Prediction of the concentration of hydrazine decomposition products along a granular catalytic bed

A decomposition chamber packed with catalyst granules is considered for the analysis. The decomposition chamber is divided into induction and post-induction regions. In the induction region the only relevant decomposition is that of hydrazine whereas in the post-induction region both decomposition of hydrazine and ammonia are considered. As the thickness of two phase region (hydrazine plus decomposition gases) is very small it is neglected. A computer programme based mainly on Runge-Kutta formulas with step size control is developed for simultaneously solving the differential equations encountered here. For different values of design parameters (bed loading and chamber pressure) the temperature and concentration profiles along the granular catalytic bed are plotted. The objective of the task is to analyse the processes in the decomposition chamber and to develop a computer programme to arrive at the bed loading, chamber pressure and length of the catalyst bed that would give the maximum specific impulse with a minimum pressure drop along the catalyst bed. The analytical results are validated with experimental results available in the literature and application of the analytical results to ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) 10 N orbit raising thruster design is illustrated.