Catalysis Today, Vol.75, No.1-4, 277-285, 2002
Oxidation of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine over heterogeneous catalysts - Solution of environmental problems of production, storage and disposal of highly toxic rocket fuels
The catalytic oxidation of unsymmetrical dimethythydrazine (UDMH) by air has been studied in a vibro-fluidized catalyst bed laboratory kinetic setup over catalysts CuxMg1-xCr2O4/gamma-Al2O3, 32.9%Ir/gamma-Al2O3 and beta-Si3N4 in a temperature range 150-400 degreesC. The catalyst CuxMg1-xCr2O4/gamma-Al2O3 was found to be optimal regarding high yields of CO2 and low yields of NOx. A probable mechanism of UDMH heterogeneous catalytic oxidation is proposed. Catalyst CuxMg1-xCr2O4/gamma-Al2O3 has been further used in the pilot plant specially designed for the destruction of UDMH. Results of testing the main fluidized bed catalytic reactor for UDMH oxidation and the reactor for selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3 are presented. These results prove that the developed UDMH destruction technology is highly efficient and environmentally safe.
Keywords:rocket fuels;unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine;catalytic oxidation;oxide catalysts;noble metal catalysts;nitride catalysts;fluidized bed reactor;NOx reduction