Thermal Decomposition Kinetics of Kerosene-based Rocket Propellants. 3. RP-2 with Varying Concentrations of the Stabilizing Additive 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroquinoline

Published

December 8, 2010

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.

Citation

Energy and Fuels

Volume

25

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

Complex fluids, hydrocarbon mixtures, hydrogen donors, kerosene fuel, rocket propellant, RP-2, stabilizer, 1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroquinoline, THQ, trans-decahydronaphthalene, decalin, thermal decomposition

Citation

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 27, 2025)