Top

Published in:

2024 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

3. Low-Cost Catalysts for Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂) Thermal Decomposition

Authors : Imane Remissa, Fidâ Baragh, Assia Mabrouk, Ahmed Bachar, Rachid Amrousse

Published in: Recent Advancements in Green Propulsion

Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config

AI-assisted search

Off

Abstract

In recent years, extensive research has been conducted globally to explore environmentally friendly alternatives for sustainable energy in space propulsion. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) has emerged as a promising green propellant system, particularly for satellite reaction control systems (RCS) and liquid propulsion. This study involved a comprehensive examination of the thermal decomposition of H₂O₂ monopropellant at a laboratory scale using a batch reactor, a differential pressure device, and differential thermal analysis–gravimetric analysis. The objective was to gain insights into the behavior of this monopropellant before its application in space missions. Concurrently, various catalysts with diverse support shapes were synthesized through different preparation methods. These catalysts were then subjected to characterization using several physico-chemical techniques and evaluated for their effectiveness in facilitating the chemical reactions involved in H₂O₂ decomposition. Notably, the synthesized catalysts proved to be more cost-effective than noble-metal catalysts, demonstrating excellent performance in enhancing the thermal processes.

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

über 102.000 Bücher
über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

Automobil + Motoren
Bauwesen + Immobilien
Business IT + Informatik
Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
Finance + Banking
Management + Führung
Marketing + Vertrieb
Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

inform now

Springer Professional "Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

über 67.000 Bücher
über 390 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

Automobil + Motoren
Bauwesen + Immobilien
Business IT + Informatik
Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

inform now

previous chapter Thermal and Catalytic Decomposition of Hydroxylammonium Nitrate (HAN)-Based Propellant

next chapter Green Monopropellants: State-of-the-Art

Amri R, Gibbon D, Rezoug T (2013) The design, development and test of one Newton hydrogen peroxide monopropellant thruster. Aerosp Sci Technol 25:266–272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2012.02.002CrossRef

Amrousse R (2021) Thermal decomposition of HAN green propellant. In: The proceedings of the 72nd international astronautical congress, Dubai, UAE

Amrousse R (2022) Survey on the green propulsion systems: from the lab-scale to the pilot scale-up: HAN is a good example. In: The proceedings of the 73rd international astronautical congress, Paris, France

Amrousse R, Hori K, Fujisato K, Habu H (2011a) Characterization and decomposition of ammonium dinitramide as liquid propellant. Int J Energetic Mater Chem Propul 10:245–257. https://doi.org/10.1615/IntJEnergeticMaterialsChemProp.2012005172CrossRef

Amrousse R, Keav S, Batonneau Y, Kappenstein C, Theron M, Bravais P (2011b) Catalytic ignition of cold hydrogen/oxygen mixtures for space propulsion applications. Int J Energetic Mater Chem Propul 10:301–314. https://doi.org/10.1615/IntJEnergeticMaterialsChemProp.2012004877CrossRef

Amrousse R, Augustin C, Farhat K, Batonneau Y, Kappenstein C (2011c) Catalytic decomposition of H₂O₂ using FeCrAl metallic-foam based catalysts. Int J Energetic Mater Chem Propul 10:375–387. https://doi.org/10.1615/IntJEnergeticMaterialsChemProp.2012005202CrossRef

Amrousse R, Hori K, Fetimi W, Farhat K (2012) HAN and ADN as liquid ionic monopropellants: thermal and catalytic decomposition processes. Appl Catal B 127:121–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2012.08.009CrossRef

Amrousse R, Katsumi T, Bachar A, Brahmi R, Bensitel M, Hori K (2014) Chemical engineering study for hydroxylammonium nitrate monopropellant decomposition over monolith and grain metal-based catalysts. React Kinet Mech Catal 111:71–88. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11144-013-0626-6CrossRef

Amrousse R, Katsumi T, Itouyama N, Azuma N, Kagawa H, Hatai K, Ikeda H, Hori K (2015) New HAN-based mixtures for reaction control system and low toxic spacecraft propulsion subsystem: thermal decomposition and possible thruster applications. Combust Flame 162:2686–2692. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2015.03.026CrossRef

Amrousse R, Katsumi T, Azuma N, Hori K (2017) Hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN)-based green propellant as alternative energy resource for potential hydrazine substitution: from lab scale to pilot plant scale-up. Combust Flame 176:334–348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2016.11.011CrossRef

An S, Jin J, Lee J, Jo S, Park D, Kwon S (2011) Chugging instability of H₂O₂ monopropellant thrusters with reactor aspect ratio and pressures. J Propul Power 27:422–427. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.48939CrossRef

Baker D (1978) The rocket: the history and development of rocket & missile technology, 1st edn. Crown, New York, NY, pp 5–21

Bispo TSSC, Assunção VV, Oliveira LR, Alves KGB, Kulesza J, Barros BS (2023) Synthesis and stoichiometric optimization of cobalt-manganese oxide nanocatalysts for decomposition of the green monopropellant H₂O₂. Ceram Int 49:26635–26641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2023.05.198CrossRef

Blondel-Canepari L, Alforja Ruiz I, Ayala Fernández L, Gelain R, Glaser C, Ordoñez Valles L, Sarritzu A, Anthoine J, Apel U, Hendrick P, Hijlkema J, Lavagna M, Stoll E, Tajmar M, Pasini A (2021) Conceptual study of technologies enabling novel green expendable upper stages with multi-payload/multi-orbit injection capability. In: IAC 2021, 72nd international astronautical congress, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, p 64276

Casalino L, Masseni F, Pastrone D (2019) Viability of an electrically driven pump-fed hybrid rocket for small launcher upper stages. Aerospace 6:36. https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace6030036CrossRef

Cassese S, Monteverde F, Gallo G, Mungiguerra S, Cecere A, Saraga F, Savino R (2023a) Compositionally complex catalytic oxide beds free of noble metals for H₂O₂ fuelled monopropellant thrusters. J Eur Ceram Soc 43:4854–4864. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2023.04.012CrossRef

Cassese S, Gallo G, Mungiguerra S, Cecere A, Savino R (2023b) Preliminary design and study of 5N HTP monopropellant thruster for small satellites. Acta Astronaut 202:94–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.10.006CrossRef

Cervone A, Torre L, d’Agostino L, Musker AJ, Roberts GT, Bramanti C, Saccoccia G (2006) Development of hydrogen peroxide monopropellant rockets. In: 42nd AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE joint propulsion conference & exhibit. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2006-5239

Chan Y-A, Liu HJ, Tseng K-C, Kuo TC (2013) Preliminary development of a hydrogen peroxide thruster. Int J Mech Aerosp Ind Mechatron Manuf Eng 7:1226–1233

Chang Y-P, Boyer E, Kuo KK (2001) Combustion behavior and flame structure of XM46 liquid propellant. J Propul Power 17:800–808. https://doi.org/10.2514/2.5836CrossRef

Claussen J, Daniele M, Geder J, Pruessner M, Makinen A, Melde B, Twigg M, Verbarg J, Medintz I (2014) Platinum-paper micromotors: an urchin-like nanohybrid catalyst for green monopropellant bubble-thrusters. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 20:17837–17847. https://doi.org/10.1021/am504525eCrossRef

Fokena M, Torkelson J (2007) Thermally stable catalyst and process for the decomposition of liquid propellants. US patent 20070184971, Aspen Products Group Inc.

Freudenmann D, Ciezki HK (2019) ADN and HAN-based monopropellants—a minireview on compatibility and chemical stability in aqueous media. Propell Explos Pyrotech 44:1084–1089. https://doi.org/10.1002/prep.201900127CrossRef

Friedman H (2007) Kinetics of thermal degradation of char-forming plastics from thermogravimetry. Application to phenolic plastic. J Polym Sci Part C Polym Symp 6:183–195. https://doi.org/10.1002/polc.5070060121CrossRef

Gotzig U (2015) Challenges and economic benefits of green propellants for satellite propulsion. In: 71th European conference for aeronautics and space sciences (EUCASS), Krakow, Poland

Gotzig U, Wurdak M, Lauck F (2018) Development of a flight type 1N hydrogen peroxide thruster. In: Proceedings of the space propulsion conference, Seville, Spain

Gotzig U, Wurdak M, Harmansa N (2023) Development and coupled thruster/electrolyser tests of a water propulsion system. Acta Astronaut 202:751–759. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.09.059CrossRef

Haeseler D, Bombelli V, Vuillermoz P, Lo R, Marée T, Caramelli F (2004) Green propellant propulsion concepts for space transportation and technology development needs. In: Proceedings of the 2nd international conference on green propellants for space propulsion (ESA SP-557), vol 557, Chia Laguna (Cagliari), Sardinia, Italy, p 4

Harimech Z, Hairch Y, Atamanov MK, Toshtay K, Azat S, Souhair N, Amrousse R (2023a) Carbon nanotube iridium–cupric oxide supported catalysts for decomposition of ammonium dinitramide in the liquid phase. Int J Energetic Mater Chem Propul 22:13–18. https://doi.org/10.1615/IntJEnergeticMaterialsChemProp.2023047555CrossRef

Harimech Z, Kainaubek T, Atamanov M, Azat S, Amrousse R (2023b) Thermal decomposition of ammonium dinitramide (ADN) as green energy source for space propulsion. Aerospace 10:832. https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace10100832CrossRef

Hwang M, Rho T-S, Lee HJ (2022) Conceptual design and performance analysis of water electrolysis propulsion system with catalytic igniter for CubeSats. Acta Astronaut 200:316–328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.08.022CrossRef

Jo S (2017) Response characteristics of H₂O₂ monopropellant thrusters with MnO₂-mixed PbO catalyst. Aerosp Sci Technol 60:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2016.10.022MathSciNetCrossRef

Jo S, Jang D, An S, Kwon S (2011) Chugging instability of H₂O₂ monopropellant thrusters with catalyst reactivity and support sizes. J Propul Power 27:920–924. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.B34222CrossRef

Jones CW, Clark JH (2000) Applications of hydrogen peroxide and derivatives, vol 4. RSC, London, UK, pp 232–233. https://doi.org/10.1021/op000003w

Kang S, Kwon S (2021) Preparation and performance evaluation of platinum barium hexaaluminate catalyst for green propellant hydroxylamine nitrate thrusters. Materials 14:2828–2839. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14112828CrossRef

Kang H, Lee D, Kang S, Kwon S (2017) Effect of H₂O₂ injection patterns on catalyst bed characteristics. Acta Astronaut 130:75–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2016.10.023CrossRef

Koopmans R-J, Nandyala VR, Pavesi S, Batonneau Y, Beauchet R, Maleix C, Schwentenwein M, Spitzbart M, Altun AA, Scharlemann C (2019) Comparison of HTP catalyst performance for different internal monolith structures. Acta Astronaut 164:106–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2019.07.010CrossRef

Krejci D, Woschnak A, Scharlemann C, Ponweiser K (2012) Structural impact of honeycomb catalysts on hydrogen peroxide decomposition for micro propulsion. Chem Eng Res Des 90:2302–2315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2012.05.015CrossRef

Kumar P (2018) An overview on properties, thermal decomposition, and combustion behavior of ADN and ADN based solid propellants. Defence Technol 14:661–673. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dt.2018.03.009CrossRef

Kwak H-D, Kwon S, Choi C-H (2018) Performance assessment of electrically driven pump-fed LOX/kerosene cycle rocket engine: comparison with gas generator cycle. Aerosp Sci Technol 77:67–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2018.02.033CrossRef

Lee S-L, Lee C-W (2009) Performance characteristics of silver catalyst bed for hydrogen peroxide. Aerosp Sci Technol 13:12–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2008.02.007CrossRef

Lee J, Roh T-S, Huh H, Lee H (2020) Performance analysis and mass estimation of a small-sized liquid rocket engine with electric-pump cycle. Int J Aeronaut Space Sci 22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42405-020-00325-z

Marshall WM, Deans MC (2014) Recommended figures of merit for green monopropellants. In: 49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE joint propulsion conference. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, AIAA 2013-3722, San Jose, CA

Masse, RK, May A, Driscoll E, Spores RA, Arrington LA, Schneider SJ, Vasek TE (2016) AF-M315E propulsion system advances and improvements. In: 52nd AIAA/SAE/ASEE joint propulsion conference. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), AIAA 2016-4577, Salt Lake City, UT

McKee DW (1969) Catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by metals and alloys of the platinum group. J Catal 14:355–364. https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9517(69)90326-1CrossRef

Neufeld MJ (1996) The rocket and the Reich: Peenemünde and the coming of the ballistic missile era. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, pp 38–75

Nosseir AES, Cervone A, Pasini A (2021) Review of state-of-the-art green monopropellants: for propulsion systems analysts and designers. Aerospace 8:20. https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace8010020CrossRef

Ordonez Valles L, Apel U, Tajmar M, Weuta P (2021) Comparison between a 400 N electric pump fed hydrogen peroxide/ethanol thruster and the MMH/NTO legacy systems. In: International astronautical congress, Dubai, UAE

Ordonez Valles L, Blondel Canepari L, Apel U, Tajmar M, Pasini A (2022) Challenges and opportunities of green propellants and electric pump feeding for future European kick stages. Aerotec Missili Spaz 101:227–241. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42496-022-00133-6CrossRef

Palmer MJ (2014) Experimental evaluation of hydrogen peroxide catalysts for monopropellant attitude control thrusters. Ph.D. thesis, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK

Parzybut A, Surmacz P, Gut Z (2023) Impact of hydrogen peroxide concentration on manganese oxide and platinum catalyst bed performance. Aerospace 10:556–568. https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace10060556CrossRef

Rachov PAP, Tacca H, Lentini D (2013) Electric feed systems for liquid-propellant rockets. J Propul Power 29:1171–1180. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.B34714CrossRef

Rarata G, Surmacz P (2011) The safe preparation of HTP and concentrated H₂O₂ samples. Trans Inst Aviat 217:116–124

Rarata G, Surmacz P (2014) Hydrogen peroxide 98% HTP-class—an alternative for hydrazine (in Polish). Pr Inst Lotn 1:25–33

Rarata G, Rokicka K, Surmacz P (2016) Hydrogen peroxide as high energy compound optimal for propulsive applications. Cent Eur J Energetic Mater 3:349–361. https://doi.org/10.22211/cejem/65005

Remissa I, Souagh A, Hairch Y, Sahibeddine A, Atamanov MK, Amrousse R (2022) Thermal decomposition behaviors of 30% hydrogen peroxide over free noble metal-synthesized solid catalysts. Int J Energetic Mater Chem Propul 21:17–29. https://doi.org/10.1615/IntJEnergeticMaterialsChemProp.2022043338

Remissa I, Jabri H, Hairch Y, Kainaubek T, Atamanov M, Azat S, Amrousse R (2023) Propulsion systems, propellants, green propulsion subsystems and their applications: a review. Euras Chem-Technol J 25(1):3–19. https://doi.org/10.18321/ectj1491

Rocketlab (2022) Electron: dedicated access to space for small satellites, Jan 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/launch/electron/

Romeo L, Torre L, Pasini A, Cervone A, d’Agostino L, Calderazzo F (2007) Performance of different catalysts supported on alumina spheres for hydrogen peroxide decomposition. In: Proceedings of the 43rd AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE joint propulsion conference & exhibit, Cincinnati, OH. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2007-5466

Runckel JF, Willis CM, Salters LB (1963) Investigation of catalyst beds for 98-percent concentration hydrogen peroxide. Technical note D-1808, vol 10. NASA, Washington, DC, p 215. https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace10030215

Rusek JJ (1996) New decomposition catalysts and characterization techniques for rocket-grade hydrogen peroxide. J Propul Power 12:574–579. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.24071CrossRef

Sackheim RL, Masse RK (2014) Green propulsion advancement: challenging the maturity of monopropellant hydrazine. J Propul Power 30:265–276. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.B35086CrossRef

Solda N, Lentini D (2008) Opportunities for a liquid rocket feed system based on electric pumps. J Propul Power 24:1340–1346. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.35074CrossRef

Souagh A, Remissa I, Atamanov MK, El Alaoui H, Amrousse R (2022) Comparative study of the thermal decomposition of hydroxylammonium nitrate green energetic compound: combination between experimental and DFT calculation. Int J Energetic Mater Chem Propul 1:31–38. https://doi.org/10.1615/IntJEnergeticMaterialsChemProp.2022044056CrossRef

Stokes PR (1997) Hydrogen peroxide for power and propulsion. Trans Newcomen Soc 69:69–96. https://doi.org/10.1179/tns.1997.004CrossRef

Surmacz P, Gut Z (2023) The experimental investigation of a 98% hydrogen peroxide monopropellant thruster comprising the metal-foam-supported manganese oxide catalyst. Aerospace 10:215–227. https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace10030215CrossRef

Tauster S, Fung S, Baker R, Horsley J (1981) Strong interactions in supported-metal catalysts. Science (New York, NY) 211:1121–1125. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.211.4487.1121CrossRef

Vaughan D, Nazakono B, London A, Mehra A (2017) Technology development and design of an electrically driven pump fed (EDPF) Bi. In: 68th international astronautical congress, Adelaide, Australia

Ventura M, Garboden G (1999) A brief history of concentrated hydrogen peroxide uses. In: Proceedings of the 35th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE joint propulsion conference and exhibit, Los Angeles, CA. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.1999-2739

Ventura M, Wernimont E, Dillard J (2007) Hydrogen peroxide-optimal for turbomachinery and power applications. In: Proceedings of the 43rd AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE joint propulsion conference & exhibit, Cincinnati, OH. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2007-5537

Wanhainen JP, Ross PS, DeWitt RL (1960) Effect of propellant and catalyst bed temperatures on thrust buildup in several hydrogen peroxide reaction control rockets. Technical note D-480. NASA, Washington, DC

Waxenegger-Wilfing G, Deeken J, Henrique dos Santos Hahn R (2018) Studies on electric pump-fed liquid rocket engines for microlauncher. In: SP2018, Seville, Spain

Wernimont E, Ventura M, Garboden G, Mullens P (2005) Past and present uses of rocket grade hydrogen peroxide. In: General kinetics, Huntington Beach, CA

Yu B, Kwak H-D, Kim HJ (2020) Effects of the O/F ratio on the performance of a low thrust LOX/methane rocket engine with an ElecPump-fed cycle. Int J Aeronaut Space Sci 21:1037–1046. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42405-020-00318-yCrossRef

Title: Low-Cost Catalysts for Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) Thermal Decomposition
Authors: Imane Remissa
Fidâ Baragh
Assia Mabrouk
Ahmed Bachar
Rachid Amrousse
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland
Book: Recent Advancements in Green Propulsion
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-62573-2

Electronic ISBN: 978-3-031-62574-9

Copyright Year: 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-62574-9_3