A chemical that is commonly utilized for batteries of electric vehicles could also develop a cleaner and more efficient fuel for present-day space rockets, a new study suggests.
Ammonia Borane vs. Hydrocarbon
IN SPACE - FEBRUARY 8: In this handout photo provided by SpaceX, a Tesla roadster launched from the Falcon Heavy rocket with a dummy driver named "Starman" heads towards Mars.
The University of California Riverside scholars led the study to learn more about the corresponding benefits of the battery chemical known as ammonia borane, which keeps and stores hydrogen in the fuel cells of modern electric vehicles.
Common rocket fuels utilized in many projects and space ventures today are based on hydrocarbons. Although it serves as a great option for performance, hydrocarbon-based fuels inflict consequences on the natural environment.
Hydrocarbon fuels can harm the soil through poisoning. The problem could escalate to public health risk, as it can cause cancer for humans. In addition, the abnormal presence of excessive hydrocarbons in the atmosphere could formulate acid rains.
Compared to the effects of hydrocarbon-based fuels, ammonia borane emits compounds such as water and boron oxide that are proven to be much less toxic. Aside from its eco-friendly characteristics, the experts found that ammonia borane could also elevate the efficacy of rocket fuels from the maximum limits we have today.
Ammonia borane produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions, contains a higher energy capacity, and is much more affordable than the current rocket fuels. Moreover, the chemical does not require any specialized frozen storage.
Many enterprises could lessen their expenses by utilizing ammonia borane-based rocket fuels. Producing the same amount of hydrocarbon-based fuels in the new choice can bring a lower cost per launch.
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Efficient, Cheap, and Better Performance in Ammonia Borane-Based Rocket Fuel
University of California's chemical engineering expert and lead author of the study Prithwish Biswas said in a DailyMail report that their research was the first to present how ammonia borane could work not just on electric vehicles in rocket ships under the correct setup.
The mega constellation of orbital satellites from Rocket Lab or SpaceX could also benefit from the functionality of the ammonia borane fuels.
In traditional hydrocarbon-based fuels, the release of energy is supported by combustion. The process heavily relies on chemicals such as oxidizers and catalysts along with an extra supply of oxygen.
Co-author Pankaj Ghildiyal explained that current spacecraft require high energy levels at a short moment before being combusted by a catalyst, which does not contribute to the required energy for the rockets. Seemingly, the process makes the fuel a dead mass in the gas tank of the craft.
Ammonia borane is still not considered by the rocket fuel industry as an alternative due to its chemical decomposition that keeps the maximum release of its energy when it reacts with oxidizers.
In the new study, experts have discovered an approach to extract the full energy capacity of ammonia borane through the help of a particular oxidizer that could alter its chemical decomposition. In this way, the combustion can be processed solely by the oxidizer and with the catalysts out of the equation.
The new type of fuel is as stable as the rocket fuels available in our time. It could also resist high temperatures, such as during atmospheric transits. Its nanoparticles could decay once used up but are guaranteed to keep the environment safe from chemical toxicity.
The study was published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry C, titled "Rerouting Pathways of Solid-State Ammonia Borane Energy Release."
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