Hypergolic Reaction Between the Green Ionic Liquid EMIM SCN and Hydrogen Peroxide in a Lab-Scale Drop Test Chamber

Kurzfassung

The hypergolic reaction between the recently developed green propellant combination consisting of an ionic liquid and highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide was investigated for various fuel to oxidizer ratios and heights of fall. The influence of the catalytic copper additive on the ignition delay time (IDT) was analyzed. Flame emission/absorption spectroscopy revealed the chemical constituents. All emission spectra were dominated by the sodium D-lines at a wavelength of lambda = 589 nm. Further lines of alkali metals such as lithium and potassium were found. The copper additive showed its characteristic lines according to its amount in the fuel. Emission spectra of the ultraviolet regime showed the characteristic OH* molecular lines around a wavelength of lambda = 306 nm with its temperature dependent intensity ratios. The catalytic additive copper (I) thio-cyanate (CuSCN) increases the temperature of the OH* molecule in the flame while it decreases the IDT from 31 ms for pure ionic liquid to 15 ms (5% mass percentage).