Eventos Anais de eventos
COBEM 2017
24th ABCM International Congress of Mechanical Engineering
Synthesis and evaluation of a tubular catalytic reactor for micropropulsion applications
Submission Author:
Gustavo Elicker Coelho , SC
Co-Authors:
Cezar Jr. Velho, Rafael de Camargo Catapan, Gustavo Elicker Coelho
Presenter: Gustavo Elicker Coelho
doi://10.26678/ABCM.COBEM2017.COB17-2609
Abstract
The development of miniaturized satellites has been studied over the years but there are still many challenges along with it. In spacecraft propulsion system, small-scale combustion may lead to insufficient propellant decomposition resulting in flame quenching. However, reducing the propulsion system size is not the unique main concern. The use of a non toxic and stable propellant, like ethanol, is important. The objective of this present work is to develop a catalytic tubular reactor to be used as a combustion chamber of a microthruster fed with ethanol and air. Alumina tubes were washcoated and impregnated with nickel onto tubes walls. Morphology was made by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Outlet gases were analyzed in gas chromatography (GC) connected to the reactor outlet to quantify and qualify the combustion products. Images from SEM showed a washcoat thickness of 2.43 µm (± 0.64 µm). Number of immersions did not influence on washcoat thickness. However, each immersion had filled empty spaces between tube irregularities and washcoat layer as long as the tubes were immersed. Cracks on metal surface were formed due to over limit metal saturation. Accentuated increase in methane (CH4) and hydrogen (H2) molar fractions was related to catalytic ignition which had occurred between 450 and 475 oC.
Keywords
microreactor, washcoat, ethanol, nickel
