Small scale continuous processing of critical components – A viable alternative to avoid the obsolescence of chemicals needed for independent access to space

Small scale continuous processing of critical components – A viable alternative to avoid the obsolescence of chemicals needed for independent access to space

Zevenbergen, J.F.
van den Elshout, J.J.M.H.
Koning, R.
den Otter, J.H.
Olde, M.C.
de Koster, S.A.L.
van Lingen, J.N.J.

2022

To ensure that so-called critical compounds, which are substances that are produced by only one or in the worst case no Western supplier, are available for the European space sector, the transition of batch-wise to continuous processing can guarantee independent access to space. Already widely accepted in the pharmaceutical industry, it is still waiting for acceptance in the space and energetic materials industries. Several examples are provided to show that small scale production of critical components is technically possible, economically viable and an innovative way to sustain independent European access to space.

REACH
ITAR
Strategic independence
Propellants
Critical components
Obsolescence
Flow chemistry
Continuous processing

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:aeb55c03-3278-46ec-a69d-dc514407005a

968482

TNO, Den Haag

8th Edition of the Space Propulsion Conference, Estoril, Portugal, 9-13 May 2022, SP2022-382 (6 p.)

conference paper