Ignition Mechanisms in Monopropellants

The sensitivity of liquid monopropellants is examined when subjected to compression ignition, including the case of purposeful sensitization with air bubbles; and frictional heating. The monopropellant is a hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN)-based propellant. Conditions are identified which will likely result in ignition from rapid compression. Ignition from frictional heating associated with hydroynamic flow is less certain, however attempts to model this phenomenon theoretically have been made.