Liquid monopropellant compositions
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsPaul B. Weill, Paul L. Darby
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Abstract
A three component liquid monopropellant composition, adaptable for provid underwater propulsion which comprises an amine salt, oxidant and a desensitizing quantity of water sufficient to provide cooling and steam generation. A method for providing underwater propulsion wherein the aforesaid liquid monopropellant is combusted in the combustion chamber of an underwater reaction motor.
Claims10
A liquid monopropellant adaptable for underwater propulsion which consists of an aqueous solution comprising;
- a. a secondary or tertiary amine salt of an oxidizing acid selected from the group consisting of perchloric acid and nitric acid
- b. a water soluble oxidant, and
- c. water present in an amount of at least 20% by weight of total composition when the amine salt is a nitric acid amine salt, and present in an amount of at least 35% by weight of total composition when the amine salt is a perchloric acid amine salt.
The method of preparing and igniting underwater monopropellants susceptible of being combusted into gaseous products which comprises the steps of:
- neutralizing a selected secondary or tertiary amine with an oxidizing acid from the group consisting of perchloric acid and nitric acid as a concentrated aqueous solution;
- stirring and cooling during the neutralizing step to maintain substantially ambient temperature;
- admixing a complementary water soluble oxidizer to allow for complete combustion;
- adding sufficient water to provide adequate safety in handling and storage while controlling combustion temperature;
- and
- injecting the monopropellant into a preheated and pressurized combustion chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.