LES 4: 5,4,3,2,1... Blast off!

By: Vicky

In this presentation, I will be describing;

-how a multistage rocket works

-what are hypergolic propellants

-the combinations of fuel and oxidizer

and how to chose the best propellant for this mission.

Multistage Rocket and advantages

A multistage rocket, is a rocket which is propelled with gases, it emits from burning the fuel. A multistage rocket is designed of two or more parts stacked on top or attached parallel to each other.

The advantages of using a multistage rocket are that, when a section become empty it is jettisoned from the aircraft, which reduces the mass of the rocket. Therefore, the rocket becomes lighter, and is able to reach faster heights with higher velocities.

Hypergolic Propellants

Hypergolic propellants are fuel and

oxidizers, which don`t need no ignition

source, but ignite when they come in

contact together.

Can be easy to ignite reliably and

repeatedly over and over again.

How to choose the right

propellant?

When choosing the right propellant many factors

must be taken under consideration.

- The environmental impact of using reactants and releasing

products into the environment

- The safety and toxicity of the reactants

- The mass of the propellant

- Use of an ignition system

The best propellant must be chosen from these four reactants, which we were given.

1. Hydrogen and Oxygen

2. Methyl hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide

3. N-dedocane and oxygen

4. Ethanol and oxygen

Hydrogen and oxygen When hydrogen and oxygen react together, they produce an enthalpy change per gram of propellant : delta H= -13.43 kj/g

Environmental impacts Together they produce nothing but water vapour, which doesn`t harm the environment.

Safety and handling

Hydrogen- Needs to be kept in a hard, well sealed tank. Very flammable, therefore keep away from any ignition source.

Oxygen- Flammable in contact with another gas , can cause fire and or suffocation. Can be dangerous if compressed, in large amounts.

Methylhydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide

When methylhydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide react together they produce an enthalpy change per gram of propellant:

Delta H= -4000.44 Kj/g

Environmental impacts

These reactants have several bad impacts on the environment. Methylhydrazine is bad for human health, since it can cause cancer, since it is really toxic. Methylhydrazine also combustes spontaniously.

The reaction of both the methylhydrazine and the nitrogen tetrosxide causes for the groundwater and surface water to have a greater nitrogen concentration, which id bad for living organims.

Safety and handling

Methylhydrazine- It is a flammable. It is a dangerous fire and explosion hazard. Explodes in contact with oxygen or when heated. Must be stored, to avoid contact with strong acids. Keep in a well sealed, ventilated room away from any, spark making tools and flammable items.

Nitrogen Tetroxide- It is very corrosive. When mixed with a fuel it produces an explosion. It must be stored in a well ventilated space, and the room should maintain a moderate temperature.

N-dedocane and oxygen The reaction of N-dedocane and oxygen of an enthalpy change per gram of propellant:

Delta H= -9.94 Kj/g

Envrionmental impacts

N-dedocane is harmful when swallowed or inhaled. The product of this reaction is carbon dioxide which as bad impacts on the environment. Carbon dioxide is one principal greenhouse gas, which destroys the environment little by little and is causing global warming.

Safety and handling

N-dedocane - Because of its toxicity, it must be kept in a sealed and container. It must not be breathed in, or else is fatal.

Oxygen- Flammable in contact with another gas , can cause fire and or suffocation. Can be dangerous if compressed, in large amounts.

Ethanol and oxygen When ethanol and oxygen react together they produce an enthalpy change per gram of propellant:

Delta H = -8.70 Kj/g

Environmental impacts

For most of it, ethanol and carbon dioxide are bad for the environment. Ethanol is toxic when ingested. Carbon dioxide is bad because it is one principal greenhouse gas, which destroys the environment little by little and is causing global warming.

Safety and handling

Ethanol- Since it is flammable, keep away from any heat, sparks and oxidizers. Keep in dry, cool, ventilated storage. May melt some plastics and rubber, if not thick.

Oxygen- Flammable in contact with another gas , can cause fire and or suffocation. Can be dangerous if compressed, in large amounts.

Choosing a Propellant

Considering all of the criteria needed to chose the appropriate propellant, I have chosen Hydrogen and Oxygen.

These are the reasons why I chose this reactant.

1. It is almost completely harmless.

2. The impacts on the environment are do not cause any damage.

3. It`s mass is not large.

4. Safe to handle and to store

In conclusion, with all the possible

reactants given, and with researching

about them all, I think that the Hydrogen

and Oxygen is the best choice. Because

it is safe and more or less harmful for

the environment and living things.

Multistage rocket

http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/m/multistage_rocket.htm I used this site to find out what a multistage rocket was, and its advantages.

Methylhydrazine http://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/1265.pdf I used this site to find the information about the safety and handling of this reactant. And also the impacts it can have on humans as well and the environment.

Nitrogen tetroxide http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/404805.pdf I used this document to find how to handle this element carefully.

Ethanol

http://www.distill.com/materialsafety/msds-eu.html I used this site to find out the safety and handling of ethanol.