Hypergolic Gelled Propellant Reaction Model

ORBITEC and ITT/Aerotherm propose to develop an advanced model to describe the chemical reactions and ignition delay of hypergolic gelled propellants. The model consists of two primary modules: a recently developed fluid dynamic spray model, and a new chemistry module that considers the reaction kinetics of various gels. Phase I will include identification of important model parameters, conceptual model development, comparison of the model results to empirical data for MMH/IRFNA and DMAZ/IRFNA, and plans for model refinement in Phase II. Sprays of water-based gel simulates will be characterized using particle/droplet image analysis in Phase I to help validate the fluid dynamic module. The Phase I chemistry module will be developed by compiling reaction rate constants and equations for various hypergolic gelled propellants. The Phase I fluid dynamic module will consider droplet size and trajectory, surface tension, and droplet vaporization characteristics. Phase II will involve detailed model development, molecular modeling for the chemistry module, and empirical validation using hypergolic drop-on-drop testing and hot-fire testing in a liquid rocket engine.