Novel Catalysts for HAN/HEHN Based Monopropellants

The Phase I work completed under Contract NAS3-02025 demonstrated that a family of ceramic oxides can successfully be used either as high temperature catalyst carriers or catalysts for decomposition of HAN/MeOH fuels. A ceramic processing technique to produce high surface area spherical catalyst granules was also demonstrated. However, no performance and process optimizations were performed. The work initiated in Phase I will be continued under Phase II to develop and test ceramic based catalyst carriers and catalysts that are capable of initiating the decomposition of 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 be defined. Their performances in a small rocket engine will be demonstrated using the propellant(s) specified by NASA.