NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Oxygen Mass Flow Rate Generated for Monitoring Hydrogen Peroxide StabilityRecent interest in propellants with non-toxic reaction products has led to a resurgence of interest in hydrogen peroxide for various propellant applications. Because peroxide is sensitive to contaminants, material interactions, stability and storage issues, monitoring decomposition rates is important. Stennis Space Center (SSC) uses thermocouples to monitor bulk fluid temperature (heat evolution) to determine reaction rates. Unfortunately, large temperature rises are required to offset the heat lost into the surrounding fluid. Also, tank penetration to accomodate a thermocouple can entail modification of a tank or line and act as a source of contamination. The paper evaluates a method for monitoring oxygen evolution as a means to determine peroxide stability. Oxygen generation is not only directly related to peroxide decomposition, but occurs immediately. Measuring peroxide temperature to monitor peroxide stability has significant limitations. The bulk decomposition of 1% / week in a large volume tank can produce in excess of 30 cc / min. This oxygen flow rate corresponds to an equivalent temperature rise of approximately 14 millidegrees C, which is difficult to measure reliably. Thus, if heat transfer were included, there would be no temperature rise. Temperature changes from the surrounding environment and heat lost to the peroxide will also mask potential problems. The use of oxygen flow measurements provides an ultra sensitive technique for monitoring reaction events and will provide an earlier indication of an abnormal decomposition when compared to measuring temperature rise.
Document ID
20040008395
Acquisition Source
Stennis Space Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Ross, H. Richard
(Lockheed Martin Space Operations Bay Saint Louis, MS, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
September 15, 2002
Subject Category
Propellants And Fuels
Report/Patent Number
SE-2002-09-00064-SSC
Meeting Information
Meeting: 5th International Hydrogen Peroxide Propulsion Conference
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Country: United States
Start Date: September 15, 2002
End Date: September 19, 2002
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS13-650
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
No Preview Available