Advanced Monopropellant Catalysts

The use of reduced-toxicity monopropellants such as dimethylaminoethyl azide (CINCH) or those based on energetic liquid salts such as hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN) promises a number of improvements over conventional hydrazine propellant. Chief amongthese is improved safety, which will significantly decrease overall use costs. However, both types of reduced-toxicity monopropellants are difficult to ignite. While this is an asset with respect to safety, it is a liability with respect to design. Inthis project, Ultramet will use its extensive experience with catalysts, catalyst supports, and catalytic ignition to develop a low temperature, long-life catalyst for the decomposition of CINCH fuel. This novel catalytic ignition system will be based onthe advanced monolithic catalyst (AMCAT) beds previously developed by Ultramet for HAN-, hydrazine-, oxygen/ethanol, and oxygen/hydrogen-fueled rocket engines.The proposed technology will make the use of advanced, environmentally friendly monopropellants areality. This will not only eliminate the use of toxic propellants such as hydrazine in spacecraft, but it will also allow for the use of reduced-toxicity propellants in gas generators on military aircraft and fuel pressurization systems for tacticalmissiles.