Keywords

Laser Absorption, Shock Tube, Propellant

Abstract

Hydrazine thrusters have been used for decades to land spacecraft on other planets. While its use is common, handling hydrazine is difficult due to its toxicity; this poses a risk to humans during testing and loading the propellant onto a spacecraft. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has limited human exposure to 1 part per million (ppm) of hydrazine per eight-hour workday. Green propellants are promising alternatives because they have lower toxicity but do not sacrifice performance. Green propellant technology has been demonstrated in space and future missions are planned, such as NASA’s Green-Propulson Dual-Mode technology demonstration. At the University of Central Florida, laser absorption spectroscopy measurements were conducted during shock tube ignition delay time measurements. Ethylene and nitrous oxide were diluted in argon gas and shock heated to 1400 to 1600 K and 12 bar. A 4.9 μm laser measured carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide was measured by a 4.6 μm laser, and nitric oxide was measured by a 5.2 μm laser. The species' time histories were compared to the predictions of the NUIG 1.2 chemical kinetic mechanism. Predictions of the model can be improved by comparing it to the experimental data. The work will lead to increased confidence in the operation of space thrusters using green propellants.

Completion Date

2025

Semester

Spring

Committee Chair

Subith, Vasu

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Format

PDF

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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