AVEKA, Inc. proposes the use of nanophase aluminum/hydrocarbon slurries produced by its proprietary process with a novel gelling agent to form an inexpensive gelled propellant. AVEKA's Gas Evaporative Reactor (GER) process produces nanophase aluminum slurries in hydrocarbon fluids. These slurries can be gelled easily using a unique, low molecular weight gelling agent. An ability to "melt" these gelled materials may allow utilization of these proposed propellants in normal liquid fuel systems with only slight modifications to preheat these fuels. The new propellant will be produced and evaluated with regard to its stability and rheological properties at AVEKA. Combustion testing on the propellant will be done at the University of Alabama-Huntsville Propulsion Research Center. The anticipated result of this research is a safe, reliable and low cost alternative to the current solid and liquid propellants. This proposed work will have commercial applications in upper stage and heavy lift vehicles for both the civilian and military space programs. It can also be utilized in various tactical and strategic missile programs, in the formulation of high performance fuels and in ejector devices for aerospace vehicles.
