High Temperature Catalyst for Nontoxic Monopropellants

The Phase I work demonstrated that a family of ceramic oxides and oxynitrides can be used either as high temperature catalyst carriers or catalysts for decomposition of HAN fuels. A ceramic processing technique to produce high surface area catalystgranules was also demonstrated. However, no performance and process optimizations were performed. The work initiated in Phase I will be continued to develop and test ceramic based catalystcarriers and catalysts that are capable of initiating the decomposition of HEHN or HAN-based monopropellants, and sustaining steady-state runs for several hours. One or two candidates in each of catalyst carrier and unpromoted catalyst categories will bedefined. Their performances in a small rocket engine will be demonstrated using the propellants specified by AFRL.