N2O Decomposition on Ru/Si-doped Alumina Catalyst for Monopropellant Thruster

Myoungjin Kim; Taegyu Kim

doi:10.6108/JPNE.2025.5.1.089

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2025 Vol.5, Issue 1 Preview Page

Research Article

N₂O Decomposition on Ru/Si-doped Alumina Catalyst for Monopropellant Thruster

31 May 2025. pp. 89-98

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Abstract

In the present study, ruthenium (Ru) catalysts supported on silicon-doped alumina (Si-Al₂O₃) were prepared and catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide (N₂O) on the Ru/Si-Al₂O₃ catalyst at high temperatures were investigated. The Si-Al₂O₃ was heat-treated at a high temperature of 1200°C. The effect of Si addition on Al₂O₃ surface structure was investigated using SEM/EDS and XRD analysis. The N₂O decomposition on the prepared catalysts was evaluated as the reaction temperature increased. It was shown that Si addition prevented the γ-Al₂O₃ phase transforming to α-Al₂O₃. The Ru/Si-Al₂O₃ catalyst showed a superior reactivity for the N₂O decomposition. A subscale N₂O monopropellant thruster containing the Ru/Si-Al₂O₃ catalyst chamber was manufactured. The temperature of 300°C was required to start N₂O decomposition. The chamber temperature increased to 1063°C at N₂O mass flow rate of 1.93 g/s. The chamber pressure was 5 bar at 1063°C; thus, the c*-efficiency was calculated as 89.05%.

Keywords

Nitrous oxide

Monopropellant

Ruthenium catalyst

Alumina support

Phase transformation

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Information

Publisher :The Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
Publisher(Ko) :한국추진공학회
Journal Title :Journal of Propulsion and Energy
Journal Title(Ko) :Free Open Access International Journal on Propulsion and Energy Science and Technology
Volume : 5
No :1
Pages :89-98
Received Date : 2025-03-13
Revised Date : 2025-05-09
Accepted Date : 2025-05-13
DOI :https://doi.org/10.6108/JPNE.2025.5.1.089

Journal of Propulsion and Energy ISSN:2734-1887(Print) 2765-0049(Online) Free Open Access International Journal on Propulsion and Energy Science and Technology

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