Analytical reagent (AR)-grade nitric acid (69.3% by mass) and lithium–aluminum–hydride (LAH) as an additive to paraffin wax are evaluated as green propellant substitutes for state-of-the-art propellants currently used for in-space propulsion. The viabilities of hypergolic ignition and ignition delay (ID) times were measured for a range of conditions, including LAH loading in paraffin and ignition test chamber pressure. A strong inverse trend between ID and pressure was observed for the reaction of AR-grade nitric acid and pure LAH. A minimum of 50% mass loading of LAH in paraffin wax was required for reliable hypergolic ignition with AR-grade nitric acid at atmospheric pressure under a pure nitrogen environment.


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    Title :

    Hypergolic Ignition of Lithium–Aluminum–Hydride-Doped Paraffin Wax and Nitric Acid


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2020-02-13


    Size :

    11 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




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