Ionic Liquid Monopropellant Based Gas Generator

Energetic ionic liquids (EIL) represent a new, and potentially revolutionary development in propulsion chemistry. These salts, with unique attributes of surface tension, vapor pressure, thermal stability, and reactivity are leading candidates for low-toxicity, reduced hazard replacements of conventional (hydrazine based) monopropellants. C3 Propulsion, in collaboration with the Center for Green Manufacturing of the University of Alabama propose to design, develop, and demonstrate the feasibility of an on-demand gas generator based on ionic liquid monopropellant that supplies pressures up to 3500psi and is suitable for use with pressurizing liquid and gelled fuel and oxidizer tanks. In Phase I, we will identify and evaluate ionic liquid monopropellants and ignition systems, conduct hazard and toxicity evaluations, and demonstrate experimentally the rapid, controlled ignition of a prototype GG system. In Phase II, the effort will be to design, construct, and evaluate an on-demand ionic liquid monopropellant based gas-generator to pressurize fuel and/or oxidizer tanks at various pressures, and deliver a complete system to the Army for evaluation testing. C3 Propulsion involves its technology transition partners in the early phase of the project to maximize Phase III potential. Moreover, to drive our technology transition, we work with SBIR technology brokerage services to help align small business innovation with industry technology gaps.