As a power source The
V-2 rocket used
hydrogen peroxide decomposed by a liquid
sodium permanganate catalyst solution as a gas generator. This was used to drive a
turbopump to pressurize the main
LOX-
ethanol propellants. In the
Saturn V F-1 and
Space Shuttle main engine, some of the main propellant was burned to drive the turbopump (see
gas-generator cycle and
staged combustion cycle). The gas generator in these designs uses a highly fuel-rich mix to keep flame temperatures relatively low. The Space Shuttle
auxiliary power unit and the
F-16 emergency power unit (EPU) use
hydrazine as a fuel. The gas drives a turbine which drives
hydraulic pumps. In the F-16 EPU it also drives an
electric generator. Gas generators have also been used to power
torpedoes. For example, the US Navy
Mark 16 torpedo was powered by
hydrogen peroxide. A concentrated solution of
hydrogen peroxide is known as
high-test peroxide and decomposes to produce oxygen and water (steam). : 2 H2O2 -> 2 H2O + O2
Hydrazine decomposes to mixtures of nitrogen, hydrogen and ammonia. The reaction is strongly exothermic and produces high volume of hot gas from small volume of liquid.2 NaN3 -> 2 Na + 3 N2 The resulting sodium is hazardous, so other materials are added, e.g. potassium nitrate and silica, to convert it to a silicate glass.
Oxygen generation A
chemical oxygen generator delivers breathable oxygen at a controlled rate over a prolonged period. Sodium, potassium, and lithium
chlorates and
perchlorates are used. == See also ==