Re:UCF researchers develop new rocket-propulsion system
by p1mrx on Saturday May 02, 2020 @08:07PM
(#23055880)
It looks like AlGalCo makes an aluminum-gallium alloy that produces hydrogen + aluminum oxide when mixed with water. This seems like it would be useless in space, because the oxygen is locked away until you run the waste through an aluminum smelter.
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Re:UCF researchers develop new rocket-propulsion system
by sitkack on Saturday May 02, 2020 @08:51PM
(#23056058)
Hmm, I wasn't thinking of re-usability for the aluminum. Just that it would keep the propellants in a safe state. water+alloy might be better than nasty toxic fluid + pressurized oxidizer. I am also not a rocket scientist.
Re:UCF researchers develop new rocket-propulsion system
by Armisael16 on Sunday May 03, 2020 @09:13AM
(#23058792)
It isn’t a question of reusable type - you need to have fuel and oxidizer to burn things. A truck can use atmospheric oxygen for the oxidizer; a rocket can’t.
I also imagine that the extra weight of the aluminum pucks would tank your Isp (though I suppose you might be able to make back some tank weight).
Re:UCF researchers develop new rocket-propulsion system
by sitkack on Monday May 04, 2020 @12:11PM
(#23069754)
I willfully? missed that the O in the water binds to the Al so is unavailable for combustion (it has to, otherwise what gets consumed?).
Oh, another take, it is a molecular pump that removes oxygen from the environment and turns it into water, via burning.