Development of a Monolithic Catalytic Support by Additive Manufacturing

• Grant number: 17/09614-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2018
• End date: October 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Aerospace Engineering - Aerospace Propulsion
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Vieira
• Grantee: Ricardo Vieira
• Host Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São José dos Campos
• Associated researchers: Fernando Vernilli Júnior ; Jorge Vicente Lopes da Silva

Abstract

This work aims to develop a monolithic catalytic support for hydrogen peroxide decomposition for aerospace applications. The geometry of the monolithic catalyst will be studied and implemented in order to reach the induction time similar to those found in traditional catalyst pellets, however with a lower pressure drop. The new geometry will be built by additive manufacture using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technique. Firstly, a coating of the microparticles of the precursor oxide will be developed to promote adhesion between the particles during the additive manufacturing process of the sample. Then the parameters for the application of the SLS technique for the coated oxides will be defined experimentally. Finally, the catalytic support in monolithic form will be fabricated via SLS. The monolith will be impregnated with an active phase for hydrogen peroxide decomposition. The monolithic catalyst characterization will be performed using the following analysis: Specific Surface Area, Thermogravimetric Analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and X Ray Photoelectronic Spectroscopy. The analysis of the performance of the monolithic catalyst in the hydrogen peroxide decomposition will be carried out in a micro-thruster with theoretical thrust of 2 N. In this test the thrust, pressure and temperature in the propellant will be monitored. The results will be compared with the traditional catalyst pellets employed in this reaction. This work will be conducted in collaboration with Renato Archer's Three-Dimensional Technologies Division (DT3D) of the Information Technology Center (CTI) for the manufacture of monoliths. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DE OLIVEIRA, ISAIAS; VERNILLI, JR., FERNANDO; VIEIRA, RICARDO; LOPES DA SILVA, JORGE VICENTE. Obtainment of the alumina polyamide-coated spherical particles. Powder Technology, v. 356, p. 112-118, NOV 2019. (17/09614-2)