NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.
Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.
An official website of the United States government
Here’s how you know
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Thermal Decomposition Kinetics of Kerosene-based Rocket Propellants. 3. RP-2 with Varying Concentrations of the Stabilizing Additive 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroquinoline
Published
Author(s)
Jason A. Widegren, Thomas J. Bruno
Abstract
The thermal stability of the kerosene-based rocket propellant RP-2 with varying concentrations of the stabilizing additive 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (THQ) was investigated. The mixtures studied were RP-2 + 0.1 % THQ, RP-2 + 0.5 % THQ, RP-2 + 1 % THQ, and RP-2 + 5% THQ. These were thermally stressed in sealed stainless steel reactors at 400 °C for 1 h to 4 h. The approximate initial pressure at the reaction temperature was 34.5 MPa (5000 psi). The extent of decomposition as a function of time was determined by analyzing the thermally stressed liquid phase by gas chromatography. The results with each THQ mixture were compared to the thermal stability of neat RP-2 under the same conditions. The thermal stability of the mixtures showed a clear dependence on the concentration of THQ. For example, the addition of 5% THQ slowed the rate of decomposition by approximately an order of magnitude, and the addition of 0.5% tetralin slowed the rate of decomposition by approximately 50%. We also report the results of another potential stabilizing additive, trans-decahydronaphthalene (decalin). We tested the thermal stability of RP-2 + 5 % decalin at temperatures of 375 °C, 400 °C, 425 °C, and 450 °C. Unlike THQ, the addition of 5 % decalin to RP-2 had no significant effect on the thermal stability of RP-2 in this temperature range.
Widegren, J.
and Bruno, T.
(2010),
Thermal Decomposition Kinetics of Kerosene-based Rocket Propellants. 3. RP-2 with Varying Concentrations of the Stabilizing Additive 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroquinoline, Energy and Fuels, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=905948
(Accessed October 9, 2025)