrazinium mononitrate; ammonium nitrate; and water. Compositions of the present invention may be mixed with fuels to make monopropellants or used in bipropellant or hybrid systems. Alternative uses of the present invention include breathable gas generation.

Gas-generating liquid compositions (OXSOL 3)

The present invention comprises a process of producing HAN by slowly adding nitric acid to an alcoholic solution of hydroxylamine. This forms a precipitate of solid HAN. However, if more nitric acid is added, the precipitate dissolves before the stoichiometric amount of acid has been added. Therefore, sufficient nitric acid is added to form a maximum amount of solid HAN precipitate. The solid HAN is then isolated by conventional means such as filtration or centrifugation, possibly preceded by chilling this solution. The excess alcoholic solution of unreacted hydroxylamine may be recycled and used as starting material in the process.

Method of preparing solid hydroxylamine nitrate

A family of water-based gas-generating liquid compositions is described. A composition of the present invention includes: hydrogen peroxide; ammonium nitrate; and water. Compositions of the present invention may be mixed with fuels to make monopropellants or used in bipropellant or hybrid systems. Alternative uses of the present invention include breathable gas generation.

Gas-generating liquid compositions (persol 1)

Gas-generating liquid compositions (PERSOL 1)

Liquid monopropellant

A liquid oxidizer for propellants or explosives comprising nitric acid (Hsub.3), ammonium nitrate (NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3), and water.

Liquid propellant

A process for producing high bulk density spheroidal nitroguanidine by fong a solution of from 2 to 9 weight percent of nitroguanidine, 0.5 to 2.0 weight percent of methylcellulose, and 0.5 to 2.0 weight percent of partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl alcohol) in water at a temperature of from 50.degree. C. to 100.degree. C., and then cooling the solution at a rate of from I to 20.degree. C./minute until the solution temperature is less than 40.degree. C.

Method of producing high bulk density spheroidal nitroguanidine

Liquid oxidizer comprising an aqueous solution of hydroxyl ammonium nitrate nd a nitrate salt that is ammonium nitrate or hydrazine mononitrate.

Oxidizing agent

A continuous process for forming spheroidal high bulk density nitroguanid crystals from an aqueous solution of nitroguanidine which contains methylcellulose and partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl alcohol) as crystal habit modifiers. A saturated aqueous solution of nitroguanidine is formed at a temperature T.sub.1 where 70.degree. C..ltoreq.T.sub.1 .ltoreq.100.degree. C. and crystallization occurs at a lower temperature T.sub.2 where 20.degree. C..ltoreq.T.sub.1 -T.sub.2 .ltoreq.50.degree. C.

Continuous process for crystallizing nitroguanidine

A process for preparing triaminoguanidine nitrate from relatively impure -99 percent)/commercial guanidine nitrate and commercial grade aqueous hydrazine (50-64 weight percent) in alcohol by: (1) adding enough hydrazine to form monoaminoguanidine nitrate, diaminoguanidine nitrate, or mixtures thereof, (2) physically removing the alcohol insoluble, solid impurities from the solution, (3) adding the remainder of the hydrazine needed to form triaminoguanidine nitrate, (4) adding nitric acid to adjust the pH to from 4.5 to 5.5, and (6) isolating the product triaminoguanidine nitrate.

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Bryantown, MD, United States of America

Kerry L Wagaman