Development of Fuels for High-Power-Density Miniature PDE Divert Systems for MKV Applications

"This SBIR Phase I proposal is aimed at developing efficient, storable, and safeliquid fuel systems for miniature Pulsed Detonation Engines (PDEs) that will beused as divert engines for Miniature Kinetic Kill Vehicles (MKVs). The PDE is avery-small-scale propulsion system, with no moving parts in the power productionsection and producing higher specific impulse than conventional rockets becauseof its constant-volume, nonsteady operating cycle. Our approach is based on anovel design totally integrated with the MKV structure, which allows a fullycontrolled vector thrust capability. A prototype system has been built, bench-tested, and operated at detonation frequencies up to 250 Hz. The outstandingobstacle to further development is that no liquid monopropellant fuel has yetbeen identified which is safe, storable, and can be electrically detonated.In Phase I we will design a liquid-fuel PDE test bed in order to assess threecomplementary strategies for fuel development and will develop a plan toresearch the detonability of various fuels partially confined in a metal tubeand initiated by an electric discharge generated by a spark-plug-type system.In Phase II we will carry out this study and will fabricate and demonstrate aliquid-fuel engine compatible with MKV requirements. The fuel system that will result from this research will allow safe operationand storage and permit simple low-cost implementation of high-power-densityhigh-frequenc