Gaseous, Liquid and Gelled Propellant Hypergolic Reaction Mechanisms

This proposed STTR Phase I program addresses elucidation of the underlying physics and chemistry associated with ignition delay in hypergolic propulsion systems. More specifically it addresses if the differences observed in ignition delay for liquid and gelled hypergolic propulsion systems are due to mainly physical and/or chemical effects. Proposed mechanisms will be developed for the gas/gas, liquid/liquid and gel/gel hypergolic reactions of mono-methyl hydrazine (MMH) and inhibited red fuming nitric acid (IRFNA) based on literature search, previous research, thermo-chemistry predictions, and engine test results. Reaction mechanisms will include both physical and chemical effects so as to enable prediction of changing ignition delays for the different hypergolic systems being considered. Following mechanism compilation, a set of test methods and apparatus will be devised that provides the best way forward in validating/invalidating the proposed mechanisms.