Modeling and control for a monopropellant-powered actuator

This paper presents a physics based model for the process of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide on a manganese dioxide catalyst bed. This model is based upon reaction kinetics, and the thermodynamics of the process. An experimental setup is designed, and utilized to validate the model. During the experiments, hydrogen peroxide is sprayed on a heated manganese di-oxide bed, where it decomposes to release steam and oxygen at high temperatures, and pressures. These gases can be used to drive a pneumatic actuator. A solenoid valve is utilized to control the injection of the fuel into the chamber. For regulating the pressure in the chamber by controlling the injection of fuel, a pulse width modulation based control scheme has been developed. Preliminary control results for tracking of constant and low frequency sinusoidal reference pressure profiles are presented. These results further validate the model, and suggest that such a control approach may be feasible for driving a monopropellant-powered actuator.