THIXOTROPIC IRFNA GEL

Abstract

A thixotropic oxidizer gel comprising inhibited red fuming nitric acid (IRFNA) as the carrier with lithium nitrate (LiNO3) suspended therein and gelled with a gellant agent of SiO2 having a mean particle size of 0.015 microns has the rheological properties which can be tailored to match those of MICOM GEL, a fuel gel. A thixotropic gelled fuel (MICOM GEL) has been of particular interest because of its increased safety, reduced sloshing, ease of pumping at zero gravity and ability to suspend high concentrations of high-energy ingredients. However, a gelled oxidizer has been desired for use with the gelled fuel to constitute a thixotropic gelled propellant system. The combination of a gelled fuel (MICOM GEL) and a gelled oxidizer is now a reality after the development of the thixotropic oxidizer gel disclosed above. Of major significance is the matching of the rheologial properties of the two gels so that an oxidizer/fuel (O/F) ratio shift does not occur with a temperature change. The development of the thixotropic oxidizer gel obviates the problems of O/F shift attributed to using a liquid IRFNA oxidizer with MICOM GEL. The combination of the thixotropic oxidizer gel comprising the carrier of IRFNA in weight percent amounts from about 55.0 to 86.0, the suspended LiNO3 in weight percent amounts from about 10.0 to 40.0, and the gellant agent of SiO2 in weight percent amounts from about 4.0 to about 5.0 with MICOM GEL fuel offers both high Isp and high density Isp which translates to significant increases in total system performance. This combination reflects a range increase to 160 percent of the present system.

Source: Google Patents

35 USC §181 Secrecy Order

Inventor

• 1BARRY D. ALLAN

Sensitive facility: Huntsville AL (NASA/Army)

Technology Domains

Click a domain to browse all patents in this category.