Nitrous Decomposition Hazards
Review the steps in understanding N20 decomposition hazards in order to safely and properly utilize one of the safest oxidizers being used in rocket propulsion systems.
Dr. Karabeyoglu
- Instructor
Offered by
Offered by
Description
Recently several hybrid rockets have used Nitrous oxide (N2O) as a propellant. The overall consensus is that N20 is much safer and easier to work with than liquid oxygen. It is more forgiving in terms of the temperatures it is kept and how it operates.
Even though N2O is a widely used energetic material, the number of decomposition related accidents are quite limited due to its abnormally slow decomposition kinetics.
However, hazards do exist, especially in propulsion systems where large quantities of N2O are stored at room temperature in thin walled vessels.
The closely coupled combustion chamber is a significant source for ignition which does not naturally exist in other applications. Explore the safety issues associated with N2O with emphasis on propulsion systems.
Review the steps in understanding N20 decomposition hazards in order to safely and properly utilize one of the safest oxidizers being used in rocket propulsion systems.
Topics Include
- N20 properties, production, and economy
- Decomposition and decomposition hazards
- Flow physics
- Decomposition modeling and testing
- Hazard mitigation methodologies
- Online
- Intakes: TBA
Meet your Instructor
Dr. Karabeyoglu is the President and Chief Technical Officer of Space Propulsion Group, Inc. He has received his Masters and Doctorate degrees from Stanford University.
He presently serves on the Expert Advisory Board that oversees the safe development of the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo rocket propulsion system and holds a Consulting Professor position at Stanford University.
Dr. Karabeyoglu has performed extensive research and development activities in the field of chemical propulsion and green energy with emphasis on the creation of new concepts and their implementation to real life systems. He has been the Program Manager and Principal Investigator for a wide range of programs for clients such as Air Force, NASA, FAA, Navy, and Scaled Composites.
Dr. Karabeyoglu has actively participated in a number of accident/mishap investigations including the Scaled Composites Tier 1B accident.
Dr. Karabeyoglu has numerous journal articles, conference papers and patents. In addition, he has authored a book chapter on the instabilities in hybrid rocket propulsion systems. In addition, Dr. Karabeyoglu has started a course on Advanced Rocket Propulsion at Stanford University which he has been teaching since 2005. He also has been co-instructing an AIAA short course on hybrid rocket propulsion.
He has served as the chairman of the AIAA’s Hybrid Technical Committee during the period 2009-2011.
Dr. Karabeyoglu is a member of the American Chemical Society and an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Dr. Frederick is Director of the UAH Propulsion Research Center. He has directed over 10 million dollars of research and published extensively. Topics include combustion stability of liquid injectors, solid propellant combustion, hybrid fuel combustion, thermal stability of hydrocarbon fuels, and characterization of rocket plume emissions.
He pioneered an international, team-based aerospace systems design laboratory that integrates students from Engineering, Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, and Business disciplines.
Dr. Frederick is an Associate Fellow of the AIAA and former chairman of the AIAA Hybrid Rocket Technical Committee.
He has been a technical advisor to NATO in solid propulsion. Dr. Frederick received his Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Purdue University in 1988.
His professional experience includes positions at Allison Turbine Engines, the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory, and Sverdrup Technology, AEDC Group.
He joined UAH in 1991.