- Author
- Jennings, R. R. | MacWilliams, D. C. | Foshee, W. C. | Katzer, M. F.
- Title
- Study to Optimize Gellant Polymer-Water Systems for the Control of Hypergolic Spills and Fires. Contractor Report.
- Coporate
- Dow Chemical U.S.A., Walnut Creek, CA
- Sponsor
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC
- Report
- NASA CR-2198, March 1973, 204 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Contract
- NAS-2-6532
- Keywords
- water | nitrogen tetroxide | fuels | additives | field tests | gelling agents | hydrazines | fire suppression
- Identifiers
- chemical identity of the gelling agent; scavengers for nitrogen tetroxide; scavenging agents for hydrazine and UDMH; general field set-up and mixing procedures; scaling study and uncontrolled fires; gelled water handling techniques; fire control and propellant deactivation; general concept and approach; helipad layout; mixing skis; Airborne Delivery Skid (ADS); operational procedure
- Abstract
- A system of buffered gelled water was developed to prevent and control fires from small spills of nitrogen tetroxide-(N₂O₄)-Aerozine 50-hypergolic fuel. Laboratory studies on various alkalis, buffers and seavengers for the fuel components are described. Chilling, and sodium acetate-acetic acid buffer was found to be best additive to the gelled water. Field tests are described and a delivery system (airborne) for the extinguishant is given.