Methanol based hypergolic mixtures are proven to work, they are the so called
Block 0 mixtures. They are basically methanol with manganese acetate
tetrahydrate. Potassium permanganate was actually used by the germans as a
liquid catalyst mixed with water. It has been used as solid catalyst when
supported by tiny alumina balls, it can be bought off china if need be. But as
I mentioned before, achieving hypergolic ignition and then switching to
kerosene is the goal. Keroxide operates at a higher mixture ratio and has a
slightly higher specific impulse, the high impulse density makes it almost
comparable to kerolox.
From: hkeithhenson@xxxxxxxxx
Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2016 23:23:31 -0700
Subject: [AR] Re: arocket Digest V4 #187
To: arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
There is a mention in passing of permanganate in alcohol as fuel and
catalyst. I would think such a mix would be hypergolic. How well
does it work?
Long ago, when I was in junior high, I evaporated some 30% hair bleach
H2O2 in an aluminum pie tin on top of the heating ducts. I don't know
how high the concentration went, but it became thick like syrup.
Dropped a pinch of permanganate in it and instant hot steam.
Keith
