Electrosynthesis of HAN-Liquid Propellants

Abstract

Recently, a new frontier has been established which links the internal ballistics and electrochemical process communities through development and application of a novel aqueous liquid ammunition system based on high purity hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN) salt as the oxidizer for a mono-propellant.

Electrochemical Synthesis of High-Nitrogen Materials and Energetic Materials

“…The authors claimed that the use of excess nitric acid and strict temperature control was necessary to avoid unwanted side reactions that generated ammonia, nitrogen oxide, and nitrogen dioxide. 24 The authors also used a Pt-plated anode and a perfluorinated membrane to separate the anolyte and catholyte. The reaction proceeds via a six-electron reduction of nitric acid to yield 0.5 equiv of 1 (Scheme 1).…”

“…The reaction proceeds via a six-electron reduction of nitric acid to yield 0.5 equiv of 1 (Scheme 1). As of 1994, the use of continuous flow cell electrolysis has produced 70 000 kg of 1 per year at a concentration of 13 M. 24 The use of a high hydrogen overpotential electrode material, such as mercury, is necessary due to the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction that takes place in acidic media. However, the use of mercury is not ideal due to its toxicity.…”

“…This was done by reducing a molar excess of nitric acid using a high hydrogen overpotential cathode (e.g., mercury) in a temperature-controlled cell (<50 °C). The authors claimed that the use of excess nitric acid and strict temperature control was necessary to avoid unwanted side reactions that generated ammonia, nitrogen oxide, and nitrogen dioxide . The authors also used a Pt-plated anode and a perfluorinated membrane to separate the anolyte and catholyte.…”

“…The reaction proceeds via a six-electron reduction of nitric acid to yield 0.5 equiv of 1 (Scheme ). As of 1994, the use of continuous flow cell electrolysis has produced 70 000 kg of 1 per year at a concentration of 13 M …”

In Situ Spectroscopic Determination of Faradaic Efficiencies in Systems with Forced Convection under Steady State: Electroreduction of Bisulfite to Dithionite on Gold in an Aqueous Electrolyte

“…Electrosynthesis provides an expedient route for the industrial production of a variety of high-valued chemicals, including chlorine, 1 adiponitrile, 2 hydroxylamine nitrate, 3 and certain perfluorinated alkanes. 4 In addition to cell design considerations and electrode stability, the overall efficiency of these processes is often controlled by the kinetics of heterogeneous electron transfer, as well as by the rates of preceding and subsequent chemical reactions.…”