Ammonium Nitrate Catalyzed with Copper Chromite Nanoparticles : A Novel Halogen Free Oxidizer for a Solid Propellant with Low Smoke Signature

• Autorzy: Elbasuney Sherif , Ashraf Ahmed , Fahd Ahmed , Mostafa Hosam E. , Attwa Mohamed , Said Ali

Identyfikatory

DOI

10.22211/cejem/207453

• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Ammonium perchlorate (AP), the main oxidizer for solid propellants, results in white smoke (HCl); which could induce acidic rain and could damage fertile soil. A chlorine-free oxidizer is highly valued for solid propellants. Ammonium nitrate (AN) emerges as a promising green oxidizer; however it exhibits low performance (i.e. specific impulse). The present work describes the synthesis of copper chromite nanoparticles (NPs) of 45 nm. Copper chromite NPs were synthesized through hydrothermal synthesis; the developed nanocatalyst was then integrated into an AN matrix. While virgin AN demonstrated a strong endothermic decomposition of +1707 J/g, catalyzed AN demonstrated a superior exothermic decomposition, with an enthalpy of -1492 J/g. A solid propellant formulation based on AN and copper chromite (CuCr2O4) was optimized using the Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT) thermodynamic code via partial replacement of AP with AN. AN (30 wt.%) was found to decrease the smoke signature by 54.4%, with a minimum decrease in specific impulse. The solid propellant formulation was developed via mixing and vacuum casting. The ballistic performance was assessed using a small-scale ballistic evaluation rocket motor. The AN-based formulation demonstrated a stable combustion process with a slight decrease in the characteristic exhaust velocity and total pressure impulse of 4% and 4.8%, respectively. It may be concluded that a solid propellant with customized ballistic performance and low smoke signature has been optimized and developed.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

ammonium perchlorate; ammonium nitrate; burning rate modifier; copper chromite; composite propellant

• Wydawca: Sieć Badawcza Łukasiewicz - Instytut Przemysłu Organicznego
• Czasopismo: Central European Journal of Energetic Materials
• Rocznik: 2025
• Tom: Vol. 22, no. 2
• Strony: 180--195
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 22 poz., rys., tab., wykr.

Twórcy

autor

Elbasuney Sherif

• School of Chemical Engineering, Military Technical College, Cairo, Egypt
• Nanotechnology Research Center, Military Technical College, Cairo, Egypt

autor

Ashraf Ahmed

• Technical Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.

autor

Fahd Ahmed

• Technical Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.

autor

Mostafa Hosam E.

• Nanotechnology Research Center, Military Technical College, Cairo, Egypt

autor

Attwa Mohamed

• Nanotechnology Research Center, Military Technical College, Cairo, Egypt

autor

Said Ali

• Nanotechnology Research Center, Military Technical College, Cairo, Egypt

Bibliografia

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