Combustion Experiments in Hydrogen Peroxide/Polyethylene Hybrid Rocket with Catalytic Ignition

Results from 100 tests of lab-scale hybrid rocket motors using hydrogen peroxide and polyethylene are presented. The bulk of the tests utilized 85 percent hydrogen peroxide with low-density polyethylene. A new consumable catalytic-ignition device has been developed to provide rapid, reliable ignition using stabilized hydrogen peroxide. Regression measurements indicate that at low chamber pressures (100 psi) a classic diffusion-dominated behavior is noted with mass flux exponents very near the theoretical value of 0.8. However, at higher chamber pressures tested (200 and 400 psi), radiative-dominated behavior is noted for average mass fluxes varying between 0.1 and 0.3 lb(m)/(sq in. s). Through the optimization of aft mixing length, combustion efficiencies in excess of 95 percent were obtained in these tests. No significant nonacoustic or acoustic instabilities were noted in these tests; chamber pressure fluctuations were less than 3.5 percent zero-to-peak of mean. (Author)