Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Lecture #6
Monopropellant Thrusters
Copyright © 2003 1
Narayanan Komerath
Monopropellant Thrusters
Copyright © 2003 2
Narayanan Komerath
Cold Gas Thruster
Candidate gases
c* ∝ γ RT0
High gamma and low molecular weight help get a high exhaust velocity
Copyright © 2003 3
Narayanan Komerath
Cold Gas Thrusters (contd)
Copyright © 2003 4
Narayanan Komerath
Cold Gas Thruster Example
Copyright © 2003 5
Narayanan Komerath
For N2, molecular weight is 28.02.
This gives R = 296 Joules per Kg per Kelvin.)
Copyright © 2003 6
Narayanan Komerath
b) Determine the c* and (isentropic) CF
Assume constant T0 (isothermal) T0 = Ti = 300 K
γ RT0 1.4(296)(300)
c* = γ +1
= 2.4
= 435.2m / s
2 2(γ −1) 2 0.8
γ 1.4
γ + 1 2.4
To get CF, we must first know Pe/P0 for ε = 20.
(γ +1) For gamma = 1.4, this gives
1/ 2
γ −1 2 2(γ −1)
γ + 1 0.2588
ε=
2 ε= 1/ 2
γ −1
1/ 2 pe 0.2857 pe
0.7143
1/ γ
1 −
γ
pe pe 1 − pc
pc pc pc
Copyright © 2003 7
Narayanan Komerath
Trial & error solution
From charts of this function, guess pressure ratio of 0.002 for ε=20
Gives ε = 24.05 (too high)
Change guess of pressure ratio to 0.003
Gives ε = 18.23 (too low)
Linear interpolation : at ε = 20, pressure ratio = 0.0027.
Exact solution = 0.00262
Nozzle efficiency factor for divergence losses in the 15-degree conical nozzle:
1
λ = (1 + Cosα ) = 0.983
2
γ −1 1/ 2
2 γ +1
2γ 2 γ −1 pe
γ ( pe − pa )
CF = λ γ + 1 1 − +ε
γ − 1 p0 p0
Vacuum: Pa = 0.
Copyright © 2003 8
Narayanan Komerath
(c) Find Isp c* (435.2)(1.662)
I sp = C F = = 73.74sec.
g0 9.81
(d) Assuming choked flow, find the mass flow rate of propellant,
thrust, and total impulse available in this system.
T At CF p0 Ap
m p = CF = = t 0
I sp g 0 C c * c*
g0 F
g0
m p = 0.232kg / s
From Part a, the mass used up is 20.475 kg. Therefore,
As the gas is expelled, its temperature will drop. (see Humble p. 144-145).
Copyright © 2003 10
Narayanan Komerath
Decomposition-based Monopropellant Systems
Copyright © 2003 11
Narayanan Komerath
Candidate propellants:Only Hydrogen Peroxide, n-Propyl Nitrate, and
Hydrazine thrusters have been flown. Propyl nitrate used to start jet
engines; rejected due to shock sensitivity.
Hydrogen peroxide decomposes slowly, causing tank pressure
increase, and propellant dilution. Hydrazine is now the mono-
propellant of choice.
Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2): Usually expressed as a percentage of
H2O2 in a solution with water :
% by m 1 atm. Boiling Average density, kg/m3 at Storage
mass temp. 77F temperature
95% 32.6 294.8F 1414 Room temp.
H2O2
98% 33.4 299.2F 1432 Room temp.
H2O2
Copyright © 2003 12
Narayanan Komerath
Hydrogen Peroxide Decomposition
H2O2 deteriorates with time as it naturally decomposes into H2O and O2.
Hazel and Huang give a concentration decrease rate of 1% per year.
Copyright © 2003 13
Narayanan Komerath
Early Catalysts for Hydrogen Peroxide
Early catalysts where liquids were injected into H2O2:
Copyright © 2003 14
Narayanan Komerath
More Recent Catalysts
Later H2O2 catalysts were solid, wire screens impregnated with platinum or
palladium (or silver plated) and layered between the injector and the
chamber.
H2O
H2O2
Ac
O2
Copyright © 2003 15
Narayanan Komerath
Performance of H2O2 thrusters
The decomposition of H2O2 is relatively cool by rocket engine
standards, say 1000K to 1500K for the exhaust products depending on
concentration.
At these temperatures, the Isp of an H2O2 system is 140 sec. to 190 sec.
Copyright © 2003 16
Narayanan Komerath
Hydrazine Monopropellant (N2H4)
Very popular and widely used monopropellant.
•Storable,
•Highest performance (of monopropellants).
•Dense liquid;
•Toxic.
Molecular weight: 32.05
Density 1010 kg/m3.
Boiling temperature 235.4F.
Liquid storable at room temperature.
NH3
N2H4
Ac
N2 H2
Copyright © 2003 17
Narayanan Komerath
Hydrazine Reactions
For hydrazine, there are 2 reactions – one exothermic and one
endothermic.
3 N 2 H 4 → 4 NH 3 + N 2 − 336.28 KJ
in the presence of catalyst.
With proper design of the catalyst bed, we can limit the amount of
ammonia that is dissociated according to the above equation (say
50%) [ range is from 30 to 80%].
Copyright © 2003 18
Narayanan Komerath
Catalysts for N2H4 (Mariner)
Currently, beds of ceramic pellets coated with iridium (Shell 405 pellets,
1962) allow the N2H4 to decompose without an igniter. Multiple restarts
are also possible.
Copyright © 2003 19
Narayanan Komerath
Hydrazine Thruster Performance
For steady-state operation with a “hot” catalyst bed..
Brown: Hydrazine, Isp = 230s at sea-level; c*=3952 ft/s; Tf= 1394K. (Range:
220-230s vacuum Isp )
100%
90%
Thrust
10%
ON Time OFF
Copyright © 2003 20
Narayanan Komerath
Hydrazine Pulsed Thrust Profiles
If the system is cold (very short pulses or a long interval between pulses)
the Isp and thrust can fail to reach steady-state values.
230 Steady state Isp
14 ms pulse
“cold” Isp
120
60deg.F exhaust
Copyright © 2003 21
Narayanan Komerath
Catalyst Life
Cold starts create pressure pulses in the catalyst bed that damage the
pellets over time. For this reason (and performance reasons discussed
above), monopropellant hydrazine thrusters often have heaters to keep
the system warm (475K – 600K). With heaters, catalyst beds can last up to
500,000 to 1 million pulse cycles. (Brown, pg.62, Voyager.
FLEETSATCM.)
Copyright © 2003 22
Narayanan Komerath
Monopropellant Thruster Weight Correlation
Copyright © 2003 23
Narayanan Komerath
Electrothermal Monopropellant Thrusters
For a resistojet with hydrogen (H2) the Isp can approach 840 sec.
However power is high and T/We is low (power conversion ~65%
to 90%. )
Copyright © 2003 24
Narayanan Komerath
Arcjets
Arcjets are less efficient at converting power to Isp (~20 to 30%) but higher
Isps are possible. 500sec. to 1500sec. (still low T/We).
Copyright © 2003 25
Narayanan Komerath
Catalytic vs. Electrothermal Hydrazine Thrusters
Copyright © 2003 26
Narayanan Komerath
Electric thrusters: Atlantic Research Co.
Copyright © 2003 27
Narayanan Komerath
Xenon ion thruster
Copyright © 2003 28
Narayanan Komerath
Copyright © 2003 29
Narayanan Komerath