Ignition of hydrogen peroxide with gel hydrocarbon fuels

Experimental counterflow and impinging jet studies and modeling analysis of hypergolic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and gel hydrocarbon fuel/particle mixtures were conducted to characterize condensed phase reaction rates and ignition delay times. The mixtures consisted of n-dodecane, n-heptane, and kerosene containing fumed silica and sodium borohydride (NaBH4) particles. Scanning electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analysis of the NaBH4 particles were performed to characterize particle size, size distribution, geometry, surface composition, and thermal decomposition. Liquid-phase counterflow experiments were used to derive a global rate constant for the condensed phase reaction between H2O2 and NaBH4. Chemical kinetics calculations were performed using the condensed phase global reaction coupled with a detailed gas phase mechanism for hydrocarbon oxidation to phenomenologically study the ignition process. Shorter igni...