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http://dx.doi.org/10.6108/KSPE.2015.19.2.046

Explosive Accidents and Safe Handling of an Experimental Liquid Rocket Engine Using Nitrous Oxide as Oxidizer  

Choi, Songyi (School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Korea Aerospace University)
Park, Sukyoung (School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Korea Aerospace University)
Lee, Donggun (School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Korea Aerospace University)
Kim, Dohun (Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Korea Aerospace University)
Koo, Jaye (School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Korea Aerospace University)
Publication Information
Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers / v.19, no.2, 2015 , pp. 46-54 More about this Journal
Abstract
Nitrous oxide is known as green and safe propellant, and can be supplied by its own vapor pressure. So, many liquid propulsion research institutes and university laboratories use nitrous oxide as oxidizer of experimental liquid rocket engine. However, the unknown explosions occurred twice during hot fire experiments using subscale ethanol/nitrous oxide thruster. In this paper, we surmised that the explosions were caused by the decomposition of nitrous oxide in the injector body and the recondensation of nitrous oxide. Improvement and the safe handling methods are suggested.
Keywords
Nitrous Oxide; Explosion; Oxidizer; Accident; Rocket;
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  • Reference
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