In the framework of the PulCheR project, an experimental test campaign on a 20 N monopropellant thruster prototype has been carried out with the aim of assessing the capability of a new Pt/Al2O3 catalytic system of effectively decomposing 98% concentration hydrogen peroxide and the attainable propulsive performance in steady state conditions. The catalysts have been able to decompose up to 1 liter of 98% H2O2 with very good efficiencies (ηc* > 95% and ηΔT ≥ 90%) and without any pellets breakage or catalytic degradation. The thrust profile has been particularly smooth and the experimental specific impulse measured at sea level with the matched conical nozzle has been 130 s that corresponds to an extrapolated vacuum specific impulse for a high expansion area ratio bell-contoured nozzle higher than 185 s. The present experimental results represent useful reference data for the future assessment of the propulsive performance of the new propulsion concept proposed in the PulCheR project.
Stationary Propulsive Performance of a Green Monopropellant Demonstrator for the PulCheR Project
PASINI, ANGELO;PACE, GIOVANNI;VALENTINI, DARIO;D'AGOSTINO, LUCA
2014-01-01
Abstract
In the framework of the PulCheR project, an experimental test campaign on a 20 N monopropellant thruster prototype has been carried out with the aim of assessing the capability of a new Pt/Al2O3 catalytic system of effectively decomposing 98% concentration hydrogen peroxide and the attainable propulsive performance in steady state conditions. The catalysts have been able to decompose up to 1 liter of 98% H2O2 with very good efficiencies (ηc* > 95% and ηΔT ≥ 90%) and without any pellets breakage or catalytic degradation. The thrust profile has been particularly smooth and the experimental specific impulse measured at sea level with the matched conical nozzle has been 130 s that corresponds to an extrapolated vacuum specific impulse for a high expansion area ratio bell-contoured nozzle higher than 185 s. The present experimental results represent useful reference data for the future assessment of the propulsive performance of the new propulsion concept proposed in the PulCheR project.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
