Manganese oxide lanthanum-doped alumina catalyst for application in 95 wt.% hydrogen peroxide thruster

Abstract

In this study, a manganese oxide lanthanum-doped alumina (MnOx/La/Al2O3) catalyst was employed for application in a 95 wt.% hydrogen peroxide thruster. By employing 95 wt.% hydrogen peroxide rather than the conventional 87.5 wt.% hydrogen peroxide, specific impulse is expected to increase. However, a suitable catalyst is needed for the 95 wt.% hydrogen peroxide. Hence, the MnOx/La/Al2O3 catalyst and its reference catalyst, manganese oxide gamma-alumina (MnOx/γ-Al2O3) catalyst were tested by applying hot-firing tests using a 50 N thruster. The test results were examined in terms of characteristic velocity efficiency, catalyst loss rate, pressure instability, catalyst bed pressure drop, chamber pressure, and catalyst bed temperature. The MnOx/La/Al2O3 catalyst showed an equal characteristic velocity efficiency, six times lower catalyst loss rate, 20% lower increment in pressure instability, and 44% lower increment in catalyst bed pressure drop. Therefore, it is feasible to apply the MnOx/La/Al2O3 catalyst in 95 wt.% hydrogen peroxide thrusters.