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Chemical Characterization and Reactivity of Fuel-Oxidizer Reaction ProductFuel-oxidizer reaction product (FORP), the product of incomplete reaction of monomethylhydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide propellants prepared under laboratory conditions and from firings of Shuttle Reaction Control System thrusters, has been characterized by chemical and thermal analysis. The composition of FORP is variable but falls within a limited range of compositions that depend on three factors: the fuel-oxidizer ratio at the time of formation; whether the composition of the post-formation atmosphere is reducing or oxidizing; and the reaction or post-reaction temperature. A typical composition contains methylhydrazinium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, methylammonium nitrate, and trace amounts of hydrazinium nitrate and 1,1-dimethylhydrazinium nitrate. Thermal decomposition reactions of the FORP compositions used in this study were unremarkable. Neither the various compositions of FORP, the pure major components of FORP, nor mixtures of FORP with propellant system corrosion products showed any unusual thermal activity when decomposed under laboratory conditions. Off-limit thruster operations were simulated by rapid mixing of liquid monomethylhydrazine and liquid nitrogen tetroxide in a confined space. These tests demonstrated that monomethylhydrazine, methylhydrazinium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, or Inconel corrosion products can induce a mixture of monomethylhydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide to produce component-damaging energies. Damaging events required FORP or metal salts to be present at the initial mixing of monomethylhydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide.
Document ID
19970017921
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
David, Dennis D.
(Allied-Signal Technical Services Corp. Las Cruces, NM United States)
Dee, Louis A.
(Allied-Signal Technical Services Corp. Las Cruces, NM United States)
Beeson, Harold D.
(White Sands Test Facility Las Cruces, NM United States)
Date Acquired
August 17, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 1997
Publication Information
Publication: The 1997 JANNAF Propellant Development and Characterization Subcommittee and Safety and Environmental Protection Subcomittee Joint Meeting
Volume: 1
Subject Category
Propellants And Fuels
Accession Number
97N20032
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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