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Nitrous Oxide Decomposition Using Inductively Heated Heat Exchangers

Published Online:22 Jul 2020https://doi.org/10.2514/1.B37793

Abstract

Three different heat exchangers (copper metal foam, copper disks, and stainless-steel disks) with lower effective surface areas than nominal catalysts used in thrusters were tested for nitrous oxide decomposition. These heat exchangers were preheated to thermal decomposition temperatures using an inductive heating system and placed in a vacuum bell jar to mitigate heat loss to the environment. Testing with copper metal foam resulted in complete degradation of the heat exchanger due to oxidation from nitrous oxide decomposition. A set of copper disks, uniquely designed to maximize tortuosity of the flow, was implemented in an attempt to address the oxidation issues. While the preliminary test did confirm steady-state decomposition of nitrous oxide within the heat exchanger, further tests resulted in temperatures exceeding the melting point of copper within the disks. The last heat exchanger was a set of stainless-steel disks of the same design. Repeated tests all successfully achieved steady-state decomposition of nitrous oxide within a 2 min interval.

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