Soluble Nano-Catalysts for High Performance Fuels

Currently there is a strong interest in developing new weapons systems that increase the vehicle's speed and range. Several types of advanced propulsion systems could be considered for this purpose, including high-speed turbines, ramjets, scramjet, and pulse detonation engines (PDE). However, maintaining stable fuel combustion in these high performance engines is a significant challenge. At the highest air velocities, the ignition of the fuel and air mixture must occur within milliseconds. Although increasing the pressure in the combustor inlet reduces ignition delay, the engine cycle is severely penalized. Thus methods to reduce ignition delay are needed. In this Phase I project, TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) proposes to investigate the use of soluble nano-scale combustion catalysts to enhance the ignition characteristics of jet fuel in difficult combustion environments. The presence of a catalyst will allow the combustion reaction and accompanying heat release to begin at a lower temperature, effectively reducing the auto ignition time. We will prepare the nano-scale catalysts, characterize the size of the particles after they are combined with the fuel, and finally measure the effect they have on the rate of combustion. Success in this research could greatly improve the performance of high-speed engines.