Novel Gellants for Optimized Fuel Gels

"Gelled propellants are generally safer to handle, have reduced flammability and detonability, and lower spill susceptibility compared to traditional liquid fuels. However, they are more difficult to atomize and combust, and the presence of the gellingagent can cause a loss of specific impulse. EERGC Corporation in cooperation with subcontractor TRW, a leader in gel propellant technology, proposes an SBIR project to identify promising particulate gellants for use in MHZ and DMAZ bipropellant fuels andto optimize them with respect to chemical stability, gel stability and properties, rheology, combustion performance and cost. Models, calculations, and engineering judgement will be used to evaluate and screen a number of potential gelling agents based ontheir theoretical ability to form gels with MHZ and DMAZ, to react with the oxidant but not the fuel, and to burn quickly leaving minimal visible signature. The more promising ones will be selected for limited testing for chemical and short-term gelstability, density, centrifuge stability, and yield point; and the most promising ones will be selected for more detailed testing including long term stability and high-shear rheology tests. An optional bridge to Phase II is proposed to examine variationsof the best gels to optimize gel properties. The gel fuels to be developed in this proposed SBIR project will be suitable for integration into Common Missile and modernized Hellfire progra