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Propellants Explosives Pyrotechnics, Vol.44, No.3, 379-382, 2019
Experimental Evaluation of Sodium-Water Reaction (SWR) as Propellant
The first results of a new line of research are presented, focused on producing rocket propulsion based upon the chemical reaction of two of the most abundant and affordable substances in nature: water and sodium. We have chosen SWR (Sodium Water Reaction) as a fuel candidate for an advanced propellant because of its excellent energetic properties, the absence of polluting products and the simplicity of sodium synthesis process, resulting in a new clean and sustainable energy source for rocket science that facilitates the replacement of current expensive and toxic reactants with a natural low-cost renewable fuel. We have accomplished the characterization of the Sodium Water Reaction as a function of the nature of the reactants and the geometry of the reactor, including the assessment of the performance in a dedicated device.