Monopropellant hydrogen peroxide fuel compositions suitable for use in no oxygen environments

Abstract

The invention describes a monopropellant fuel that is a mixture in water of a water-soluble hydrocarbon fuel and hydrogen peroxide, where the hydrocarbon fuel and hydrogen peroxide are present in an approximately stoichiometric amount calculated to produce only carbon dioxide and water, wherein water is present in an amount at least 30% of the total weight of the monopropellant fuel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A monopropellant fuel comprising a mixture in water of a water-soluble hydrocarbon fuel and hydrogen peroxide, where the hydrocarbon fuel and hydrogen peroxide are present in an approximately stoichiometric amount as calculated to produce only carbon dioxide and water, wherein water is present in an amount at least 30% of the total weight of the monopropellant fuel. 
     
     
         2 . The monopropellant fuel of  claim 1  wherein the water is present in an amount of about 30% to about 50% of the total weight of the fuel. 
     
     
         3 . The monopropellant fuel of  claim 1  wherein the hydrocarbon fuel is present in an amount of from about 8% to about 12% of the total weight of the fuel. 
     
     
         4 . The monopropellant fuel of  claim 1  wherein the hydrocarbon fuel and the hydrogen peroxide deviate less than about 10% by weight of amount calculated to provide the stoichiometric by-products of carbon dioxide and water. 
     
     
         5 . The monopropellant fuel of  claim 1  having a fuel energy density more than 1100 BTUs per pound. 
     
     
         6 . The monopropellant fuel of  claim 1  having a fuel energy density more than 10,000 BTUs per gallon. 
     
     
         7 . The monopropellant fuel of  claim 1  having a flame temperature greater than about 2300° F. 
     
     
         8 . The monopropellant fuel of  claim 1  wherein the hydrocarbon fuel is a water-soluble hydrocarbon compound consisting of hydrogen and from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms wherein the combustion products are primarily carbon dioxide and water. 
     
     
         9 . The monopropellant fuel of  claim 8  having a fuel energy density more than 1100 BTUs per pound. 
     
     
         10 . The monopropellant fuel of  claim 8  having a fuel energy density more than 10,000 BTUs per gallon. 
     
     
         11 . The monopropellant fuel of  claim 8  having a flame temperature greater than about 2300° F. 
     
     
         12 . The monopropellant fuel of  claim 8  wherein the water is present in an amount of about 30% to about 50% of the total weight of the fuel. 
     
     
         13 . The monopropellant fuel of  claim 8  wherein the hydrocarbon fuel is present in an amount of from about 8% to about 12% of the total weight of the fuel. 
     
     
         14 . The monopropellant fuel of  claim 8  wherein the hydrocarbon fuel and the hydrogen peroxide deviate less than about 10% by weight of amount calculated to provide the stoichiometric by-products of carbon dioxide and water. 
     
     
         15 . A monopropellant fuel consisting essentially of a mixture in water of a water-soluble hydrocarbon fuel and hydrogen peroxide, where the hydrocarbon fuel and hydrogen peroxide are present in an approximately stoichiometric amount as calculated to produce carbon dioxide and water. 
     
     
         16 . The monopropellant fuel of  claim 15  wherein the water is present in an amount of about 30% to about 50% of the total weight of the fuel. 
     
     
         17 . The monopropellant fuel of  claim 15  wherein the hydrocarbon fuel is present in an amount of from about 8% to about 12% of the total weight of the fuel. 
     
     
         18 . The monopropellant fuel of  claim 15  wherein the hydrocarbon fuel and the hydrogen peroxide deviate less than about 10% by weight of amount calculated to provide the stoichiometric by-products of carbon dioxide and water. 
     
     
         19 . The monopropellant fuel of  claim 15  having a fuel energy density more than 1100 BTUs per pound. 
     
     
         20 . The monopropellant fuel of  claim 15  wherein the hydrocarbon fuel is a water-soluble hydrocarbon compound consisting of hydrogen and from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms wherein the combustion products are primarily carbon dioxide and water.