Ignition and flow combustion characteristics of hydroxylammonium nitrate - based liquid propellant based on electric method

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Hydroxylamine nitrate (HAN)-based liquid propellants are characterized by high energy content and low toxicity ionic monopropellants, offering great potential application prospects in the space engine. This paper proposes an experimental system for electric ignition and combustion of HAN-based liquid propellant. The energy for decomposition, current, and combustion image of HAN-based liquid propellant are measured under different initial voltage, propellant volume, and the initial pressures in Ar and air atmospheres. The results show that the energy for decomposition decreased with an increase in initial voltage, propellant volume, and initial pressure. An increase in the initial voltage accelerates the reaction speed of HAN-based liquid propellant, and the energy for decomposition is approximately 3 J. An increase in the propellant volume decreases the equivalent resistance in the circuit, increasing the current and enhancing the thermal effect of the propellant. The accumulation of decomposition products and heat under high pressure reduced the energy for decomposition; the energy for decomposition is less than 1.5 J for the pressurization condition. Compared with the Ar atmosphere, the energy for decomposition of HAN-based liquid propellant shows better stability in the air atmosphere. The flow combustion device of HAN-based liquid propellant for the flow state is designed. The HAN-based liquid propellant is successfully ignited for different initial voltages and flow rates. The research results provide a reference for the design of space engine for HAN-based liquid propellant based on the electric ignition method.