Ferran Valencia Bel’s scientific contributions

This study aimed to assess the decomposition rate of highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide on catalyst samples, based on the various materials and the geometry of the supporting structures. The drop test method was used and involved delivering a droplet of hydrogen peroxide to a catalyst sample in a sealed chamber, and then measuring the pressure rise. Different sample groups showed various pressure increase rates, indicating differences in catalytic performance. The drop tests were followed by a material investigation to compare the morphology of the active layer produced on various substrates and the effects of the high-test peroxide (HTP) interaction with the surface after the tests. Qualitative tests of phase composition and chemical composition were also performed. Different substrates resulted in varying morphology based on material type, chemical composition, and porosity. The study was treated as a screening test to choose the best catalytic pack option for testing under thruster-like condition

As space activities continue to expand, with increasing numbers of launches and payloads, it becomes crucial to evaluate the environmental consequences of these developments. In this perspective, this study investigates the ground-phase environmental footprint of future in-space liquid bipropellant systems, focusing on MON3/MMH, 98%-HTP/RP-1, 98%-HTP/Ethanol, and N2O/Ethane. A lifecycle analysis from propellant production to the integration of the propulsion system into the launcher for a typical mission scenario identifies key environmental impact hotspots. The findings reveal that the production phase of MMH stands out as particularly detrimental, primarily due to its energy-demanding distillation process and its specialized, low-volume production tailored for space applications. The MON3/MMH system continues to show the highest contribution when considering the entire phases up to propellant loading due to stringent fuelling and decontamination processes. In terms of propulsive architecture, tank production, whether using titanium or aluminium, stands out as the primary environmental hotspot for dry architectures, with titanium proving more environmentally disruptive. In contrast, for wet architectures, the production of dry components constitutes most of the environmental impact, accounting for 95% of the total for HTP combinations and 64% for both MON3/MMH and self-pressurizing options.