BobD1001
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Evolution of Ammonia Gas from AP Propellant
I just wanted to get some insight as to what may be the potential chemical process that is generating ammonia gas in my Ammonium Perchlorate based
rocket propellant. Obviously some of the AP is being decomposed....
The binding agent for the propellant is Mr. Fiberglass Brand epoxy resin/hardener (4:1 ratio). Copper oxide as the burn rate catalyst and flame
colorant, and obviously Ammonium Perchlorate as the oxidizer. The propellant is 80 parts AP, 20 parts binder, and +2 parts Copper(II) Oxide.
I'm curious to see what reactions could be generating this ammonia gas evolution. Also of note... the propellant is quite stable, and I have
successfully tested many batches for temp/impact stability and they have surpassed with flying colors.
Thank you
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Bot0nist
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Is the NH3 being release during mixing or proccessing the propellant, or as exhaust during combustion? Surely you mean the former.
U.T.F.S.E. and learn the joys of autodidacticism!
Don't judge each day only by the harvest you reap, but also by the seeds you sow.
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BobD1001
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My apologies for not making that clear. It is during the mixing of the propellant, only during the initial stages of mixing, then it subsides to a
minor ammonia smell. When tacky or cured there is no smell whatsoever.
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bbartlog
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Ammonium perchlorate and cupric oxide seem like they might well react to form some copper perchlorate compound with release of ammonia.
The less you bet, the more you lose when you win.
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APO
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WHAT?
"Damn it George! I told you not to drop me!"
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DubaiAmateurRocketry
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A group of friends I knew made it few years ago, but they stopped using it since ammonium perchlorate's decomposition and burning in a rocket camber
causes great pressure, some times too great and the epoxy 'cracks' resulting in an explosion.
However they did achieve very good success with mach diamonds after each other with this smokeless propellant.
http://bbs.kechuang.org/read-kc-tid-39497.html
http://bbs.kechuang.org/read-kc-tid-56938.html
http://bbs.kechuang.org/index.php?m=cms&q=view&id=40...
and some explosions where the epoxy cracked.
http://bbs.kechuang.org/read-kc-tid-54343.html
Epoxy is better replaced with a elastic synthetic rubber.
NH3 is barely produced, you might find traces of it though. This propellant mainly makes C, CO, CO2, H2O, HCl, Cl2, N2, NOX, H2.
And the rest are less than 0.01%, NH3 is predicted only to contribute around 0.00002% of gas produced.
Cupric oxide is not really needed, and ammonium perchlorate content could be further increased or maybe simply replace the 2part of cupric oxide
because ammonium perchlorate only releases only around 55% of its oxygen in it self. Good luck.
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APO
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AWESOME!
"Damn it George! I told you not to drop me!"
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DubaiAmateurRocketry
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what what ?
Quote: Originally posted by bbartlog  | | Ammonium perchlorate and cupric oxide seem like they might well react to form some copper perchlorate compound with release of ammonia.
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AP would decompose well before this reaction happen.
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