The Experimental Investigation of a 98% Hydrogen Peroxide Monopropellant Thruster Comprising the Metal-Foam-Supported Manganese Oxide Catalyst

Abstract

The article presents alternative metal-supported catalysts for decomposition of the highest-class hydrogen peroxide: 98%+ (Type 98 HP, according to MIL-PRF-16005F). The aim of this study was the experimental investigation of an alternative solution for decomposition of 98%+ hydrogen peroxide, strictly for chemical propulsion. High-porosity open cell metal foams have been identified as structures with great potential. Low density, good mechanical and thermal properties, availability of various materials and alloys as well as new technologies of manufacturing, make metal foam a potential solution for many different propellants, not only hydrogen peroxide. Open cell NiCrAl foam has been processed to prepare several catalysts, with different content and dispersion of the active phase. Cleaning and drying were performed to prepare carriers for further processing: wet impregnation, slow drying, and calcination. Simple drop tests with 98% hydrogen peroxide have been conducted to estimate activity level of catalysts, in a simplified scale: low, medium, high. Then, real-environment tests have been performed in a catalyst bed. Temperature, pressure along the bed and propellant mass flow rate were measured while testing. The analysis of the test results provided a general conclusion that metal foam supported manganese oxide catalyst is a promising solution for hydrogen peroxide propulsion.